Re: [FIXED] Sound gone after leaving game alone/minimizing/tab out

@LarkRanger  When this happens, are you switching sound output devices, or is it possible the device you're using is disconnecting?  For example, a Bluetooth headset might drop the connection and reconnect again in a second or two, which you might just hear as skipping in other games.  To test, please play while your computer is connected to only one device, one that plugs in directly, e.g. built-in speakers or headphones that use a jack.  If you get a crash with one device, unplug it and plug in something else, then restart your computer and try again.

If you get another crash, please run a dxdiag and attach it to a post.

https://help.ea.com/en/help/pc/how-to-gather-dxdiag-information/

Yes, I just tried manually and this issue seems to happem whenever the current audio device is unplugged.

Unfortunately seems my Realtek issue has NOT been resolved, so what Realtek does it unplug my deivce and then "rediscover" it a second later but that's enough to but The Sims 4 out.

But also without Realtek screwing with me, I tried unplugging my headphones while playing and the same thing happened.

Attache dis the dxdiag info, but when getting it I did get a sound error. I found that my Realtek service isn't running at all (despite which Realtek itself is still acting up which is insane to me) so I'm at a loss, still.

@LarkRanger  There's a current issue with Sims 4 losing sound and/or hanging when the audio output device is switched.  This is the bug thread:

https://answers.ea.com/t5/Bug-Reports/Sound-gone-after-leaving-game-alone-minimizing/td-p/10681938

Post 3 has a useful description, if you're interested.  If you'd like, I'll merge this thread into that one, but I did want to post a suggestion about the audio driver first.

Your Realtek audio driver is 2.5 years old, so it's not surprising that it would be having issues.  You can try updating it with Windows: hit Windows key-X, select the Device Manager, open the Audio tab, click on anything with Realtek in the name, and click the black and green Update icon at the top of the window.  If you don't find anything to update in the Audio section, check the Sound section too.  If Windows installs an updated driver, restart your computer and try to play.

If Windows can't find a new driver, Realtek may have one for your device.  Your current driver version is 6.0.8703.1, from May 2019.  If you find a newer one on the Realtek site, download it, take your computer offline, uninstall the current driver through the Device Manager, and install the new one, then go back online and restart.