Ellie

By Ellie Twitter / Last Updated May 22, 2023

Help! My RDP audio not working Windows 10

"Hello, I use Remote Desktop Connection to access my remote Windows 10 computer over RDP.  But I can't hear anything playing on the remote desktop.  Why is my RDP remote audio not working? What do I need to do to hear the sound from the remote computer?" 

Why is remote audio over RDP not working?

Normally, Windows Remote Desktop Connection can play sound from the remote PC on your local computer after you remotely access it. If you can't hear the sound from the remote PC, you can take these three elements into consideration:

  • The sound isn't enabled on your local computer. 
  • Allow audio and video playback redirection isn't enabled.
  • Allow Audio Recording Redirection isn't enabled.

How to solve the RDP audio not working issue?

To enable you to hear sound from the remote computer in RDP session by further solutions, you can try the two tricks: "Rebooting both remote computer & local computer and then start the remote session again" and "Make sure that the volumes of the computers are in a normal status". If you still can't hear sound from the remote computer, keep reading!

Solution 1.  Restart the Windows Audio Service

Step 1. On the host computer, search for Administrative Tools in Control Panel and click to open it.

Administrative Tools

Step 2. In the Administrative Tools pane, right-click on Services.

Services

Step 3. In the Services pane, right-click on Windows Audio.

Windows Audio

Step 4. On the General tab, in the Startup type box, select Automatic. In the Service status, select Start. And then hit OK.

Windows Audio Propertie

Solution 2. Check the Group Policy setting on the host computer

Step 1. On the host remote computer, Press Win + R to invoke the Run dialog box, then type in “gpedit.msc” and press OK to open the Local Group Policy Editor window.

Local Group Policy Editor Window

Step 2. Navigate here: Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Device and Resource Redirection.

Device and Resource Redirection

Step 3. Click on Device and Resource Redirection. On the right pane, click on Allow audio and video playback redirection and Allow audio recording redirection respectively, and make sure they are set to Enabled or Not configured. 

Allow Redirection

Playback Redirection

Solution 3 Check the Group Policy setting on the client computer

Step 1. On your local computer, open Group Policy Editor window.

Step 2. Navigate here: Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Connection Client > RemoteFX USB Device Redirection > Allow RDP redirection of other supported RemoteFX USB devices from this computer.

Allow RDP Redirection

Step 3. Click Allow RDP redirection of other supported RemoteFX USB devices from this computer, and make sure it is set to Enabled or Not configured.

Allow RDP Redirection Setting

Solution 4 Check the Registry setting

Step 1. Press Win + R to invoke the Run dialog box and then type in “regedit” and hit OK to open Registry Editor.

Run Box Regedit

Step 2. Navigate here: Computer > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > Control > Terminal Server WinStations > RDP-Tcp

RDP Tcp

Step 3. On the right pane, click fDisableAudioCapture and set the value to 0. Then click OK.

Disable Audio Capture

Audio Value Data

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you've encountered RDP audio not working problem, you can solve it by enabling the Windows Audio Service, editing the Group Policy setting on both the host computer and the client computer, or checking the Registry setting.

In case you want a Remote Desktop alternative, we also recommend the free remote access software AnyViewer, which will allow you to have a more satisfactory remote control journey. But we should note in advance that AnyViewer doesn't support audio transfer at present.