Windows 10: Error message that 'the audio playback device is currently in use'.

I've checked internet resources, been to Device manager, made sure sound services in Windows audio are running. Checked the audio playback, can't find what app or program is using the audio. This happens with Media Player etc. I had to reinstall Windows recently and this has only happened since then. Ran sfc /scannow and it found some corrupt files and repaired them, but hasn't helped. I can't play videos on the net using either Chrome or Edge, and downloading and attempting to play doesn't work either. Oh, and the whole damn PC laptop runs slow, too. Trying to play WhatsApp voice messages i

:)

 

DTS audio process settings are unavailable with currently active audio device

Hello bagir shahab,

Thanks for using Microsoft products and posting in the community.

The error message you're encountering suggests that the DTS audio processing settings are not available for your currently active audio device. This could be due to several reasons, such as a driver issue or a conflict with another audio software or device.

Here are a few steps you can try to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:

1. Restart your computer: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary software glitches.
   
2. Check DTS APO Service: Since you mentioned that the DtsApo4Service is running, it's worth verifying if it's functioning correctly. You can try restarting the service by following these steps:
   
   • Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
     
   • Type "services.msc" and hit Enter to open the Services window.
     
   • Locate the "DTS APO Service" in the list of services.
     
   • Right-click on it and select "Restart."
     
   • Close the Services window and check if DTS audio is now functioning.
     
3. Update audio drivers: Ensure that you have the latest audio drivers installed for your Asus Vivobook. You can visit the Asus support website, enter your laptop model, and download the latest audio drivers compatible with Windows 11.
   
4. Uninstall and reinstall DTS software: Completely uninstall the DTS software from your computer and then reinstall it. To uninstall:
   
   • Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
     
   • Type "appwiz.cpl" and hit Enter to open the Programs and Features window.
     
   • Locate the DTS software in the list of installed programs.
     
   • Right-click on it and select "Uninstall."
     
   • Follow the prompts to complete the uninstallation process.
     
   After uninstalling, visit the official DTS website or your laptop manufacturer's website to download the latest version of the DTS software. Install it and check if the issue is resolved.
   
5. Disable other audio-enhancing software: If you have any other audio-enhancing software installed, such as Dolby Atmos or Waves MaxxAudio, temporarily disable or uninstall them. Sometimes, conflicts between different audio software can cause issues.
   
6. Check default audio playback device: Ensure that your desired audio device (laptop speakers or headset) is set as the default audio playback device. To do this:
   
   • Right-click on the volume icon in the system tray and select "Open Sound settings."
     
   • Under the "Output" section, select your desired audio device from the list of available devices.
     
   • Click on it and click the "Set as default" button.
     

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, you may want to reach out to the DTS support team or your laptop manufacturer's support for further assistance. They may have specific troubleshooting steps or updated drivers for your device.

Please feel free to let me know if you have any further updates, thanks.

Best Regards,

Lenka-MSFT| Microsoft Community Support Specialist

 

Playback Audio

To separate your speakers and headphones into their own playback devices on Windows, you can follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the volume icon in the taskbar and select "Sounds".
   
2. In the Sounds window, go to the "Playback" tab.
   
3. Right-click on the audio device you want to split (e.g. "Speakers") and select "Properties".
   
4. In the Properties window, go to the "Advanced" tab.
   
5. Under "Default Format", select a format that is compatible with your audio device (e.g. "16 bit, 44100 Hz (CD Quality)").
   
6. Check the box next to "Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device".
   
7. Click "Apply" and then "OK".
   
8. Right-click on the audio device again and select "Configure Speakers".
   
9. Select the appropriate speaker setup (e.g. "Stereo") and click "Next".
   
10. Select the audio device you want to use as your default playback device (e.g. "Speakers") and click "Next".
    
11. Test your audio device by playing sound and verifying that it is playing through the correct device.
    

Repeat these steps for any additional audio devices you want to split. Once completed, you should see separate playback devices for each audio device in the Sounds window.

 

"Playback Device" not showing up in "Device advanced settings" in the Realtek HD Audio Manager

Hello Aditya,



Welcome to Microsoft Community.



It sounds like you're experiencing a common issue with Realtek HD Audio Manager where the front panel audio and back panel audio are treated as a single audio device instead of separate ones. Here are a few things you can try to fix the issue:

1. Update your Realtek audio drivers: Go to the Zebronics website and download the latest Realtek audio drivers for your motherboard model. Install them and see if the issue is resolved.
   
2. Check your audio settings in Windows: Open the Windows Sound settings by right-clicking on the speaker icon in the taskbar and selecting "Open Sound settings". Under the "Output" section, check if your headphones are listed as a separate playback device. If not, right-click in the window and select "Show disabled devices" and "Show disconnected devices". If your headphones appear, right-click on them and select "Set as Default Device".
   

If you already have Realtek HD Audio Manager installed on your device, the following steps may help:

1. Enable front and rear audio playback: Open the Realtek HD Audio Manager and click on the gear icon in the top right corner to access the settings. Under the "Device advanced settings" section, check the box next to "Make front and rear output devices playback two different audio streams simultaneously". This should enable separate playback for front and rear audio devices.
   
2. Disable front panel jack detection: In the Realtek HD Audio Manager, go to the Connector Settings tab and uncheck "Enable auto popup dialog, when device has been plugged in". This will disable the front panel jack detection and may enable separate playback for front and rear audio devices.
   

These steps involve the use of software from three parties, and since they are not Microsoft programs, my instructions may not be absolutely correct, and the solutions you find online may not be correct. Therefore, I suggest you consult the motherboard customer service for targeted guidance.

Hopefully, one of these solutions will help you resolve your issue.

If anything is unclear, please do not hesitate to let me know.



Best regards,

Mitchell - | Microsoft community support expert from MSFT