Steam controller USB dongle PC audio problem

[GrudgeMaxx]

Hello!

I recently got a Steam Controller and Steam Link, and the issues I have come across are maddening, but none more so than this one:

Audio works fine on my PC before and after I plug the USB dongle into said PC. However, when I unplug the USB dongle from my PC, all audio on my computer stops. I cannot get it to play audio again on my wireless headset OR my computer speakers. I have tried everything I know to bring it back, but nothing can seem to bring it back, including powercycling the PC.

I feel like I need to do something with the audio drivers, but I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to the world of anything of that sort in my PC.


Thanks for listening!

-richare192

[GrudgeMaxx]

Sorry, but I need to bump this. This issue has caused me to lose all audio in my computer, and I can't figure out how to fix this myself. Anyone have some steps I can try? Thanks

[Forcen]

You should start listing the things you have tried besides excluding the reboot.
Tried checking what the default audio output device is currently? Know how to do that?

What operating system are you using?

[GrudgeMaxx]

I use Windows 10.

I have tried reconnecting the USB dongle, and tried disabling/reenabling the Steam Streaming Microphone and Steam Streaming Speakers. I haven't yet tried messing with any other audio drivers. Kind of worried I might break something.

As for the default audio output device, I check the list of playback devices (Steam streaming microphone/speakers, Realtek High Definition Audio, HP27xw Intel(R) Display Audio). After powering the computer back on, the Realtek High Definition Audio was selected, so I am assuming that is the one listed as the default.

[Forcen]

If you click the volume icon in the bottom right then you can switch output devices just above the volume slider, try the different ones.

You didn't list any headsets when you mentioned the devices.

Also if you search the start menu for "troubleshoot" then you should find the windows settings menu with the troubleshooting things. Try the one for audio playback and follow the steps.
It's in settings>uppdates and security>troubleshoot if you can't search it.
If the steps didn't work then restart and try another option, for example try another audio device at the start.

Another thing to try, try unchecking the steam setting that makes it start with windows if you have that enabled and reboot the PC without starting Steam.

[GrudgeMaxx]

Here are the things I tried in order:

I unplugged the Steam controller dongle.
I disabled the Steam startup setting.
Tried the troubleshooting audio procedure. Restarted the computer when it reinstalled the audio driver. Still no audio.
Discovered my wireless headset isn't responding to any buttons on it that I hit. Also isn't connecting to its USB dongle. That can't be good.
Lastly, I tried unplugging the Razer keyboard's headphone cable from the headphone jack and tried plugging in an old set of earbuds. It WORKED. Also, unplugging cables from that audio jack got sound to work in the speakers ONLY if the headset dongle was not connected.

I believe the issue stemmed from a dying headset, though it acted up only rarely until that moment I disconnected the Steam controller dongle. Last night it was also wirelessly disconnecting and reconnecting constantly until it ran out of battery and I could try again today. I half wonder if the headset (which is an Afterglow model, and didn't show up in the list of playback devices when I listed them) had a bad interaction with the Steam controller system.

Just a weird nasty coincidence. I will be purchasing a new headset.

Thanks for your patience.

[Forcen]

Wait, you got speakers also though? Did you get sound working through them?

Buying a new headset won't fix your speakers..
EDIT: wait, i didn't pay attention.
Great that it worked.

Audio drivers/cards often mute the speakers when you plug stuff in headphones, maybe it got confused and never unmuted them.

Tip if you plan to use the NEW wireless headset with the steam link, you can disable audio streaming with the link and keep using the headset wirelessly from the PC. It's in the streaming settings if you hit Y.