How to Fix Stellar Blade Steam Audio Not Working

Stellar Blade, the fast-paced sci-fi action RPG, has captured the attention of gamers thanks to its stunning visuals, dynamic combat, and immersive world. However, like many newly released titles, it’s not without its hiccups—particularly with sound. Some PC players running the game via Steam have reported issues with audio not working correctly, ranging from a complete lack of sound to distorted effects or missing music. If you’re one of those unlucky players, don’t worry—we’re here to walk you through the most effective ways to fix the problem.

TL;DR

If you’re experiencing issues with audio in Stellar Blade on Steam, the solution could be as simple as updating your audio drivers or setting the correct output device. Verifying game files through Steam or adjusting in-game audio settings may also resolve the problem. In some cases, running the game as administrator or reinstalling DirectX can help. Keep reading for detailed instructions.

1. Check the Basics First

Before diving into advanced troubleshooting, let’s cover the fundamental checks:

• Is your volume turned up? It’s basic, but it happens to the best of us. Check your system volume, game volume, and ensure nothing is muted.
• Is the correct output device selected? Windows and sound cards can sometimes default to the wrong audio device. Right-click the speaker icon in your system tray and choose Open Sound Settings. From there, make sure the proper playback device is selected.
• Are your headphones or speakers working with other apps? Test your hardware with another program to ensure the issue is with the game and not your system.

2. Set Sound Output to Default Format

Sometimes high-end surround sound setups or unusual bit rates can confuse games. Here’s how to reset your sound format:

1. Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and choose Sounds.
2. Go to the Playback tab and right-click your active device.
3. Select Properties, then go to the Advanced tab.
4. Change the default format to 24-bit, 48000 Hz or 16-bit, 44100 Hz.
5. Click Apply and then OK.

Restart the game and see if the audio returns.

3. Update Audio Drivers

Outdated or corrupted audio drivers are a common culprit. Update your drivers with one of the following methods:

Using Windows Device Manager:

1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the Sound, video and game controllers section.
3. Right-click on your audio device and choose Update driver.
4. Select Search automatically for updated driver software.

Or download directly from the manufacturer:

If you use Realtek, NVIDIA, or AMD audio components, visit their websites to manually download the latest version. This ensures compatibility with the newest games like Stellar Blade.

4. Launch as Administrator

Games launched through Steam occasionally run into permission barriers that can block full access to system hardware, including audio devices. Running as an administrator can help:

1. Navigate to the Stellar Blade installation folder.
2. Right-click on the game executable (.exe file) and select Properties.
3. Go to the Compatibility tab.
4. Check the box that says Run this program as an administrator.
5. Click Apply and OK.

Then try launching the game again through Steam.

5. Verify Integrity of Game Files

If some of the game files are corrupted or missing, you may experience missing sound or music. Fortunately, Steam makes it easy to check:

1. Open Steam and go to your Library.
2. Right-click Stellar Blade and select Properties.
3. Go to the Installed Files tab and click Verify Integrity of Game Files.

Steam will scan and re-download any problematic files. This process may take a few minutes depending on your system.

6. Disable Exclusive Mode

Some audio devices allow apps to take exclusive control, which can interfere with audio playback in games. Disable this setting as follows:

1. Right-click the speaker icon and choose Sounds.
2. Select your playback device and click Properties.
3. Go to the Advanced tab.
4. Uncheck both boxes under Exclusive Mode:
• Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device
• Give exclusive mode applications priority
5. Click Apply and then OK.

7. Reinstall DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributable

Missing or corrupted runtime libraries can cause sound issues in games. Try reinstalling the latest versions:

• Download DirectX End-User Runtime
• Install Visual C++ Redistributables

Be sure to restart your computer after installation to ensure the changes take effect.

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8. Check In-Game Audio Settings

Sometimes the in-game audio is turned off or bugged out due to a corrupted config file. To reset:

1. Launch Stellar Blade and go to Settings → Audio.
2. Ensure all volumes (Master, Music, SFX, Voice) are turned up.
3. Try switching between stereo and surround modes.
4. Apply changes, then restart the game.

If you’ve modified config files, consider deleting them to let the game create fresh ones.

9. Reinstall the Game

If all else fails, a clean reinstall might be your best bet. This ensures all game data is freshly written, eliminating potential file conflicts:

1. Go to your Steam Library.
2. Right-click Stellar Blade and choose Uninstall.
3. After uninstalling, delete any leftover files in the install directory manually.
4. Reinstall the game from Steam and launch it again.

10. Wait for a Patch or Contact Support

If none of these methods work, the audio issue could stem from a bug in the game itself. Stellar Blade is frequently patched, especially after launch. Check the Steam Discussions and official forums to see if others are having the same problem and whether a fix is on the way.

You can also contact Steam Support or the game’s publisher with detailed steps you’ve already tried.

Final Thoughts

Audio issues in games can be incredibly frustrating, especially in a title like Stellar Blade that prides itself on immersion and atmosphere. Fortunately, most sound problems on Steam are software-based and can be fixed by following the steps outlined above. Don’t forget to back up any custom configurations before making major changes—and always keep your drivers up to date and your system clean from bloatware.

Whether it’s a simple device switch or something a bit more in-depth like driver updates or file verification, we hope this guide helps you return to the sonic experience you deserve in Stellar Blade.