How to Solve “Failed to play test tone” Error on Window 7, 8, & 10

A fairly common error, failed to play test tone is likely to arise when there’s some sort of an issue between your Windows PC and installed sound device.

This error is not limited to one version of Windows. It occurs, more or less, as frequently on Windows 10 as on Windows 7 and Windows 8 computers.

Obviously, failed to play test tone is an irritating error because it means that you will not be able to hear any audio from your pc.

7 top causes of ‘no sound’ on Computer

However, before we look at the solutions, let’s check out other problems that users have reported receiving besides this error.

First Update Windows 10

Listed below are several solutions to the aforementioned problem. However, if you run Windows 10, before trying these steps, you should make sure that your Windows version is up-to-date. Updating Windows 10 with all the latest patches have helped fix the ‘failed to play test tone’ error in many cases.

If the problem persists even after updating Windows 10, go ahead and try these steps.

Windows 8 and 7 users can straightaway start with the first solution.

Update Audio Drivers for Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista and XP

Solutions to Failed to play test tone

Here are the various solutions. All of them have been reported to work. You don’t need to try each one of these. We recommend you try the solutions listed in this post one-by-one until the issue is resolved on your computer.

Solution 1 – Restart Windows Audio

For many users, this solution has worked well. Precisely for this reason, we’ve listed it before other solutions. Also it doesn’t take much time to execute the steps listed here.

That said, a few users have reported that this solution only worked for a short period. After which, the issue reoccurred. If that’s the case with you, we recommend you try other solutions if and when the problem recurs.

Here are the steps you need to follow to restart Windows Audio.

Launch Run window by pressing Win + R on your keyboard
Now type services.msc in the run window and then click the OK button or press Enter
In the right pane of Services window, locate Windows Audio, right-click it and click Restart
Exit Services window and restart your pc
Now your pc should be able to play sound

If not, jump up to the next solution.

Solution 2 – Run sfc/scannow

Here are the steps to follow.

In the Start Search box, type cmd. Now right-click cmd.exe and click Run as administrator
Now type sfc/scannow. Press Enter.
Once the scan is complete, restart Windows (Note: Don’t interrupt the scan when it is running. Restart windows only when the scan is over.)

Solution 3 – Delete KB974571 updated (This is for Windows 7 users only)

More than one Windows 7 user has complained that this particular updated caused the Failed to play test tone issue. The error was resolved when this updated was deleted manually.

To do this, complete these steps.

Type control panel in the start search box and then press Enter
In the control panel window, use the drop-down menu against View by to select Small icons
Locate Programs and features and double-click it
In the right pane of the window that opens, click the View installed updates button
Now locate and select KB974571 update, and then click the Uninstall button
Once that’s done, restart Windows

Solution 4 – Disable all enhancements

For many issues this solution worked well. Therefore, if the earlier two solutions didn’t work for you, we recommend you to try this one.

Here are the steps to follow.

Type control panel in the start search box and then press Enter
In the control panel window, use the drop-down menu against View by to select Small icons
Locate Sound and then click it
Select the speakers you are using. Click Properties (near the bottom of this box)
Click Enhancements
Tick the box next to Disable all enhancements
Click the Apply Now click OK

Check if the issue is resolved. If not, move to the 5^th solution.

Solution 5 – Install HD Audio Device driver

This issue could occur when drivers are faulty or corrupted.

To resolve the issue, reinstall audio drivers. Here are the steps to follow.

Type device manager in the start search box and then press Enter
In the Device Manager window, expand Sound, video and game controllers
Right-click your audio device. Next, select Uninstall
Follow on-screen prompts to uninstall the audio drivers
Now reboot windows
When Windows restarts, it’ll automatically install the generic driver for this device
If the error continues to occur, then go to the manufacturer’s website and download the latest driver for your audio device
After you’ve downloaded the driver file, double-click it to install the drivers
Restart Windows and the issue should be resolved

Automatic driver update tools offer many benefits, the most important ones being:

You can update device drivers automatically
The software scans and updates all outdated or missing drivers at one go
The tool picks the right drivers for your device and operating system, so you won’t have to worry about installing an incorrect driver by mistake
Automatic driver updates are 100% safe

Driver Updater is one of the best driver update tools out there. Outbyte Driver Updater will give you access to a database of over 1 million drivers. It will regularly scan your PC, suggesting new driver versions to install. Driver Updater contains drivers for a variety of Windows devices. With just one click, you can update drivers in your system.

Step 1
Click here to Install and launch the app

Step 2
Scan all devices

Step 3
Install or update drivers automatically

Start Download

Solution 6 – Change Sample Rate

To do this, just follow the steps listed here.

Type control panel in the start search box and then press Enter
In the control panel window, use the drop-down menu against View by to select Small icons
Locate Sound and then click it
In the Playback tab (this is the first tab), select your speaker and then click the Properties button
Now click the Advanced tab
In the drop-down menu in the Default Format section, select a different audio format, such as 16 bit, 48000 Hz
Click the Apply Now click OK
Now see if the issue is resolved. You may have to try different sound formats, so if one doesn’t work, try another. This solution has worked for several users, so do try it
In case altering sound formats doesn’t work, some users recommend restoring audio settings to the original values by clicking Restore Defaults Do that and now check whether your computer can play sound

Solution 7 – Add Local Service in Local Users and Groups

While this solution might appear unrelated to the aforementioned audio problem, more than one user have said that it worked for them.

Right-click My Computer or This PC, depending on your Windows version
Click Manage
Expand System Tools
Expand Local Users and Groups
Select Groups
Now right-click Administrators (this is in the middle pane)
Click Add to Group
Now click Add
Click Advanced
Click Find now
Now double-click Local Service and then click the OK button
You will see NT Authority\Local Servicein the list. Now click the OK button
Exit Computer Management window
Restart your computer

Check if the issue is resolved.

Solution 8 – Change the speaker settings

According to some Windows users, the speaker settings alter to Quadraphonic when they upgrade to Windows 10. In case you use 5.1 speaker system, after the upgrade, open your speaker settings and change it to 5.1 from Quadraphonic.

Solution 9 – Disable the exclusive mode

Exclusive mode can cause Failed to play sound test tone error. You can solve the issue by disabling this option.

Here are the steps to follow

Type control panel in the start search box and then press Enter
In the control panel window, use the drop-down menu against View by to select Small icons
Locate Sound and then click it
In the Playback tab (this is the first tab), select your speaker and then click the Properties button
Click the Advanced tab
In the Exclusive Mode section, uncheck the box before Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device
Click the Apply button to save the changes. And then click OK to close the Speakers Properties dialog box

Solution 10 – Run a troubleshooter

Some users state that running a troubleshooter helped them resolve Failed to play sound test tone issue.

Here are the steps you need to perform to run Sound Troubleshooter.

Open Settings app by pressing Win + I
Click Update & security
In the left pane, click Troubleshoot
In the section in right pane, click Playing Audio. Now click Run the troubleshooter
This will launch the troubleshooter. Wait until troubleshooter resolves the issue

Another way to launch Sound Troubleshooter is by following these steps.

Click the Windows icon in the task bar and then type control panel in the start search box, and then select Control Panel
Click Troubleshooting
In the left-hand side menu, click View all
Click Playing Audio to launch the troubleshooter
Click the Next button
Wait till the troubleshooter resolves the issue

Solution 11 – Turn off audio effects

There are several sound cards which have a dedicated software app which offers different audio effects. These effects at time can boost audio quality, but the flip side is that they can also cause different problems.

Some users have complained that disabling the sound effects helped them resolve the Failed to play sound test tone issue.

We suggest you give this solution a try. Open the audio configuration software and then browse to Effects section. All you need to do now is to disable these effects.

Now check whether the issue is resolved.

Solution 12 – Disconnect USB devices

It is possible that the problem might be occurring because of other USB devices like USB speakers or headphones.

Some users have reported receiving the error due to Xbox 360 wireless gaming receiver. If you too use this receiver, we recommend you to disconnect it from the PC. Then simply restart Windows. Now check if the problem is resolved.

Solution 13 – Set the audio device as default communication device

Some users have said that this error appears because the audio device isn’t configured as the default device.

Here are the steps you need to follow to fix the issue.

Type control panel in the start search box and then press Enter
In the control panel window, use the drop-down menu against View by to select Small icons
Locate Sound and then click it
Click the Playback tab
In the Sound window, right click a device other than your audio device and click Set as Default Communication Device
Now right-click your device and click Set as default. Now again right-click this audio device and click Set as Default Communication Device

The problem should be fixed. Please check.

Solution 14 – Disable and then Enable the audio device

Some users have said that they were able to fix this problem by disabling audio device temporarily.

Here are the steps to follow.

Click the Windows icon in the taskbar and type device manager in the start search box and then press Enter
In the device manager window, expand Sound, video, and game controllers. Now right-click your audio device and then click Disable
If a popup window appears asking you to confirm your action, simply click the Yes button
In the next window, you’ll be prompted to reboot Windows. Click the Yes button to do so
After Window restarts, open the device manager window. Locate your audio device, right click it and then select Enable

Solution 15 – Directly connect audio device to the pc

Some laptop users have reported experiencing this problem when they used any docking station. As you may know, docking stations are immensely useful as they give you access to additional ports. However, at times, certain issues can arise with them. Users have stated that they received the Failed to play sound test tone issue when they connected their headphones or speakers with the docking station.

Users have stated that this problem can be fixed by connecting speakers directly to audio port on the laptop.

Solution 16 – Change security permissions in Windows registry

Changing security permissions in Windows registry can help you resolve the problem.

However, please note that this step is for only advanced users. In case you feel that you aren’t comfortable with tweaking registry, don’t attempt this step.

That said, many users have reported that this solution worked for them. So if you have considerable technical knowledge, you may want to give this a try.

For this solution you will need to access another PC running the same Windows version as your PC. Ensure that the Failed to play test tone is not occurring on this pc. Now you’ll need to compare security permissions between these two PCs and if something is missing in your system’s registry, make the required changes.

Here are the steps to follow.

Press Win + R. Type regedit and click the OK button
Important – Although not necessary, it is highly recommended that you create a backup of your registry. The backup copy will prove immensely useful if you make wrong changes or if something go amiss after the changes. To create backup, click the File menu and then select Export. In the Export range section, select All. Now give the file a desired name and then click Save. With these simple steps, you will have created a backup copy of your registry. If any problem occurs after you modify Windows registry, just run the backup file. This will restore the Windows registry to its original state
Browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersion
Right-click Audio Select Permissions
Perform the last two steps on the other PC that’s working fine. Run a comparison of entries in user names or Group sections between two PCs. Check the permissions for every individual entry listed in the list. In case some permissions or entries are absent in your PC, readjust them
Once you’ve made sure that all permissions and entries on your pc matches perfectly with those on the working PC, click the Advanced button
Check Owner section in both the PCs. In case this section on your pc is different than on the working pc, make the required changes

Once you’ve made the settings on the affected PC the same as on the working PC, check if the issue is fixed.

Solution 17 – Reinstall the AMD drivers

Sometimes the graphics card drivers also install audio drivers, which in turn, cause this problem to appear. To solve the issue, uninstall the AMD device driver and then reinstall it. You can refer to the steps listed in the solution 5 to see how to uninstall and reinstall a device driver.

Other Problems Experienced With “Failed to Play test tone” error

First Update Windows 10