No audio after first video

I've been experiencing this issue for a long time. I did a fresh clean install of MPC just now hoping it would alleviate but no dice.

If I play one video everything works perfectly, but when the application loads a new video the audio completely dies. Whether that's moving to the next file in a playlist, or loading manually with like File>Open.
It doesn't seem to matter what file type, codec, etc. If I want to have audio with my video I need to close and reopen the program for each individual video, which is obviously very frustrating for trying to watch a series.
I've tried toggling the built in audio switcher, but no change.

I have no problems with other video players, but I prefer MPC.

Change the audio renderer:
Options > Playback > output > audio renderer > default directsound device

Or disable exclusive mode in Windows settings:
Right-click on Windows volume icon > Sounds > Properties of default device > Advanced tab

I changed both those settings, but no luck.

Are you outputting to a receiver? Then re-enable exclusive mode.

If you are outputting to your computer speakers, then change the default audio devices to Speakers.

Does explicitly closing current file (File > Close) before opening a new one work? If not, test if waiting a few seconds in between helps.

It might be a bug in the sound driver.

I'm swapping my output between a soundbar or my headset, either device has the same result.

Explicitly closing has the same result as well. I can open a file and it starts playing with audio, then close it, then hit the Play button again (not even changing the file), and no sound.

Super strange. I have no idea why this is happening. Restarting the player doesn't do anything with regard to the sound.

If you start a second instance of the player, does sound work in that instance?

Yes, sound will work in a second instance.

Sorry for the many questions. I am trying to find clues as what might be wrong on your system and what triggers the problem.

Does starting the second instance make sound work again in first instance as well?
Does pressing mute and then unmute fix the sound?
Does opening the options (> playback > output page) fix sound? Then enumerates the devices list.

No worries about the questions. I work in IT so I understand the need for good info. I can't get at the computer at the moment, but I'll try and check those things out and get back to you tomorrow.

I can say starting the second instance doesn't fix the first one, I remember that much.

Hallelujah! Setting my device to Default WaveOut Device (blue selection) has worked. I can skip between files and the audio keeps playing. I was sure I had tried this before but I guess not.

It also works if I set it to any of the direct device options (yellow highlight), but of course it only outputs to that device so I'd have to change the option in MPC whenever I switch back and forth to my headset.

Thank you so much for your help! Considering this seems like unusual behaviour, if there's any more questions or info you'd like from me to try and troubleshoot, feel free to ask.

Does "Default DirectSound Device" also work? Because you have two yellow DirectSound entries in your screenshot. The other two device specific ones are WaveOut.

WaveOut is really old sound API of Windows, so DirectSound is preferred.

SaneAR and MPC Audio Renderer use WASAPI. Try MPC AR just in case the problem only occurred with SaneAR.

Admin wrote:Does "Default DirectSound Device" also work? Because you have two yellow DirectSound entries in your screenshot. The other two device specific ones are WaveOut.

Nope, same bad behaviour as before.

Try MPC AR just in case the problem only occurred with SaneAR.

No luck there either. The only ones that work properly are the ones indicated in my previous post.

Something I'm curious about. The number that comes after all the working output options are the same (00200000). The first three don't have any number, and the directsound has 00800000. Is that some kind of identifier?

The number is the DirectShow filter merit. Not really relevant except to see which one will be equal to "system default".

So Default DirectSound Device does not work, but DirectSound with a specified device does. Weird. Certainly since the first play works ok.

The player does not control the behavior of the DirectSound renderer. And given that others do not have these problems, the cause is almost certainly outside of the player.

Updating the sound drive is worth a try. Otherwise just keep using WaveOut.