Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
If your OBS audio meter moves while a video plays but you cannot hear it, check the monitoring device in Settings → Audio and the video source’s monitoring mode in Advanced Audio Properties. If the meter does not move, first check that the new video is playing and has an audio track. These are separate parts of the audio path, so the right fix depends on what the meter shows.
First, check whether OBS is receiving audio
- Start the affected video and watch its row in the OBS Audio Mixer.
- If the meter moves, audio is reaching that source in OBS. The problem is more likely monitoring or output routing.
- If the meter does not move, confirm that playback is running and that the file contains an audio track. A stopped video will not produce a moving meter.
A moving meter does not prove that you will hear the audio locally; it only tells you that audio is reaching the source in OBS. Likewise, local monitoring and stream output are controlled separately.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
If the meter moves but you hear nothing
Choose the monitoring device OBS should use
Open Settings → Audio and check the monitoring device. Select the output device you are actually listening through, such as the headphones or speakers currently in use. OBS plays monitored audio through this configured device; selecting a different or unavailable output can leave you unable to hear it even while the source meter moves.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Set the source’s monitoring mode
Open the Audio Mixer gear menu and choose Advanced Audio Properties, or use Edit → Advanced Audio Properties. Find the affected source and choose a mode according to what you want viewers to hear:
#1 Best Overall
- Pro performance with great pre-amps - Achieve a brighter recording thanks to the high performing mic pre-amps of the Scarlett 3rd Gen. A switchable Air mode will add extra clarity to your acoustic instruments when recording with your Solo 3rd Gen
- Get the perfect guitar and vocal take with - With two high-headroom instrument inputs to plug in your guitar or bass so that they shine through. Capture your voice and instruments without any unwanted clipping or distortion thanks to our Gain Halos
- Studio quality recording for your music & podcasts - Achieve pro sounding recordings with Scarlett 3rd Gen’s high-performance converters enabling you to record and mix at up to 24-bit/192kHz. Your recordings will retain all of their sonic qualities
- Low-noise for crystal clear listening - 2 low-noise balanced outputs provide clean audio playback with 3rd Gen. Hear all the nuances of your tracks or music from Spotify, Apple & Amazon Music. Plug-in headphones for private listening in high-fidelity
- Everything in the box: Includes Pro Tools Intro+, Ableton Live Lite, Cubase LE, and Hitmaker Expansion: a suite of essential effects, powerful software instruments, and easy-to-use mastering tools
| Monitoring mode | You hear it locally | Sent to stream/record output | Use it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monitor Off | No | Not determined by monitoring; this setting does not monitor locally | You do not need to monitor this source locally. Check the source’s output routing separately if viewers should hear it. |
| Monitor Only | Yes | No | You want to listen locally but do not want the source in the stream or recording. |
| Monitor and Output | Yes | Yes | You want both local monitoring and stream/record output. |
Do not choose Monitor Only for audio that viewers must hear: it routes the source to your monitoring device but excludes it from stream and recording output. Use Monitor and Output when the source needs to be heard both locally and by viewers.
If sound disappears after changing videos or scenes
Check the newly selected video
Changing videos may mean that a different media source is now active. Start playback and check that source’s mixer meter rather than assuming the previous source’s settings or signal still apply. If the new source has no meter activity, check playback and the file’s audio track before changing monitoring settings.
Rank #2
- The new generation of the songwriter's interface: Plug in your mic and guitar and let Scarlett Solo 4th Gen bring big studio sound to wherever you make music
- Studio-quality sound: With a huge 120dB dynamic range, the newest generation of Scarlett uses the same converters as Focusrite’s flagship interfaces, found in the world's biggest studios
- Find your signature sound: Scarlett 4th Gen's improved Air mode lifts vocals and guitars to the front of the mix, adding musical presence and rich harmonic drive to your recordings
- All you need to record, mix and master your music: Includes industry-leading recording software and a full collection of record-making plugins
- Everything in the box: Includes Pro Tools Intro+, Ableton Live Lite, Cubase LE, and Hitmaker Expansion: a suite of essential effects, powerful software instruments, and easy-to-use mastering tools
Allow an inactive media source to reload
OBS media sources can be configured to close their file while inactive. When such a source becomes visible again, it may take a short time to reload. Make the source active, start or wait for playback, then check its mixer meter. In Advanced Audio Properties, an Active Sources Only filter may hide inactive sources; make the relevant source active when checking its row.
Check the current scene’s audio sources
If you switch scenes, confirm that the expected Audio Input Capture or Audio Output Capture source is present and active in the current scene. A capture source tied to one scene may not be present in another. Also check whether the same device is selected both in Settings → Audio and as a scene capture source. Capturing the same device twice can cause echo; avoid duplicate capture unless your setup intentionally requires it.
Rank #3
- PLUG IN AND HEAR SOUND IN SECONDS - USB Type-A connector with a 3.5mm stereo headphone output and a separate 3.5mm mono microphone input. No drivers, no software, no external power - the adapter is USB bus-powered and is recognized as a standard USB audio device.
- WORKS ON WINDOWS, MAC AND LINUX - Driverless on Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/7/8, Linux and Mac OSX, and compliant with the USB Audio Device Class 1.0 specification, so any system that supports class-compliant USB audio will see it. Select it as the sound output and input device after plugging it in.
- TWO JACKS, TWO JOBS - The green jack is stereo OUT for headphones or powered speakers; the pink jack is mono microphone IN for a 3.5mm mic. It does NOT support 4-pole headsets on a single combo plug, it does NOT power passive speakers, and it does NOT add surround sound - it is a stereo 2-channel adapter.
- FOR LAPTOPS AND DESKTOPS THAT NEED AN AUDIO PORT BACK - Adds a headphone and mic port to a laptop, desktop, or mini PC whose onboard jack has failed or was never there. Managed and work-issued computers can block new USB audio devices by policy - check with your IT department before ordering for a company machine.
- SABRENT SUPPORT AND WARRANTY - What is in the box: one USB audio sound adapter. Backed by a 1-year limited warranty, extended to 2 years when you register within 90 days on the manufacturer's website.
Trace the failure to its part of the audio path
- Play the affected video and watch its Audio Mixer meter.
- If the meter is still, verify playback, the file’s audio track, and the active source. If appropriate, use Settings → Audio to select the intended audio devices manually.
- If the meter moves, verify the monitoring device in Settings → Audio.
- Open Advanced Audio Properties and select Monitor Only or Monitor and Output according to whether the audio should also reach stream/record output.
- If the problem occurs only after switching scenes, check the active scene’s capture sources and whether an inactive media source is still reloading.
- Test the same content while watching the meter. Note whether the failure follows the media source, the scene, or the selected output device.
Common symptoms and fixes
| What you observe | Likely area to check | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| The affected source’s meter does not move | Playback, the file, or source activity | Confirm the video is playing and contains audio; make the source active and check the correct mixer row. |
| The meter moves, but you cannot hear the source | Monitoring device or per-source monitoring mode | Check the monitoring device in Settings → Audio, then the source mode in Advanced Audio Properties. |
| You hear the source, but viewers do not | Per-source monitoring mode | Check that it is not set to Monitor Only; use Monitor and Output if the source should reach viewers. |
| The source vanishes from Advanced Audio Properties | Source is inactive or hidden by the filter | Make the source active and check whether Active Sources Only is hiding it. |
| Audio echoes after adding a scene capture source | Duplicate device capture | Check whether the device is selected both globally in Settings → Audio and again in a scene; remove unintended duplicate capture. |
Or let it run in the cloud
If your goal is to keep uploaded videos looping as a YouTube live stream, StreamNeo is a separate cloud option rather than an OBS audio-monitoring fix. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home; it streams the uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps at one price per slot, can recover automatically if YouTube drops the stream, and the first day is free with no card. Monthly: $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo or start the free first day.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- The new generation of the artist's interface: Connect your mic to Scarlett's 4th Gen mic pres. Plug in your guitar. Fire up the included software. Start making your first big hit
- Studio-quality sound: With a huge 120dB dynamic range, the newest generation of Scarlett uses the same converters as Focusrite’s flagship interfaces, found in the world's biggest studios
- Never lose a great take: Scarlett 4th Gen's Auto Gain sets the perfect level for your mic or guitar, and Clip Safe prevents clipping, so you can focus on the music
- Find your signature sound: Air mode lifts vocals and guitars to the front of the mix, adding musical presence and rich harmonic drive to your recordings
- With Scarlett 4th Gen, you have all you need to record, mix and master your music: Includes industry-leading recording software and a full collection of record-making plugins
Rank #4
- Podcast, Record, Live Stream, This Portable Audio Interface Covers it All - USB sound card for Mac or PC delivers 48kHz audio resolution for pristine recording every time
- Be ready for anything with this versatile M-AUDIO interface - Record guitar, vocals or line input signals with two combo XLR / Line / Instrument Inputs with phantom power
- Everything you Demand from an Audio Interface for Fuss-Free Monitoring - 1/4" headphone output and stereo 1/4" outputs for total monitoring flexibility; USB/Direct switch for zero latency monitoring
- Get the best out of your Microphones - M-Track Duo’s transparent Crystal Preamps guarantee optimal sound from all your microphones including condenser mics
- The MPC Production Experience - Includes MPC Beats Software complete with the essential production tools from Akai Professional
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
