December 28, 2021

Fix Skype Stereo Mix Not Working in Windows 10

How to Fix Skype Stereo Mix not Working in Windows 10

Skype is one of the most popular communication platforms. However, there has been a need that Skype has not addressed for some time i.e., sharing sound from our devices with others. We had to rely on third-party applications previously. Only the sound system sharing was available in Skype update 7.33. Later, this option vanished, and the only way to share a screen with sound was to share the entire screen, which too might face lag and other issues. In this article, we will guide you to fix Skype stereo mix not working problem in Windows 10.

How to Fix Skype Stereo Mix not Working in Windows 10

How to Fix Skype Stereo Mix Not Working in Windows 10

Your PC microphone, whether it is an internal model or an external USB headset, becomes ineffective as a transmitting source when it is pushed against another speaker. Even if you do not detect a drop in sound quality, irritating audio feedback is always a possibility. Following are some precautions you should take when you are trying Skype Stereo mix.

  • When you are on a Skype discussion, it is more beneficial to change system sound input settings so that your Skype friends hear what you hear via your PC speakers.
  • It is not straightforward to route audio on Windows 10, and the audio/sound driver that is installed is often the most difficult part. You will need to find out how to get applications to listen to a device once you have found out how to route audio and get programs to listen to it. This allows anybody you are contacting to hear both your voice and the audio from your PC, such as music or a video.
  • By default, sound devices do not connect system audio to the mic feed. This may be accomplished using software and hardware. If your sound equipment permits it, you will need to utilize the stereo mix option or something similar.
  • If not, you will need to look for third-party virtual audio software that can perform the same thing.

Why is Skype Stereo Mix Not working?

There could be several reasons why you are having trouble with Stereo Mix.

  • Damaged or loose cable connections for sound.
  • Audio driver issue.
  • Incorrect software settings.

Usually, this is a minor issue that can be readily resolved. To discover how to solve Stereo Mix not working, you do not need to be a tech whiz. Continue reading to learn about all possible options for resolving the problem of Skype stereo mix issue to get back to recording audio.

Method 1: Basic Troubleshooting

Before going through the methods to fix your Skype stereo mix not working problem, let us perform some basic hardware troubleshooting.

1. Disconnect your microphone and speaker from the PC.

2. Now, check for any damaged wires or cables. If found, then replace them or switch to a new device.

earphone

3. Finally, connect your microphone and speaker to your PC properly.

speaker

Method 2: Reset Default Audio Device

For your Stereo mix to work properly, your sound has to go via sound card, and using HDMI audio device will bypass this. It might be possible that your HDMI device is selected as the default device which would prevent Stereo Mix from working. Follow the below steps to set your speakers as default:

1. Press the Windows + Q keys together to open Windows Search menu.

2. Type Control Panel in the search bar and click Open in the right pane.

Type Control Panel in the Windows search bar

3. Set View by: > Category and click on Hardware and Sound, as shown.

Click on Hardware and Sound.

4. Now, click on Sound.

Click on Sound. How to Fix Skype Stereo Mix not Working in Windows 10

5. In the Playback tab, choose the speaker you need to set as default and click the Set default button.

In the Playback tab, choose the speaker you need to set it as default and click Set default button.

6. Click Apply to save changes and then click OK.

Click Apply to save changes and then click OK. How to Fix Skype Stereo Mix not Working in Windows 10

Also Read: Fix Windows 10 No Audio Devices are Installed

Method 3: Unmute Mic or Speaker

It is possible that the problem of Skype stereo mix not working Windows 10 might be caused because microphone has been muted in your playback choices. This problem can be solved by unmuting your microphone, as follows:

1. Right-click on the speaker icon on the bottom-right corner in the Taskbar.

2. Choose Sounds from the context menu.

Choose Sounds from the context menu.

3. Navigate to the Playback tab.

Navigate to Playback tab. How to Fix Skype Stereo Mix not Working in Windows 10

4. Locate your default playback device and right-click it. Choose Properties, as shown.

Locate your default playback device and right-click it. Choose Properties

5. Switch to the Levels tab and click on the muted speaker icon to unmute the microphone.

Go to the Levels tab. Click on the muted speaker button to unmute microphone. How to Fix Skype Stereo Mix not Working in Windows 10

6. Also, click on the muted speaker button for Realtek HD Audio output to enable audio, as illustrated below.

Click on the muted speaker button of Realtek HD Audio output to enable audio.

7. When you are finished, click on Apply to save your changes and click the OK button to exit.

When you're finished, click on Apply to save your changes and Click OK button to exit. How to Fix Skype Stereo Mix not Working in Windows 10

Also Read: How to Fix Audio Stuttering in Windows 10

Method 4: Enable & Set up Stereo Mix

A setup error is nearly always the cause of Stereo Mix not functioning with headphones or speakers. It is possible that the software was never turned on, to begin with. As a result, the first remedy you should try is to revert that setting. You should also configure it as the default recording device to ensure that there are no problems when running the application.

1. Navigate to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound as illustrated in Method 2.

Click on Sound. How to Fix Skype Stereo Mix not Working in Windows 10

2. Switch to the Recording tab.

Go to the Recording tab.

3A. Right-click on Stereo Mix and click on Enable, as depicted below.

Right click on Stereo Mix

Note: If you do not see Stereo Mix, it must be hidden and you need to enable it as follows:

3B. Right-click an empty space in the list and check the following options from the context menu.

  • Show Disabled Devices
  • Show Disconnected Devices

Choose the options, Show Disabled Devices and Show Disconnected Devices from the context menu. How to Fix Skype Stereo Mix not Working in Windows 10

4. Hit the Windows key and type Skype, then click on Open.

Open Start menu and type Skype, click on Open on the right pane | How to Fix Skype Stereo Mix not Working in Windows 10

5. Click the three dotted icon on the top-right corner and choose Settings, as shown.

Click the three dots on top right corner and choose Settings from the menu.

6. Go to the Audio & Video tab under Settings in the left pane.

Go to the Audio & Video tab under the Settings on the left pane. How to Fix Skype Stereo Mix not Working in Windows 10

7. Click on the Default communication device drop-down and choose Stereo Mix (Realtek(R) High Definition Audio) as illustrated below.

Click on the Default communication device drop down and choose Stereo Mix

Also Read: How to Use Skype Chat Text Effects

Method 5: Update Audio Driver

Another reason for this issue could be incompatible or out-of-date sound drivers. And, updating it to the most recent manufacturer-recommended version would be the best approach.

1. Click on Start, type device manager, and hit the Enter key.

In the Start menu, type Device Manager in the Search Bar and launch it.

2. Double-click on Sound, video, and game controllers to expand it.

Expand Sound video and game controllers

3. Right-click on your audio driver (e.g. Realtek(R) Audio) and choose Update driver from the context menu.

Right click on that device and choose Update driver. How to Fix Skype Stereo Mix not Working in Windows 10

4. Click on Search automatically for drivers, as shown.

Search automatically for drivers in Realtek audio

5A.The drivers will be updated to the latest version. Restart your PC to implement the changes.

5B. If you see a notification claiming that The best drivers for your device are already installed, click on the Search for updated drivers on Windows Update option instead.

search for updated drivers in Windows update for Realtek R audio

6. In the Windows Update tab in Settings, click View optional updates in the right pane.

click on the View optional updates on right pane

7. Check the box pertaining to the drivers you want to install, and click the Download and install button.

Check the box of the drivers you want to install, then click the Download and install button. How to Fix Skype Stereo Mix not Working in Windows 10

Also Read: How To Fix No Sound On Steam Games

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the purpose of Skype taking over my sound?

Ans. Incoming Skype calls are detected as communications activity by Windows. If you wish to preserve the true volume of your sound, you may need to change the settings on the Communications tab of Windows Sound properties.

Q2. How do I adjust my Skype audio settings?

Ans. From the Skype window, locate and click the gear icon. To change the audio or video device settings, go to Tools > Audio Device Settings or Video Device Settings. You can choose the microphone or speaker you want to use from here.

Q3. What is system sound?

Ans. The sound that comes from the speakers built into our PC is known as System sound. Sound from the headphones you have connected is the music on our PCs.

Q4. What are stereo mix alternative Windows 10?

Ans. If Realtek Stereo Mix is not working and gives no sound in Windows 10, you may try other Stereo Mix alternative for Windows 10 like Audacity, WavePad, Adobe Audition, MixPad, Audio Highjack, etc.

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We hope that this information was useful in resolving Skype stereo mix not working problem in Windows 10. Let us know which technique was the most successful for you. Drop your queries/suggestions in the comments section below.