No sound from other apps

[mowgli_art]

So I switched off "allow applications to take exclusive control...." on the sound control panel and that allowed other applications to play audio but now Ableton crashes when I try to open it...

[dajer93]

I had this problem. even though I know my setup works with multiple apps. I managed to finally find a proper solution:
The setup:
- System: Windows 11
- Audio Interface: Steinberg UR12
- Using asio4all

If you are in the same boat, sometimes audio from multiple apps work, sometimes it stops working when you start Ableton, then here's what you need to do:
- Start Menu -> Services
- Find Windows Audio in the list
- Right click -> Restart

[Rivanni]

I had this problem. even though I know my setup works with multiple apps. I managed to finally find a proper solution:
The setup:
- System: Windows 11
- Audio Interface: Steinberg UR12
- Using asio4all

If you are in the same boat, sometimes audio from multiple apps work, sometimes it stops working when you start Ableton, then here's what you need to do:
- Start Menu -> Services
- Find Windows Audio in the list
- Right click -> Restart

Why are you using the inferior ASIO4ALL driver instead of the dedicated ASIO drivers available for your interface? With it, you won't have issues with sound coming from one app at a time (which is typical for ASIO4ALL.) If you still do, the settings below might prevent other apps from stealing the audio:

- Go to Settings > Sound > More Sound Settings. This opens an old-style Sound settings window.
- In the Playback tab, select your audio output and click Properties.
- Go to the Advanced tab and uncheck both options for Exclusive mode.
- While you're there, check the option Disable all sounds effects on the tab Enhancement and turn Spatial sound off on the last tab.
- Click OK to close the window.

- Select the Communications tab. Set the option to 'Do nothing' when Windows detect communications activity (which can also be another program).
- Click OK to close the window.

[simonwar]

I had same problem.
Went to Sound Settings in Windows 11

System > Sound > Properties > MiniFuse MAIN Left/Right

changed Format to "2 Channels, 24Bit 48000Hz", instead of 44100Hz - worked for me.

I was having problems going through tutorials and practising what I was seeing.