No audio from computer

[bisl]

I just set up my steam link yesterday. When in the steam link menu, prior to connecting to my computer, I can hear the ambient menu sound, as well as the sounds when I'm moving around between buttons. However, as soon as I connect to my computer, the audio stops completely. There are no sounds from the steam big-picture interface on the TV, and no sound when I load up games.

Possibly related, Steam Link doesn't seem to be detecting the correct monitor as my primary display in the Resolution settings page. I don't know whether it's possible for it to take audio from a specific screen.

I've tried power-cycling the TV, the link, and my computer, and none of it worked. Sadly this is the extent of the steam link troubleshooting pages for audio issues.

[Noctys]

Having the exact same issue. If you find a solution let me know. I'll do the same.

[bisl]

I'm curious if anyone can specify exactly how Steam captures the audio that it streams to the Steam Link. Is it just whatever device is set to the Default Device in windows? The Steam UI and the Big Picture Mode both have very basic sound configuration options so I don't even know where to start looking.

[Zeaig]

I am having the same issue, And i cannot explain why. This works perfectly on my laptop but while using my desktop i have no audio. And i noticed even without the steam link, When i enter big picture mode on my Desktop i don't get audio either. All other sound on the PC works fine, But it will not stream to the steam link, Nor will big picture audio work on my PC or Steam Link.

[Noctys]

I was able to get it working by tweaking some settings on my receiver. So this was probably not a Steam Link issue. However, I am disappointed that the audio is not 5.1 surround.

[bisl]

I just found a solution to my problem as well. In my case, Steam Link just can't seem to stream audio from the audio interface that outputs to my speakers. I played around, setting different interfaces as the Default Device in windows until one of them worked. Steam Link will only capture audio from the audio interface marked as the Default Device.

Moreover, it enumerates the interfaces only when you connect to the host PC, and captures audio from whatever device is the Default Device at that time. Then, regardless of changes to the Default Device while streaming, it will continue to capture from that device until streaming is stopped.

So, in my case, I have to configure my headset as the Default Device for all sound, then connect the Steam Link to the PC for streaming, and then move Default Device back to my speakers. I disabled HDMI device control on my TV as well, so I can turn off the TV without it causing the Steam Link to turn off. So it'll just be streaming 24/7, or as long as I can hold the connection open.

I really hope valve either fixes the underlying cause, or at least allows for specification of the audio interface in configuration. This is all pretty tedious to get working.

[IgnisAnatis]

@blsl Your answer solved my problems!
I had problems with super low volume when my selected audio device was my Kraken Chroma Headset. So I had to crank up the amplifier as hell and had noise in the background.

So for me the correct solution was the following:

- Stop streaming with the Steam Link / Switch off the Steam Link
- Close Steam on my computer
- Switching the Audio Device (just used my default Realteck Digital Audio Device)
- Start Steam again
- Strart Streaming with Steam Link
- Nice and clear Audio!

[Remlish]

The other option "should" be to just unplug your headphones from the pc before starting steam.
Mid to High end headphones ofter contain thier own audio driver, but since you cant send that signal to another source the outcome will always be no sound on the steam link.

An easy test to determin wether or not this is your issue is to launch a game and put on your headphones, you should be able to hear the game.

[AwesomeScott]

This is a huge pain because if I forget to switch my default device from my usb headphones before going up 2 flights of stairs to use my steam link, I have to walk all the way back downstairs.

Is there a way in windows 10 to always output to realtek audio and my usb headphones, or set steamlink to hijack the headphone channel instead?

[AVFCThomas]

This is making me go insane, was working perfectly earlier as intended, and suddenly I have no sound on the TV when using the Steam Link, great so I can now play my games with no sound

[zippy_78753]

If you haven't tried it yet, go to the audio settings page and select something other than Stereo, go back to the main menu, then back to the audio settings and select Stereo. Then try streaming.

[Qwicked1]

I have the same problem if my Razer Kraken USB headset is setup as the default audio. I have to go to the PC and set my onboard audio output as default for it to work.

[sherpa]

Still an issue for me. Headphones need to be plugged in to the Realtek HD on-board sound card for the device to be enabled in Windows to stream to the Link.

My default sound is output via AMD HDMI to the monitor's speakers- but the Link won't stream audio like this.

[Wygos]

Piece of ♥♥♥♥ garbage steamlink.
Was working for 2 days Steam got updated and now i have no sound in big picture even on my computer.
WTF?!!! anyone solved this?

[Mooster]

Solution:
-Go to audio settings.
-Right click on the steam setting.
-Disable, or remove or something similar.
(This can also be done with microphones.)


This worked on my laptop, hopefully it should work on other platforms

[Lord High Ragamuffin]

I am completely confused.