No Sound Effects

[Oniji]

I honestly think this is an issue with the realtek driver..

I don't have any realtek audio devices

[Sannin]

I honestly think this is an issue with the realtek driver. I'm curious if everyone else was using that for their default sound device.

I plugged in my headset via USB instead of fiber cable and changed my default playback device to the headset. Ever since then I haven't had any issues.

Would bet money it's a compatibility issue with realtek drivers and it'll be a thing until they get an update, or something.

Can confirm that there is something to this. I have been having the no sound fx issue, but I do not have the degredated BGM issue. Tried the DX9 workaround, and though it resolved the sound issue, the instability and crashes made it a moot point. Tried changing the Logitec pro EQ setting and that didn't change anything for me. Then switched to headphone driver and the issue persisted (headphone driver is also on my Realtek driver set though, but is the difference between optical and and aux outputs). Then I tried something crazy to give Kanzer's theory a shot...and it worked: I don't recommend my method here though, however, hopefully greater minds than I can identify something from this and pin down a better workaround: essentially I went into Windows sound settings > App Volume and Device Preferences and forced FFXIV to output to one of the third party sound drivers from one of my additional monitors and that fixed it. However...to get it to actually play through my main speakers or headphones, I have to use OBS, add that sound driver as an output source and set that source to Monitor and Output. It's a terrible workaround, but it works, and it gives a little credence to what Kanzer is saying...at least on my system...and hopefully more savvy minds than I can identify a simpler way of applying these methods.

[GiahUK]

When I logged in earlier today I had no problems at all, server booted everyone and when i finally got back into the game it is only since then that I am unable to hear spell sounds which I need. Reluctant to mess around with my directx versions as the problem has only began since I got booted out of the game.

[SyrupDragon]

I've also had audio problems with everything sounded muffled/distant. It seems to be specific to attacks to only a few things on my end. Specifically sound effects for "Infuriate", "Equilibrium" and the sound of a buff fading are causing issues. Interesting any attack where the sound would seem to be around my character such as "Mythril Tempest" and "Shake It Off" still sound just fine.

From the audio I'm hearing it does sound like a spatial setting is turned on somewhere, but it's not turned on in FFXIV and the pack is not installed, it's not turned on in Windows or any other programs and any settings change to things such as 'Listening Position' I make has no effect on it at all. I need to test if it's still doing it on DX9.

[Jin-]

Restarting the game did not fix the issue. I had to delete data from the my documents folder

[Aylin]

Only been online a bit, but noticed my audio- particularly the BGM- slowing down and stuttering. Was afraid it was my PC, so did a quick google and am somewhat relieved that others are having the same or similar issue.
I'll try switching to DX9 since some said it fixed their issue for now. Hopefully whatever is causing this gets fixed soon.

[TaleraRistain]

Only been online a bit, but noticed my audio- particularly the BGM- slowing down and stuttering. Was afraid it was my PC, so did a quick google and am somewhat relieved that others are having the same or similar issue.
I'll try switching to DX9 since some said it fixed their issue for now. Hopefully whatever is causing this gets fixed soon.

I'm also glad to find out others are having stuttering audio. Mine is the BGM and music and then in-combat is just horrible. It can't even be called music.

[diverscott]

I am also encountering issues with sound being VERY choppy. It starts out fine and only seems to become an issue as more and more processing is needed. For example - if I stand still, there isn't an issue, but when I ride my mount, it gets choppy. When I cast spells, it's slightly clipped, but when I'm in a group, it sounds like glass breaking all around. I wonder if it is related to DirectX, as both sound and video are elements there.


EDIT: I just changed the Equalizer settings from Logitech PRO-G 50mm to just plain "Standard" and had immediate improvement. This deteriorates over time, however, as I had switched it to the Logitech equalizer to fix issues, previously. I am interested to see if I just switch back and forth to clear the issue, when it arises, if that is a workaround.

[M0xie]

Same issues with no sound effects, only I also am not getting any of the voice-overs. Really killing my enjoyment of the expac. My bf sitting next to me has all normal sounds and voices. I have updated my Realtek and tried both speakers and my Arctis headset, and attempted a Restore to the game from the launcher (which basically re-downloads most of the game) to no avail.

UPDATE: I fixed this issue. My game normally runs through a vb-cable (virtual audio cable) and I switched it back to default in Windows mixer. Now all sounds are back, which is weird, but it worked.

[Krondle]

UPDATE: I fixed this issue. My game normally runs through a vb-cable (virtual audio cable) and I switched it back to default in Windows mixer. Now all sounds are back, which is weird, but it worked.

Started today around 0932 PST/DST, enabled DirectX11, met with same results on the opening log-in with distorted sound. Checked the thread to see if others are still having this issue and seems to be so.

Found M0xie's post and, on a whim, checked my sound settings. Sure enough, FFXIV was blank (wasn't that way yesterday). I'll see if I can't post a screenshot. Essentially, I went to Start>Settings>System>Sound>App Volume and Device Preferences. I use (unfortunately) Windows 10.

I also used Oniji's recommendation to dump the Default Format to 16 bit, 44100hHz (CD Quality). I accessed this (on Windows 10) by Taskbar>Sound Settings>Sound Control Panel>(selected my output device: Creative SB X-Fi)>Properties>Advanced>then adjusted under Default Format down to 16 bit, 44100Hz (CD Quality).

As a side note, M0xie's fix has fixed an error I had wherein I couldn't take screenshots (through the game, GeForce Experience would still take screenshots) while in full screen mode. For some reason, Windowed mode would take the screenshots but fullscreen wouldn't. I can now take screenshots in fullscreen mode.

The volume is pretty low but, my Creative 5.1 system has a manual controller with volume, Treble/Bass dial, Front/Rear speaker dial, and Center/Side speaker dial so I just cranked up the manual volume and that's working fine so far.

I'll try bumping up the bit rate and Hz later tonight. Right now, I'm so excited to actually be able to have sound without dumping down to DX9. Hoping to be able to get off the boat and into Sharlayan.