How to Fix Fix Remote Desktop Audio Not Working on Windows
No sound in Remote Desktop session? Audio not playing through RDP? Can't hear anything on the remote computer? Fix Remote Desktop audio redirection on Windows.
Symptoms
You might be experiencing this problem if you notice:
- •No sound at all during Remote Desktop session
- •Audio plays on the remote PC speakers instead of locally
- •Sound works locally but goes silent when RDP connects
- •Audio is choppy, delayed, or distorted in remote session
- •Volume mixer shows no audio device in the remote session
- •Microphone not working in remote desktop session
Common Causes
- ⚠Audio redirection disabled in RDP connection settings
- ⚠Remote Desktop audio playback set to "Do not play" or "Play on remote computer"
- ⚠Windows Audio service not running on the remote machine
- ⚠Group Policy blocking audio redirection over RDP
- ⚠Remote Desktop Session Host audio driver not installed
- ⚠Audio quality settings too high for the connection bandwidth
Solutions
Solution 1: Configure Audio Redirection in RDP Client
- 1On your LOCAL PC: open Remote Desktop Connection (mstsc)
- 2Click "Show Options" → go to "Local Resources" tab
- 3Under "Remote audio": click "Settings..."
- 4Set "Remote audio playback" to "Play on this computer"
- 5Set "Remote audio recording" to "Record from this computer" if you need microphone
- 6Click OK → Connect to the remote machine
- 7Sound should now play through your local speakers
- 8If still no audio: proceed to check the remote machine settings
Solution 2: Fix Audio Service on Remote Machine
- 1On the REMOTE machine: open services.msc
- 2Find "Windows Audio" service
- 3Set Startup type to "Automatic"
- 4Click Start if the service is not running
- 5Also start: "Windows Audio Endpoint Builder" service
- 6If services won't start: check dependencies
- 7Open CMD as Admin on remote: net start Audiosrv
- 8Reconnect the RDP session and test audio
Solution 3: Check Group Policy for Audio Redirection
- 1On the REMOTE machine: open gpedit.msc
- 2Navigate to: Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Remote Desktop Services → Remote Desktop Session Host → Device and Resource Redirection
- 3Find "Allow audio and video playback redirection" — set to "Enabled"
- 4Find "Allow audio recording redirection" — set to "Enabled" (for microphone)
- 5Run: gpupdate /force
- 6Disconnect and reconnect the RDP session
- 7Also check: the remote machine might need "Remote Desktop Audio" driver
- 8Device Manager → Sound → if you see "Remote Audio": it's installed
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