Are you struggling in finding Stereo Mix in Windows? This stereo mix feature may disappear from your pc. Stereo Mix is an essential feature of Windows OS. It is a virtual audio device that allows you to record sound directly from the playing speaker.
Although stereo mix windows 10 is a fantastic feature, many windows users have reported that this feature simply vanishes from their computers. A majority of people notice its disappearance after updating to Windows 10. It doesn’t matter which reason cause this issue, because we are here to help you with this problem.
So, continue to read this article to know how to enable Stereo Mix in Windows 10.
Recommended : No Audio Output Device Is Installed” Error On Windows 10
What Is Stereo Mix?
Stereo Mix is a unique feature by Microsoft that helps you record the sound playing from your speakers without any analog/digital conversion. This feature is a recording option available on some sound cards used with Windows OS.
It allows you to capture live streaming radio, game sounds, system sounds, and yup to record the website’s audio. Usually, this feature is disabled by default on most Windows OS. To use this impressive feature, you should enable it from the system settings. If you don’t know how to enable stereo mix Windows 10, read the feature to know-how.
What Are The Root Causes For The Disappearing Stereo Mix On Windows 10?
Windows 10 is continuously upgrading itself and try to eliminate features and programs that are unnecessary. It might be possible when you update your Windows version, and it’s a sense that you are not using this, Windows will automatically remove this feature. But you can restore it easily.
These are some root cause which can raise the problem of a missing stereo mix on Windows 10:
A microphone is unable:
If your microphone device does not have access to audio recording, the stereo mix will also be disabled. Apps must be allowed to access your microphone from Windows 10 settings.
The stereo mix is listed as disabled
If the stereo mix is disabled as a virtual audio device in the voice settings, you can’t use this feature. So, make sure you have it enabled again to fix the problem.
Audio Driver
Stereo Mix is only available for drivers provided by pc manufacturer. And these drivers will need to be updated if you are using the Microsoft built-in default.
1. Your Microphone is accessible
You can’t use the Stereo Mix program if your microphone does not have access to a computer. It will automatically stop the use of the stereo mix program. This solution is straightforward and will save you hours of effort. So, make sure you do not skip this method when you are doing stereo mix troubleshooting in Windows 10.
Step 1: First, you have to click the cog icon at the bottom left of the Windows menu to open the ‘Settings’ app. You can also search for setting in the Windows menu. For this, you have to press the Windows button and type Settings in the search box. Then select the Settings option from the search.
Step 2: Make sure you scroll down and click on the Privacy section until you see it. On the left side of the window, you will see the Application Permission section. Scroll down until you reach the microphone and click on this option.
Step 3: First, you have to check if microphone access is on with this device option. If not, click Edit and set the slider to On. It will provide microphone access.
Step 4: Then turn on the slider under the “Allow apps to access your microphone” option and scroll down the list of apps installed on your computer. Toggle the slider next to the apps you want to access the list.
Step 5: Restart your computer to see if the problem still appears. If it does, try this next method.
2. Enable Stereo Mix feature from Sounds
If your computer has a stereo mix by default, you can easily enable it. For this, follow these easy steps;
Step 1: First, you have to press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Step 2: To open the Sounds Utility tab, type mmsys.cpl in the Run dialog and then click “OK.”
Step 3: When the sound window appears on your screen, you have to go to the “Recording” tab.
Step 4: On the Recording tab, right-click on a location and check the “Show disabled devices” option.
Step 5: You will notice that ‘Stereo Mix’ now on the driver’s list.
Step 6: Next, right-click on “Stereo Mix” and then click “Enable.”
Step 7: Stereo mix Windows 10 is now enabled on your computer. You will see a little green near the ‘Stereo Mix’ option.
Step 8: After that, you can click “Apply” to save the changes and then click “OK.” That’s it! Stereo Mix successfully launched on your computer.
3. Show disabled devices
As a virtual sound tool, the Windows 10 stereo mix feature may be disabled automatically. It may be considered unnecessary, or the third-party application may be disabled. It is a massive mistake because hiding the device under the recording devices is unnecessary. Make sure you investigate the cause of your problem!
Step 1: First, you have to right-click on the volume icon at your screen’s bottom right and select the Voice option. Another way is to open the control panel on your PC and set the view option to larger icons. After that, find the Sounds option and click to open the same window.
Step 2: Now navigate to the Recording tab of the Sound window that opens. It shows that the stereo mix is turned off.
Step 3: Right-click anywhere in the center of the window and select the box next to Options to show disabled devices and disconnected devices. The stereo mix should appear now. Right-click on it and select the Enable option from the context menu that appears.
Make sure you try it out to see if it works!
4. Update your audio driver
Many users have reported that they were able to fix the problem by reinstalling their audio device drivers. It is the easiest way to achieve it, and it is definitely worth your time. See below!
Step 1: Click on the Start menu at the bottom-left of the screen, then type “Device Manager,” then click on the first one and select it from the list of available results.
Step 2: You can also press the Windows key + R key combination to bring up the Run dialog box. Type “devmgmt. msc”, and then click on OK to proceed.
Step 3: If you want to update the driver for your headphones, expand the Voice, Video, and Game Controllers section. Right-click on your headphones in the list and select Update Driver from the context menu.
Step 4: Automatically select update driver software as an option from the new window and wait for the utility to find new drivers. Search automatically for updated driver software.
Step 5: Check if your headphones are visible under Playback Devices in Voice Settings!
If this method doesn’t work, try the next one. It is possible that you don’t have Stereo Mix drivers on your computer. So, follow the following method to download and install Stereo Mix drivers.
5. Download and install Stereo Mix Driver
It might be possible that Stereo Mix drivers are not installed on your computer. So, if your computer does not have a stereo mix driver, you will need to download and install the driver.
Step 1: You have to right-click on the Windows icon and then click on “System.”
Step 2: You should check the ‘Device Features’ on your computer.
Step 3: Next, you specify the ‘System Type.’ If it is “64-bit” or “32-bit”.
Step 4: Next, go to this Realtek stereo mix official website to download the codec.
Step 5: Now, click on the download icon next to the codec, depending on the system type (64-bit or 32-bit).
Step 6: Next, check the “I agree above” option.
Step 7: Now, enter your email address.
Step 8: Next, you have to click on the “Download This File” option to begin the downloading process.
Step 9: Select the appropriate location to download the codec package.
Step 10: Click “Save” to save. And open that window.
Step 11: Press the Windows key + e to open the File Explorer window.
Step 12: You should move to that location where you have kept the downloaded package. Double click on it.
Step 13: Now, click on the “Next” option to initiate the installation process.
Step 14: Finally, when the installation is complete, click “Finish.”
Step 15: Press the Windows key + R shortcut key to open the Run window.
Step 16: In the Run menu, type “mmsys.cpl” and press the enter key.
Step 17: Now, in the Sound window, click on the Recording tab.
Step 18: On the Recording tab, right-click on a location and check the “Show disabled devices” option.
Step 19: You can see that ‘Stereo Mix’ is now on your list of drivers.
Step 20: Now press the right-click button from the mouse on “Stereo Mix” and click on the “Enable” option.
Stereo mix windows 10 is now enabled on your computer. You will see a small green icon next to the ‘Stereo Mix’ option.
Step 21: Finally, click “Apply” to save the changes, and then click “OK.”
It will allow you to activate the stereo mix on your Windows 10 computer easily.
6. Turn on the stereo mix for Conexant HD audio
If the audio device on your computer is a connected HD audio device, the following steps will help you restore the stereo mix in Windows 10. If you have a problem with your computer or laptop/notebook, you should try to use Restore Repair, which scans collections and replaces damaged and lost files. It works in most cases where the problem arises due to system corruption.
Carefully follow the steps below as there are some advanced troubleshooting that needs to be done carefully. Good luck with solving the problem!
Step 1: First, you have to open libraries on the PC on which you have Stereo Mix missing issue. For this, you have to click on This PC option from the left-hand side of the menu.
Step 2: Now, you have to navigate to the file location mentioned below. This path follows you to the location of the file, which needs to be edited to enable stereo mix windows 10:
C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\CALCC2WA.inf_amd64_07118bd8a2180658
Note:
If the file “CALCC2WA.inf_amd64_07118bd8a2180658” is not found and you cannot follow the steps below, the file may slightly differently name on your PC. To locate the file, download the portable version of PSPad (from here) and run the PSPad.exe file.
Your computer may not have the exact file ‘CALCC2WA.inf_amd64_07118bd8a2180658‘. The file name on your system may be slightly different.
Try to find the file in this directory-
C: \ Windows \ System32 \ Driverstore \ File repository
Step 3: Next, right-click on the file “CALCC2WA.inf_amd64_07118bd8a2180658” and click on “Properties”.
Step 4: Click on the Security tab from the window.
Step 5: Next, click “Advanced.”
Step 6: When the advanced security settings appear, click on the “Change” option next to ‘Owner:.’
Step 7: In the Advanced Settings window, click “Add.”
Step 8: Then click on “Select Principal.”
Step 9: Click “Advanced.”
Step 10: After that, you have to click on the ‘Find Now’ option.
Step 11: Next, select your number name from the list.
Step 12: Select the username by selecting the Advanced button or type your username in the field labeled ‘Enter the object name to select’ and click OK. Add everyone’s account.
Step 13: Follow it by clicking the Add button below and then the Principal button above. Select the username via the Advanced button or type your username in the ‘Choose Enter Object Name’ type field and click OK. Add everyone’s account.
Step 14: Under the Basic Permissions section, make sure you select Full Control before applying the changes you made.
Step 15: When you successfully grant permissions to the ‘CALCC2WA.inf’ file, it is time to edit it. Right-click on it and select Open with Notepad. Make sure to enter ‘stereo’ in the find box before clicking the Find Next button using the Ctrl + F key combination.
Step 16: You can see three lines inside the file. The lines should look like this:
;HKR,%EPattributePath%\EpSettings\StereoMixEnable,Enable,1,01
;HKR,%EPattributePath%\EpSettings\StereoMixEnable,MixAssocSeq,1,E0,E0
;HKR,%EPattributePath%\EpSettings\StereoMixEnable,MuteGainSettings,1,00,00
Step 17: Remove the semi-colons in front of each row. Click File and then click on the save the changes option or use the Ctrl + S. Exit Notepad and proceed with the following steps.
Step 18: It is time to reinstall the audio driver. Click the Start Menu button at the bottom left of the screen, type “Device Manager,” click on the first one, and select its entry from the list of available results.
Step 19: You can also use the Windows key + R keys to open the Run dialog box. In the dialog box, type “devmgmt. msc” and click OK to run Device Manager.
Step 20: Expand the Voice, Video, and Game Controllers section by left-clicking on the arrow next to the name as you want to reinstall the driver for your audio devices. Right-click on the Connexion HD audio entry in the list and select Uninstall Device from the context menu. Uninstalling connection audio.
Step 21: Confirm any dialogs that prompt you to confirm the uninstallation. Do not check the box labeled “Delete the driver software for this device” because you want to reinstall this driver file.
Step 22: Restart your computer and check if the stereo mix feature is back on your computer!
If, in the end, nothing works for you, you can use a third party like VB-Audio Cable. It helps you to create a single output and input. The output audio is routed to the input audio. You can record any audio program from this virtual input.
How To Install VB Audio Cable?
Well, it is quite simple to download and install VB audio cable. For doing so, follow these easy steps;
Step 1: First, you need to download the VB Audio Cable’s folder from its official website.
Step 2: Now, unzip the download folder.
Step 3: From the unzipped files, find VBCable_Setup.exe or VBCable_Setup.exe file. For this, you can use the search function from Windows.
Step 4: Now follow the installation steps. And please restart your computer. It will refresh all libraries and enhance your computer performance.
Step 5: After the installation process, you should open the Control Panel and click on the Sound option.
Step 6: Now you have to check the new audio input and output creation. It will be much easier to record when you set both input and output from your default devices.
VB Audio Cable also has a control panel. And you don’t have to install anything for this. You have to open VBCable_ControlPanel.exe from the download zip file. In this control panel, you can see the sample rates up to 96 kHz. You can also monitor and modify the audio levels.
How To Use VB Audio Cable?
Once you set the VB audio Cable as your default playback device, you don’t have to hear audio from the speakers. Windows 10 has supreme functionality. To hear this, you have to open the Sound Control Panel, go to the recording tab, and select properties.
In the listen tab, you have to tick the ‘Listen to this device’ option. When you check it, you can also choose your speaker o headphones to listen to all recorded audios.
Conclusion:
Hopefully, this article helps you to enable the Stereo Mix in Windows 10. It might be possible that all methods don’t work for you, so it is advised to use them one by one—comment below, which helps you enable or restore stereo mix. You can also write to us about your doubles or questions through the comment box.
Recommended Reading:
- What is YourPhone.exe In Windows 10 And Can We Disable It
- How to Connect PS3 Controller on PC Windows 10
- How to Remove Activate Windows 10 Watermark
- How To Enable Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) In Windows 10 Home Edition
- Audio Renderer Error ‘Please Restart Your Computer’
- How To Fix “The Default Gateway Is Not Available” Error
