Stray has captured the hearts of players with its immersive world and memorable feline protagonist. However, encountering technical issues like no sound or audio can drastically hinder the experience. If you’ve launched the game only to be greeted by silence, you’re not alone. This guide will help you troubleshoot and resolve the issue with confidence.
Check Your System and Game Audio Settings First
Before diving into more complicated solutions, begin with the basics. One small misconfiguration is often all it takes.
- Verify your system volume: Ensure that your system audio is not muted and that your master volume is turned up. Also, check if your audio output device (e.g., speakers or headset) is correctly selected.
- Inspect in-game settings: Go to the game’s settings menu and check the sound options. Ensure that master volume and all other volume sliders are not turned all the way down or muted.
Update Audio Drivers
Outdated or corrupted audio drivers can frequently be the root of missing game audio. To ensure optimal performance:
- Use Windows Device Manager to update all your audio drivers.
- If using a dedicated sound card or a high-end headset, consider downloading the latest drivers directly from the manufacturer’s website.
- Restart your computer after the update process to apply changes.
Check for Audio Conflicts with Other Applications
Sometimes, other applications may interfere with game audio. Especially apps like Discord, OBS, or team chat software can take exclusive control of your audio device. Try these steps:
- Close all background apps, especially those that use audio input/output.
- Make sure no app is set to take “exclusive control” of the audio device. You can find this in the Sound Settings > Playback device properties > Advanced tab.
After applying these steps, relaunch the game and see if the issue persists.
Disable Spatial Sound or Third-Party Audio Enhancements
While spatial sound technologies like Windows Sonic or Dolby Atmos can enrich your experience, they occasionally conflict with game audio systems.
- Right-click the sound icon on your taskbar and choose Sound settings.
- Under your output device, click on Device properties and go to the Spatial sound tab.
- Set it to Off and test the game again.
Verify Game Files Integrity
Corrupted or missing game files can result in missing audio. Fortunately, most platforms offer a simple way to verify the integrity of installed games.
- If playing via Steam, right-click on Stray in your library and select Properties.
- Navigate to Installed Files and click on Verify integrity of game files.
This process may take several minutes. Repairing or re-downloading corrupted files often resolves audio problems instantly.
Set the Correct Output Device in Windows and Game
Especially for users with multiple audio output devices, sometimes the game might route audio through the wrong one.
- Ensure that your desired audio output device is set as default in system settings.
- In Windows 10/11, go to Settings > System > Sound and confirm that the correct output device is chosen under both Output and Advanced sound options.
Some versions of Stray allow adjustment of audio device from within the game. If that option exists, double check that it matches your system preference.
Reinstall the Game
If all else fails, consider reinstalling Stray. This might sound drastic, but it’s a reliable method for resolving persistent technical issues.
- Back up your saved game files if possible to avoid data loss.
- Uninstall the game via your chosen platform (e.g., Steam or Epic Games).
- Reboot your computer and perform a fresh install.
Contact Support
If none of the above steps work, it may be time to seek help from the game’s official support channels. Provide them with your system specs, steps taken so far, and details of the issue for more effective assistance.
You can reach out through:
- Steam Support if you purchased the game on Steam
- Publisher’s or developer’s official website or support page
- Dedicated community forums or official Discord servers for additional tips
Conclusion
Encountering no sound in Stray can be frustrating, but most problems can be resolved with systematic troubleshooting. From simple volume checks to reinstalling the game, each step brings you closer to a solution. Hopefully, with these trustworthy methods, you can soon return to exploring the neon-lit alleyways in full, immersive audio.