Buzz
Comprehensive guide to troubleshoot audio playback issues during remote desktop usage
Windows Remote Desktop Connection defaults to playing sound from the remote computer on the device you're accessing it from. If encountering issues, ensure correct settings by accessing Remote Desktop software, navigating to advanced settings, and opting to “Play on this device”. These steps apply whether you're connecting from a smartphone or a computer. Verify that your local device isn't muted!
Steps
Utilizing the Remote Desktop Mobile App
Get and launch the Microsoft Remote Desktop app. Tap “Free” to install and “Open” after installation completes.
- Android and iOS versions of the app are available on their respective app stores.
- For Android, there are third-party remote desktop apps like RemoteToGo that function similarly. However, note that these apps aren't officially supported by Windows Remote Desktop Connection.
Click the “+” button. This button is situated at the bottom of your screen and directs you to the “Add Desktop” page.
Select “Advanced”. This option is positioned at the top of the page and leads you to a list of additional settings.
Choose the “Sound” dropdown menu and opt for “Play on this device”. Alternatively, you can set the sound to play on the remote device or disable sound altogether from this menu.
Press “General”. This action returns you to the page containing the connection details.
Input the login credentials for the remote computer. The username should be either the computer's name or its IP address to which you wish to connect. The password will be its login password.
- If you're unsure of your computer’s name, you can find it by navigating to “Control Panel > All Control Panel Items > System” on your computer.
- To find the computer’s IP address, type “ipconfig” into the command line on your computer.
- Tap the disk icon to save the remote profile for future use.
Click on “Connect”. You'll find this button situated at the bottom of your screen, and it will initiate the remote desktop connection.
Check the audio of the remote computer. After the remote desktop is displayed on your local screen, tap the speaker icon located in the lower right corner of the taskbar to access the sound controls. Adjust the volume, and you'll hear a chime confirming the adjustment.
Utilizing Remote Desktop Connection
Launch the Remote Desktop Client. Press ⊞ Win and type “Remote Desktop Connection” into the search bar. Click on the listing in the search results to open it.
- Microsoft also provides support for a Mac client that functions similarly.
Press the 'Options' button. This button is located at the bottom of the window and will expand the window to reveal several tabs.
Select 'Local Resources'. You'll find this tab located just to the right of the default “General” tab.
Choose “Settings…” under the Remote Audio section. A popup window containing audio options will appear.
Opt for “Play on this computer”. Alternatively, you can select to play audio from the remote computer or choose no audio at all from this menu.
Press “OK” to save your changes. The popup window will close.
Input the login details for the remote computer. The username should be either the computer's name or its IP address to which you wish to connect. The password will be its login password.
- If you're unsure of your computer’s name, you can find it by navigating to “Control Panel > All Control Panel Items > System” on the target computer.
- To find the computer’s IP address, type “ipconfig” into the command line on the target computer.
- You can click “Save” in the bottom left corner to store the login information for future use.
Click on 'Connect'. You'll find this button positioned in the lower right corner of the window, and it will initiate the remote desktop connection.
Check the audio of the remote computer. Once the remote desktop appears on your local screen, click on the speaker icon located in the lower right corner of the taskbar to access the sound controls. Adjust the volume, and you'll hear a chime confirming the adjustment.
Helpful Tips
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Make sure to verify that the sound is not muted on the device you're using (by clicking on the speaker icon in the lower right corner of the taskbar or using the volume buttons if you're on a phone). Then, check the sound settings of the remote computer using the remote desktop program in the same manner. If either computer's sound is muted, you won't hear anything!
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If either the host or remote device is equipped with a dedicated sound card (or an external sound device), it may have separate volume controls. Check the “Sound controllers” section in your device manager to identify which sound devices are in use.
