Windows Media Player Cannot Play Back the Audio Stream (236396)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 Series for Windows XP
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 Series for Windows 2000
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 Series for Windows Millennium Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 Series for Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player for Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player for Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 7.1
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 7
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.4
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.2
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.1
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.0
This article was previously published under Q236396

SYMPTOMS

When you try to play a video file that contains audio in Windows Media Player, you may receive one of the following error messages:
  • Cannot play back the audio stream: no audio hardware is available (Error=40258).
    -or-
    Cannot play back the audio stream: no audio hardware is available, or the hardware is not responding (Error= 80040256)

CAUSE

This issue may occur if either of the following conditions is true:
  • Your computer does not have a sound card, or your sound card is not working correctly.
  • Another program is currently using your sound card, so it is not available for Windows Media Player to use.

    Note This cause is specific to Microsoft Windows NT-based or Microsoft Windows 95-based computers.
  • The hardware acceleration is set to too high.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, use the appropriate method.

No Sound Card Installed

If you do not have a sound card in your computer, obtain and install one.

Sound Card Is Not Working Properly

Verify that your sound card works correctly by testing it in another program. Double-check to make sure the drivers are installed properly and check for updated drivers.

Another Program Is Using Your Sound Card

If you have a sound card in your Windows NT-based or Windows 95-based computer, verify that no other programs that need your sound card are running. If such programs are running, quit those programs.

Hardware Acceleration Slider Is Set too High

If the Hardware acceleration slider is not set to None, move the Hardware acceleration slider to a notch closer to None.

To do this in Windows 98 and 98 Second Edition, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Multimedia.
  2. Click the Audio tab, and then click the Advanced Properties button under Playback.
  3. Move the Hardware acceleration slider to a notch closer to None in the Performance section.
  4. Click OK, and then click OK again.
  5. Click Yes if you are prompted to restart your computer.
To do this in Windows Millennium Edition and Windows 2000, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Sounds and Multimedia.
  2. Click the Audio tab, and then click the Advanced button under Sound Playback.
  3. Click the Performance tab, and then move the Hardware acceleration slider to a notch closer to None.
  4. Click OK, and then click OK again.
  5. Click Yes if you are prompted to restart your computer.
To do this in Windows XP, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, click Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices, and then click Sounds and Audio Devices (or just Sound and Audio Devices in Classic View).
  2. Click the Audio tab, and then click the Advanced button under Sound Playback.
  3. Click the Performance tab, and then move the Hardware acceleration slider to a notch closer to None.
  4. Click OK, and then click OK again.
  5. Click Yes if you are prompted to restart your computer.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:9/15/2003
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb kbProd2Web kbui KB236396
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.