How To Fix “Failed to play test tone” Error on Windows 10

Test tone in Windows is used to check the balance between the left and right speakers and or headphones on your PC. However, there have been reports from Windows 10 users getting “Failed to play test tone” error. It affects other versions other than Windows 10 such as Windows 7 and 8 as well. The error indicates that there is an issue between Windows operating system and the sound device the PC is using. In here, we will talk about the causes why error message appears and the recommended solutions that you can try to fix “Failed to play test tone” error message on Windows 10.

Fix “Failed to play test tone” Error on Windows 10

There are several reasons why the error message occurs such as invalid sound configurations, damaged or corrupted audio drivers, outdated versions of audio drivers to a corrupted Windows files. Listed below are the troubleshooting solutions that you can perform to fix “Failed to play test tone” error on Windows 10.

Solution 1: Restart Windows Audio Related Services

Normally, Audio services automatically restarts on its own every after reboot of the system however there are instances where restart process fails that could lead to issues such as Failed to play test tone error. To fix this, you may need to manually restart Windows Audio related services using the steps below:

  1. Press Windows key + R on your keyboard to open RUN dialog box.

    Failed to play test tone

  2. At RUN box, type “services.msc” and press Enter or click OK. This will open Services window.

    Failed to play test tone

  3. At Services window, scroll down and locate Windows Audio service.

    Failed to play test tone

  4. Right click on Windows Audio service and then click Restart from the drop down menu.

    Failed to play test tone

  5. Exit Services window.

    Failed to play test tone

Check if Failed to play test tone error on Windows 10 still occurs.

Solution 2: Run Audio Troubleshooter

Troubleshooter is a built-in tool in Windows that scans your computer for problems and fixes the problem if there are any. To fix Failed to play test tone error, try to Run Audio Troubleshooter.

  1. Press Start or Windows logo button located at the lower left
  2. Click Settings, an icon that looks like a gear to open Windows Settings
  3. At Windows Setting, click Update & Security
  4. Click Troubleshoot at left pane.
  5. At right pane, click Additional troubleshooter.
  6. Under Get up and running, click Playing Audio
  7. Click Run the troubleshooter tab. Windows will now run audio troubleshooter.
  8. After Audio troubleshooter process is complete and it could not find any problem, click close to exit.

Check if Failed to play test tone error on Windows 10 still occurs.

Solution 3: Change Test Tone Default rate and Bit depth

Windows usually has a default test tone and Bit Depth based on the audio system (Speaker or headphone) that you are using. If the default test tone and Bit Depth is having issues, it can be the culprit for “Failed to play test tone” error on Windows 10. To fix this, you may need to change the default settings.

To do this:

  1. Type Control panel at the search bar located at the lower left.
  2. Click Control Panel result to open Control Panel window.
  3. At Control panel, make sure View by located at the upper right is set to Large icons.
  4. Click Sound
  5. Click on your speaker and then click Properties tab. A new window opens.
  6. At Speaker properties, click Advanced tab.
  7. Change one by one Bit Depth from the drop down menu and press Test for the best sound quality from Audio output device.
  8. Once you hear a tone, stay on that setting.
  9. Click Apply to apply changes made.
  10. Click OK to exit Properties.

Solution 4: Disable Audio Enhancements

Audio enhancements is useful for that bass virtual surround and equalization of the loudness in the computer. Although there are times when audio enhancement packages on your computer deplete with over time use affecting the quality and at the same can cause ‘Failed to play test tone” issue. To fix this error, try to disable enhancements and then check if the error will be fixed.

To do this:

  1. Type Control panel at the search bar located at the lower left.
  2. Click Control Panel result to open Control Panel window.
  3. At Control panel, make sure View by located at the upper right is set to Large icons.
  4. Click Sound
  5. Click on your speaker and then click Properties tab. A new window opens.
  6. Click Advanced tab.
  7. Under Signal enhancements tab, make sure “Enable Audio enhancement” is unchecked.
  8. Click Apply to apply changes made.
  9. Click OK to exit Properties.

After disabling audio enhancement, check if error Failed to play test tone on Windows 10 still occurs.

Solution 5: RUN SFC scan

SFC or System File checker scans the computer for corrupt system files. It is possible that a corrupt system files is what’s causing Failed to play test tone in Windows 10. To fix this issue, try to run System file checker scan and then check if the issue will be fixed.

To do this:

  1. Type Command Prompt at the search bar on your Windows located at the lower left.
  2. Right click on the Command Prompt result and click on Run as Administrator from the drop down menu for command prompt admin access. If User account control (UAC) appears, click OK.
  3. At command prompt window, type the command sfc /scannow and hit Enter key. Scanning for corrupted or missing files will begin. Wait for the process to complete. Make sure not to abort.

After running SFC scan, check if Failed to play test tone error on Windows 10 still occurs.

Solution 6: Reinstall Audio driver

Corrupted Audio drivers can also be the culprit for the error to occur. To fix the error, you may need to reinstall audio driver.

To do this:

  1. Press Windows key + R on your keyboard to open RUN dialog box.
  2. At RUN dialog box, type “devmgmt.msc” and press Enter or click OK to open Device Manager.
  3. At Device Manager window, scroll down and click Sound, Video and game controllers to expand it.
  4. Right click on your Audio Device name and then click Uninstall device from the drop down menu.
  5. Restart computer.
  6. After computer completely reboots, Windows will automatically install audio driver software on your computer.

After reinstalling audio driver, check if Failed to play test tone error on Windows 10 still occurs.

After following the solutions mentioned, you will successfully fix “Failed to play test tone” error message on Windows 10.. Visit our TheDroidGuy Youtube Channel for more troubleshooting videos.

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