Fix Failed To Play Test Tone Error By Applying Some Quick Fix Methods

The notification regarding failed to play Test Tone can be a critical issue for Windows users, which needs serious attention and troubleshooting techniques. Getting this error means something problematic between the sound device or driver installed on your Windows.

However, this issue can occur in your device due to various reasons and it can involve both software and hardware problems. If users have certain doubts on whether their audio device is working fine, Windows can help with it. But, a majority of users have found that Windows 10 failed to play Test Tone due to technical issues. So, if you want to gain more insight on this sound error in Windows, keep reading this article.

Here, you will get to learn a few underlying causes responsible for failure while playing the test tone on Windows. Also, you can go through the solutions to troubleshoot this audio error and apply it on your Windows-based machine.

Reasons why Windows Failed to Play Test Tone and Causing Audio Error

The issue of failed to play Test Tone can become a serious problem if you don’t resolve it sooner. But, in order to decide which solution is perfect to troubleshoot this error, you must be aware of the causes of audio problems in Windows. So, let’s discuss a few of them to know why you are receiving this error.

• According to Windows experts, PCs that are using a few specific audio drivers can display this issue. Mostly, this can happen when your computer has an outdated sound device installed in it.
• Sometimes, the problem can occur with the USB headphone or sound card on your Windows. Hence, the error can appear if the external USB audio devices have any technical error or physically damaged.
• This issue can arise when the graphics card and HDMI cables are not properly installed on Windows. As these are linked to the installation of audio devices on your system hence, any technical difficulty can prevent test tone from playing.
• If the audio settings are misconfigured on your Windows, it can stop sound devices to work normally.

List of Solutions to Troubleshoot Failed to Play Test Tone Problem

If you are getting annoyed by the audio issues due to which Windows has failed to play Test Tone, it’s time to apply some technical fixes. So, let’s take a look at a few methods, which can help to resolve Windows sound problems.

Method 1: Start the Windows Audio Service once Again

For those experiencing error failed to play Test Tone, you can try restarting Windows Audio service in your PC. Even though many customers have temporarily resolved this sound issue with this fix, it can fix your issue permanently.

So, access the Run dialog box on your Windows 10 by hitting both Windows key and R button altogether. Then, enter ‘services.msc’ in the text field and click on ‘OK’.As the window of ‘Windows Services’ shows up on your desktop, scroll through the items and locate ‘Windows Audio’ service.

Then, select this item and hit the ‘Restart’ button above the toolbar. You can restart your computer and check if the sound is back and Windows is able to play the Test Tone.

Method 2: Use Elevated Command Prompt to Scan Windows 10

For some reason, if the above fix doesn’t resolve failed to play Test Tone Windows 10 issue, try this solution. Here, you will have to use the System File Checker (SFC) tool in Windows to restore audio settings.

To run a full scan using SFC, first, click on the Windows Start menu and open the search box. Then, write ‘cmd’ in the field and choose the option of Command Prompt. However, you need to right-click on this Desktop application and select the ‘Run as administrator’ option. Only then, Windows will run this app as an Elevated Command Prompt window.

After this, enter the ‘sfc/ scannow’ command in the black space and hit the tab of ‘Enter’. You will have to allow some time to Windows in order to execute the scanning process. Once it gets over, you can reboot your Windows 10 and verify if the Audio Settings are working.

Method 3: Turn Off Settings that Enables Sound Enhancements

Often, the reason behind Windows 10 failed to play Test Tone can be due to enabling audio enhancement settings. But, a majority of Windows users have troubleshot the sound issue by disabling these enhancements.

If you also want to try this solution, click on the Start menu on your PC and access the search box. Then, search for Control Panel and view the list of items by choosing ‘Small Icons’.

Next, hit the tab for ‘Sound’ and open the settings by double-clicking on it. You must identify the speakers installed on your Windows 10 correctly. So, click on the icon of your audio device and open the ‘Properties’ button.

Now, go to the section of ‘Enhancements’ and turn off the tabs for sound effects and audio enhancements. After doing this, make sure to click on the tabs of ‘Apply’ and ‘OK’ to save these changes in Windows 10. Hopefully, now your audio device will work normally and will not generate error failed to play Test Tone.

Method 4: Remove or Uninstall Windows Update KB974571

As reported by many Windows 10 users, failed to play Test Tone Windows 10 error can happen right after applying the KB974571 update. So, if your system is also producing sound issues due to this update, apply this fix.

To try this troubleshooting technique, open the Windows Start button and use the search bar to locate the Control Panel. Then view the list of programs on ‘Control Panel’ window in terms of icons and open the tab for ‘Programs and Features’.

Then, go through the installed updates on your Windows and find the update of KB974571. If the list contains this particular update on your system, this is the reason behind failed to play Test Tone Windows 10 error notification. Hence, select this particular update and hit the ‘Uninstall’ button.

Once you reboot your PC after deleting KB974571 update, hopefully, it will not cause any audio issues anymore.

Method 5: Make Use of HD Sound Device Driver on Windows

A majority of Windows 10 users have resolved this sound error by installing high definition audio device drivers. So, to apply the same fix, you will have to utilize the feature of Device Manager in Windows.

On your Windows 10, type ‘Device Manager’ in the search box and open the section of ‘Sound, video and game controllers’. Then, click on the audio driver installed on your Windows. Now, hit the tab of ‘Action’ and choose the option of ‘Update Driver Software’.

Next, you can click on the ‘Browse my computer for driver software’ button. After this, you have to select the link for ‘Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my PC’.

As the list appears on your screen, find the driver for ‘High Definition Audio Device’ and hit the ‘Next’ button. If Windows prompts you regarding any User Account Control agreement, click on ‘Yes’ for confirming it.

You should now wait for the Windows to search for the best possible sound drivers to play test tone. Once the process is complete, install the updated driver to fix issues with your sound card.

Method 6: Ensure Local Users and Groups Adding Local Service

This method may not look like a perfect solution for audio device issues on Windows 10. But, many users have found this fix suitable to resolve the sound problem in Windows.

To apply this solution, locate the icon of ‘My Computer’ or ‘This PC’ on your computer and click on the ‘Manage’ option. Then, locate the feature of ‘Local Users and Groups’ below the section of Windows System Tools.

Now, you need to choose the ‘Groups’ tab after double-clicking on ‘Local Users and Groups’. From the list, select ‘Administrators’ and right-click on it. After this, open the tab of ‘Add to group’ and choose the ‘Add’ button.

Next, click on the ‘Advanced’ tab followed by ‘Find Now’. You should now find the Local Service button and double-click on it. Then, hit the ‘OK’ button and search through the list to find the option of ‘NT Authority\Local Service’.

Press the tab of ‘OK’ and restart your Windows 10 based computer. Now, check whether it displays the notification regarding Windows 10 failed to play Test Tone.

Method 7: Modify the Playback Device’s Sample Rate

Sometimes, changing the sample rate can resolve audio problems in your Windows-based PC. Hence, you have to locate the sound icon on the taskbar and right-click on it. Then, choose the option of ‘Playback devices’ and hit the tab of ‘Playback’ on ‘Sound’ window.

Next, select the Speakers icon installed on your Windows and already set as the ‘Default device’. After opening the ‘Speakers Properties’ window, click on the ‘Advanced’ section and go through the sample rate options.

The default sample rate can be set as ‘16 bit, 44100 Hz’ in most of the Windows PCs. However, you need to select ‘6 bit, 48000 Hz’ or any other sample rate to make your audio device work.

After selecting the suitable sample rate for your Windows playback device, click on ‘Apply’ and ‘OK’ buttons. In case, the default value is not set as ‘16 bit, 44100 Hz’, you can hit the ‘Restore Defaults’ button. Now, try to play the test tone and check whether the sound device is working properly.

If the error message ‘failed to play Test Tone’ is still appearing on your PC after applying the above solutions, it’s time to install new Audio Drivers for your PC. Also, there can be advanced sound configurations you need to apply to restore the audio device.

So, if you are not a tech-savvy person, you can consult a computer technician to fix sound issues. If you have some quick fixes for playing the test tone without any technical failure, share it in the comments section.