Sound keeps breaking

[MOZZYSTAR]

Sometimes, when I get to the start/enter/data centre screen, it the game will make this strange buzzing/crackling/not-happy noise and then I'll lose sound but it will still let me play (sans sound). Sometimes it will pop up with this error (shown in the picture) at the same place and then close out of the game all together.



I don't think it's just my end, because a friend of mine across seas keeps losing sound on FFXIV as well. It is definitely a newer issue for the both of us. I'm unsure if he loses sound before he even enters the game or if he loses it at the same point (enter screen) as I do.

[Riardon]

You are not alone. Me and others having the exact same issues. There is no solution for this atm. SE needs to upgrade their audio engine.
If you search the forums you will see how many things we tried to no avail.

[Einmimiria]

Good afternoon and thank you for posting on the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums.

When exactly did this start happening? Did anything change/update on your PC that coincides with this?

You said this happens "sometimes," how often does it usually occur?

What is your audio set up like? Do you use multiple speakers/headphones or custom sound drivers or programs?

We hope we can be of assistance in helping you enjoy the exciting world of Final Fantasy XIV!

[MOZZYSTAR]

Good afternoon and thank you for posting on the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums.

I just returned to the game so I can't exactly say how long it's been. I stopped playing after the 4.1 story patch and then got back this month (May) and that was when I started having the sound issue. I've been playing off and on since ARR first came out and never had this issue until now. Not sure if it's in relation to 4.2 or what. My friend never complained about audio issue either until recently. His PC is a few years old, mine is a few months old (this is the first time I'm playing FFXIV on my new PC but Amigo has been playing on his since June).

I would say for me, it's maybe 50/50 for when the sound has issues but I could be mistaken. I didn't do any updates that affected my sound. I did check if my drivers were up to date when I noticed this issue but they were fine..

My friend and I use use default audio settings on our PCs and we both use headphones. Sticker says "sound by dynaudio" on my PC if that helps, not sure about his.

I hope this helps, and thank you for getting back to me!

[Canadane]

I notice this when I have my headset set up as the default sound output, which is the only output FFXIV can use, then I turn off my headset.
So if you're disabling your audio output, expecting the game to simply switch over to your speakers or whatever, it's not going to work the way you'd hope! :(

[MOZZYSTAR]

I notice this when I have my headset set up as the default sound output, which is the only output FFXIV can use, then I turn off my headset.
So if you're disabling your audio output, expecting the game to simply switch over to your speakers or whatever, it's not going to work the way you'd hope!

My output isn't disabled but it does say "not plugged in...?" This issue is very new for both of us and neither of us have switched our settings (me, maybe, with new PC maybe xD but it's the same brand so the default settings should be the same, which worked on my old PC. Friend has had his PC for a few years never changed the settings/output/etc., and only just started experiencing issue.). We both only ever use headphones, too, so not sure... When I plug in my headphones, it does ask me to select the output and I select the headphone output... So, not switching that up either.

[Ariellendera]

Hello MOZZYSTAR, Thank you for your response.

Can you submit a FFXIV system report? Simply go to the 'Config' option on the Final Fantasy XIV launcher and to the right of 'System Information' click on 'Display.'

Thank you for playing Final Fantasy XIV! Hope to see you online.