Fixed – Failed To Play Test Tone on Windows PC

When testing sound drivers, if you encounter “Failed to play test tone” or something similar, this post is for you. Here, explain how to fix the problem.

Audio issues on Windows can be frustrating. Luckily, there are straightforward ways to fix them, and we share step-by-step instructions to do so in this post. So, without delay, let’s first understand why this problem occurs, followed by the fixes.

Why Does The Failed To Play Test Tone On Windows PC Occur

• If your audio drivers are outdated, corrupted, or incompatible, they may fail to properly communicate with the sound hardware, leading to errors when playing the test tone.
• Certain audio enhancement features can sometimes interfere with sound output, leading to errors like this.
• The Windows Audio service handles audio playback. If this service is stopped or not running properly, it can prevent the test tone from being played.
• Corrupted system files or Windows’ audio subsystem issues can also cause audio-related errors.
• If your sound card, audio drivers, or speakers are physically damaged or malfunctioning, the test tone may not play.

Fix No Audio From Speakers, Failed To Play Test Tone Error

Method 1 – Reboot PC

Experts suggest a quick restart can help refresh the system and resolve minor glitches. To restart, close any open applications, press Alt + F4, right-click the Start menu, and select Shut down or sign out > Restart.

Method 2 – Activate The Audio Troubleshooter

Windows includes a built-in troubleshooter for resolving minor audio issues. It can help diagnose and fix problems related to audio settings, driver configurations, and hardware. Here’s how to use it:

1. Press Win + X to open the Power menu and click on Settings.
2. In the Settings menu, go to System > Troubleshoot.

3. Click on Other troubleshooters.

4. Next to the Playing Audio troubleshooter, click the Run button.

Method 3 – Reboot The Windows Audio Service

The Windows Audio service controls sound on your computer, and if it stops running, it may cause the test tone to fail. To resolve this, you need to restart the Windows Audio service. Here’s how:

1. Click Start, type services.msc, and hit the Enter key.
2. The Services box lists all the services alphabetically. Press “W” and find Windows Audio.

3. Double-click on Windows Audio, and the Properties window will open.
4. In the  General tab, choose Automatic from the Startup type.

5. Under Service status, click Stop and wait a few moments.
6. Afterward, click Start to restart the service.
8. Click Apply > OK to save the changes.
9. Close the Services window and open any audio application to check if the test tone is now playing.

Method 4 – Disable Audio Enhancements

Windows’ audio enhancement tool enhances audio playback by adding additional effects and improving sound quality. However, occasionally, it may result in glitches or other problems with the audio. You might be able to fix any sound issues by turning off this function. To turn off audio enhancements, follow these steps:

1. Press Win + R to open the RUN dialog box.
2. Type “Control” and press the OK button.
3. In the Control Panel, the View By should be set to Category, and click Hardware and Sound.
4. Click Sound in the right panel.
5. A new sound window will open. Here, click the Playback tab.
6. Right-click on speakers that have a green check mark and choose Properties.

7. Look for Enable audio enhancements in the Advanced tab and uncheck the box before doing so.
8. Click Apply, followed by OK to save your changes.

Method 5 – Use Various Audio Formats

Sample rate and bit depth are key settings that influence sound quality on your computer. If these settings are misconfigured, audio glitches can occur, leading to issues like the test tone failing. Adjusting the sample rate according to your device’s specifications may help resolve the problem.

1. Press the Windows key and type Control. Select the Control Panel and set the view to Category.
2. Click on Hardware and Sound, then select Sound.
3. In the Playback tab, right-click your audio device and choose Properties.
4. Next, go to the Advanced tab and check the box next to Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device.
4. Under Default format, choose your preferred sample rate from the dropdown menu.
5. Finally, try playing a test tone to check if it works.

Method 6 –  Run SFC And DISM

You’ll need to use the Deployment Imaging and Servicing Management (DISM) tool to repair the Windows image. After running DISM, it’s essential to run the System File Checker (SFC) utility to scan for and replace any corrupted system files. Follow these steps to run both the DISM and SFC scans on your PC:

1. Press Win + R to open the RUN dialog box and type “cmd.”
2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to launch the Command Prompt in admin mode.
3. Next, copy and paste the following command in the Command Prompt window and press Enter.

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

4. After the scan, type the command below, followed by the Enter key.

sfc /scannow

5. Let the scan run and fix the corrupted files on your system. After the scan is over, reboot your PC.

Method 7 – Update Windows

Microsoft Provides regular updates to all genuine Windows 11 users. You can check for new updates by following these steps:

1. Press the Win key, type “Check For Updates” and click on the relevant result.

2. Click the “Check For Updates” button in the settings window.
3. After the updates have been completed, reboot the PC.

Method 8 – Update Drivers

Updating audio drivers is the final method to resolve the Failed To Play Test Tone On Windows. Drivers are small programs that bridge the gap between Hardware and Software. There are three ways to update drivers.

Update Drivers via the OEM Website:
This method involves visiting the official website of your PC manufacturer to download and install the latest drivers specific to your system.

Update Drivers through Device Manager:
You can use the built-in Device Manager tool to scan for driver updates and download them directly from Microsoft’s servers.

Update Drivers with Advanced Driver Updater:
This third-party application helps users detect and download the latest drivers. It also resolves issues like missing, corrupted, outdated, or incompatible drivers.

Are You Able To Play Test Tone On Windows PC?

We hope the above information has proved useful and you can play the test tone on a Windows PC. If you have any more doubts, share your experiences in the comments below.

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