Metro Exodus Audio Not Working or Sound Cutting Out: Released in 2019, Metro Exodus is a first-person shooter that serves as the third installment in the Metro game franchise, following the narratives of Metro 2033 and Metro: Last Light.
Developed by 4A Games and published by Deep Silver, the game is accessible on various platforms, including Windows PC, Google Stadia, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Following a recent update, numerous players have encountered problems such as audio malfunctions or intermittent sound issues.
If you are experiencing similar difficulties, this troubleshooting guide will assist you in resolving audio problems in Metro Exodus, including issues with sound not working or crackling audio.
Fix: Metro Exodus Audio Not Working or Crackling Sound Issue
Players experiencing issues on the console have shared their concerns on Reddit, noting that while their headsets activate, the audio quality is significantly compromised.
Many have described the sound as muffled and at a lower volume, detracting from their overall gaming experience. Interestingly, some users have pointed out that the headphones themselves function properly, indicating that the problem lies specifically with the console’s speaker output.
1. Repair Game Files
To begin troubleshooting, it’s advisable to repair your game files using either the Epic Games launcher or the Steam client. Issues can often arise from corrupted or missing game files. Here’s how you can verify the integrity of your game files on Steam:
- 1. Launch the Steam application and navigate to your Library.
- 2. Find Metro Exodus in your game list and right-click on it.
- 3. Select “Properties” from the context menu, then head to the Local Files tab.
- 4. Click on “Verify Integrity of Game Files…”
This process will initiate a verification check, which may take some time to complete. After the verification is finished, close the Steam client and restart your computer to implement any necessary changes.
2. Disable Nahimic Audio Driver
Nahimic serves as an audio driver chosen by your PC manufacturer to enhance the audio quality on devices such as laptops and motherboards. This reliable driver is engineered to improve and fine-tune the audio performance of your computer.
- To disable the Nahimic audio driver, open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc, then navigate to the Startup tab.
- From the list of startup items, turn off the Nahimic audio driver.
- Restart your computer afterward to verify if the issue has been resolved.
3. Update Audio Drivers
If you’re using the Realtek Audio Driver, you can conveniently access this article to download and install the most recent version tailored for your specific motherboard or laptop model. In addition, you can follow these steps to update your active graphics driver on a Windows computer:
- 1. Press the Windows + X keys simultaneously to open the Quick Link Menu.
- 2. Select Device Manager from the list to launch it, then double-click on the section labeled “Sound, video, and game controllers.”
- 3. Right-click on the audio device that is currently active or experiencing issues, and choose the option to Update driver.
- 4. Select “Search automatically for drivers” and wait for the process to finish.
- 5. If an update is available, your system will automatically detect and install it.
- 6. After the update is complete, be sure to restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect.
4. Reinstall Audio Drivers
It’s possible that your computer’s audio driver has become corrupted or is missing for unforeseen reasons. If you’re experiencing similar issues, you can resolve this by reinstalling the audio drivers on your PC. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
- 1. Press the Windows + X keys simultaneously to access the Quick Link Menu.
- 2. From the menu, select Device Manager to open it. Next, locate and double-click on the section labeled Sound, video, and game controllers.
- 3. Identify the audio device that is currently active or causing issues, right-click on it, and choose Uninstall device.
- 4. Confirm the uninstallation by clicking Uninstall again, and wait for the process to finish.
- 5. After the uninstallation is complete, restart your computer to implement the changes.
Upon rebooting, Windows should automatically detect and reinstall the missing audio driver or device (if it’s connected).
If the system does not install the driver automatically, take note of your computer model or motherboard model number and visit the official manufacturer’s website to download and install the most recent audio driver.
5. Remove Metro Exodus Config
To troubleshoot the issue, consider deleting the Metro Exodus configuration file from your computer. Here’s how you can do it:
- 1. Open File Explorer and navigate to This PC.
- 2. Locate your C: drive, where the game is installed.
- 3. Proceed to the following path: username\documents\Metro Exodus\settings and remove the Metro Exodus config file.
- 4. After deleting the file, restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect.
This process may help resolve the problem you’re experiencing.
6. Check the Wires of the Audio Output
Inspect the audio output device and cables to ensure they are securely connected and plugged into the correct port. This straightforward step is often overlooked, as users can occasionally forget or make errors in their setup.
7. Disconnect Other Peripherals
Consider unplugging any additional peripherals to reassess the problem. By using only a few essential external USB devices, you can better identify the source of the issue.
8. Test Out Other Speakers or Headsets
It’s advisable to try using different speakers or headphones with your computer during gameplay of Metro Exodus to determine if the problem lies with your current audio device.
9. Power Cycle your PC
Occasionally, restarting your computer can resolve various game-related problems. To execute a proper power cycle, follow these steps:
- First, turn off your computer and disconnect the power cable.
- Wait approximately one minute before reconnecting the power and turning the computer back on to see if the issue persists.
10. Turn Off Windows Sonic or Spatial Sound
To disable the Windows Sonic or Spatial Sound feature on your desktop or laptop, follow these steps:
- 1. Open the Start menu and navigate to Settings.
- 2. Click on System, then choose Sound from the options.
- 3. Look for Related settings and click on Sound Control Panel.
- 4. In the Sound Control Panel, select your playback device.
- 5. Click on Properties and then go to the Spatial Sound tab.
- 6. In the Spatial Sound format dropdown, select Windows Sonic for Headphones.
- 7. Finally, click Apply to save your changes and restart your computer for the new settings to take effect.
11. Reset BIOS
Should resetting the overclock settings prove ineffective, consider resetting the BIOS/UEFI configuration as an alternative solution. To do this, access the BIOS/UEFI menu by rebooting your computer.
Once inside, locate the option for BIOS Settings Reset or Default BIOS Setup. Select this option and confirm your choice. After the reset is complete, restart your computer to apply the changes.
12. Update BIOS
There are numerous resources and comprehensive guides online that can assist you in safely updating the BIOS/UEFI of your Windows system, tailored to your specific motherboard brand.
Similar to regular Windows updates, updating your BIOS can be essential for resolving various system crashes and errors.
Thank you for reading this guide! We hope you found it informative. If you have any additional questions or need further assistance, please feel free to leave a comment below.