Post-1.4-patch sound effect problems

caelianb16_ESO · September 2014

Since the 1.4 patch my game has lost a lot of its sound effects, e.g.:
- calling the mount no longer gives the "whistle", there is also no trodding sounds.
- holding the left-mouse button swinging my sword doesn't give any attack sounds.
- i also got the impression a lot of the combat skills tend to start a sound effect but then seem to get canceled almost immediately, (Puncturing Sweep e.g. gives a sound for the initial hit, but none for any of the consecutive hits).

Anybody else experiencing similar issues ?

Update: Let a repair run in the background while i wrote this, problem seems to be gone now.

ZOS_GaryA · September 2014

Hey there @caelianb16_ESO,

We're glad to hear that a repair solved the problem. If you run into the same thing again, keep us posted and we'll be happy to help!

Ezareth · September 2014

I would note that I had this same issue after updating and I did not repair.
I reset my audio settings to default (which didn't work) and then I closed the game client completely, relaunched the game and now all my sounds are working correctly again.

Trog65 · September 2014

I had exactly the same issue. I was logging in and out sorting my chars out, when suddenly there was little sound and the horse was silent, whistle and running.

I tried re-logging but it didn't fix it. I re-started the game and that did fix it. Definitely a patch bug

Arkath · September 2014

Same problem. Restarting the game did fix it, but then particular sounds completely cut out eventually. I ran a repair, no difference.

Kevinmon · September 2014

Same problem.

BigM · September 2014

Had music but no other sounds, footstep's etc.. Repair did fix it. Now game runs a lot better.

Did notice there was no error log after repair is this normal?

Xupacabra · September 2014

Same here, some sounds dont work after loging on and off some alts only can be fix with a complete quit game. This was not like this before patch.

BigM · September 2014

Yep keeps happening, either a repair or a few restarting game fixes it.

BergisMacBride · September 2014

This is a recurring problem that happens to me after being in game for a variable period of time. For me, many sound effects (weapon swap, horsesteps/whislting, footsteps, combat sound effects) will just stop working altogether. Rebooting and/or repair will correct it but the problem recurs, at least for me.

Markuseb17_ESO15 · September 2014

i had the same problem not after the patch but after the fix that was rolled out later. after restarting the game a couple of times (no repair, no change of settings), the sound came back. funny thing was that the sound of some spells worked while others remained silent.

with the sound of some spells missing, i realised how much you rely on animation AND sound in combat. with the missing sound (of some spells) combat was much harder.

Epona222 · September 2014

Since the last update, I have intermittently lost all sound effects.

I can still hear the music, but on occasion sound effects (such as hoofbeats, resource gathering noises etc.) just disappear and are not audible.

The most common correlation I have found is that it happens frequently after I have used a wayshrine or zoned into a different area.

Typically, the sound effects return after 15 or so minutes of play.

I have not had to run repair to get them to come back, they just come back eventually (which leads me to believe it is not an issue with corrupt files that might warrant a client repair, it's something else going on).

Vez · September 2014

I too am having intermittent sound effect loss since the last patch. Restarting the game restores the sound effects but they eventually cut out again.

@ZOS_GaryA

ZOS_GaryA · September 2014

Hey there folks,

We believe the issue is related to the usersettings.txt file. Deleting this file will restore all of the game settings to default, and has restored sound to a normal state for a large majority of players.

To do this, head to My Documents\Elder Scrolls Online\live and simply delete the Usersettings.txt file.

If you had any custom settings for the game, specifically in the Video section, you will need to make those changes again. Let us know if this fix doesn't restore the sound to normal. Thanks for your patience!

HalloweenWeed · September 2014

Yeah I've been having the same prob:
ESO CS forum: "Personal" sound not working at first since 1.4.3

Hmm, don't know why that link don't work right, is correct in the text tag. Well you may have to find it manually.

Just linking to tie these.
So far so good, I have tried the "repair" option. But this prob doesn't manifest on every login for me.

BergisMacBride · September 2014

ZOS_GaryA wrote: »

Hey there folks,

We believe the issue is related to the usersettings.txt file. Deleting this file will restore all of the game settings to default, and has restored sound to a normal state for a large majority of players.

To do this, head to My Documents\Elder Scrolls Online\live and simply delete the Usersettings.txt file.

If you had any custom settings for the game, specifically in the Video section, you will need to make those changes again. Let us know if this fix doesn't restore the sound to normal. Thanks for your patience!

@ZOS_GaryA‌

I tried this before logging in this evening with 1.4.4 and the sound problem described recurred almost immediately upon zoning into Cyrodiil.

mikfez · September 2014

All sound effects have gone a little weird or are missing - I now have one sound effect that nearly blows the speakers when I sell junk - deleting the usersettings.txt doesn't help.
- edit
- I'm now getting random sound effects when walking/running along - even with the sound settings at minimum I get the speaker splitting sound effect now and again.

babylon · September 2014

mikfez wrote: »

All sound effects have gone a little weird or are missing - I now have one sound effect that nearly blows the speakers when I sell junk - deleting the usersettings.txt doesn't help.
- edit
- I'm now getting random sound effects when walking/running along - even with the sound settings at minimum I get the speaker splitting sound effect now and again.

I've heard a couple weird sound effects when fighting a couple times now, like the sound drivers crashing or something (buzzing/humming sound) briefly.

Using latest NVidia drivers for both video and audio, connected through HDMI.

And just to clarify, I have redone the user settings text file and repaired client. Haven't had the sounds drop out entirely for a day now, but that weird buzz sound has occurred since doing both.

ZOS_GaryA · September 2014

Hey everyone,

Thanks for letting us know. Let's see if there are some additional steps we can take.

When some sounds are extremely quiet and others are ear-splitting, it's usually caused by the speaker settings. Specifically, ESO can utilize 5.1 sound, but if you only have two speakers, you'll lose a large majority of the audio except for stuff that happens to your sides.

To check this, right click on the Speaker icon in the system tray on the bottom-right corner of the Windows screen and select Playback Devices. Your default device is indicated with a green check mark. Click it once to select it, then choose Configure to make changes.

This is where it gets a bit tricky. Each audio driver has a different user interface once Configure is selected. You'll want to find a setting for Audio channels and ensure that the sound is set correctly to the amount of speakers you have. If you have two speakers and a sub, you'll want to go with Stereo. 5 speakers, 5.1, 7 speakers, 7.1, etc.

@babylon, for you specifically, since you're getting a weird hiss, if you see any devices in the Playback Devices section that you aren't using, right click them and disable them. If it's later determined that you need it, you can right click in a blank space in the box and choose "Show Disabled Devices" to bring it back.

Let us know the results!

mikfez · September 2014

Thanks GaryA - I'm running a 5.1 system and I've checked it's setup up - all OK. I've also disabled all other audio devices to no effect.
- The effect that is used when swopping weapons is the one that keeps breaking through. It also sounds randomly when I'm running/walking/swimming.
- update
- I've just changed zones to Stonefalls and the first hit of the pick when mining is now missing and there's no sound effect for getting a skyshard. When I change active mount the effect blasts through the speakers

babylon · September 2014

ZOS_GaryA wrote: »

Hey everyone,

Thanks for letting us know. Let's see if there are some additional steps we can take.

When some sounds are extremely quiet and others are ear-splitting, it's usually caused by the speaker settings. Specifically, ESO can utilize 5.1 sound, but if you only have two speakers, you'll lose a large majority of the audio except for stuff that happens to your sides.

To check this, right click on the Speaker icon in the system tray on the bottom-right corner of the Windows screen and select Playback Devices. Your default device is indicated with a green check mark. Click it once to select it, then choose Configure to make changes.

This is where it gets a bit tricky. Each audio driver has a different user interface once Configure is selected. You'll want to find a setting for Audio channels and ensure that the sound is set correctly to the amount of speakers you have. If you have two speakers and a sub, you'll want to go with Stereo. 5 speakers, 5.1, 7 speakers, 7.1, etc.

@babylon, for you specifically, since you're getting a weird hiss, if you see any devices in the Playback Devices section that you aren't using, right click them and disable them. If it's later determined that you need it, you can right click in a blank space in the box and choose "Show Disabled Devices" to bring it back.

Let us know the results!

My speakers are set up correctly, using 5.1 through HDMI (I have 5 speakers and a sub). I have only one device enabled in the playback section, and that's the one I use (my receiver using nvidia audio drivers and connected through HDMI).

It isn't a hiss, sounded like a buzzing sound, very briefly, I think after a mob died, and only happened a couple times now. The noise was definitely out of place though. And I've only ever heard the noise since the 1.4 patch.

Orchish · September 2014

Would like to add my name to the list, sound issues with horse hoofs not playing, it seems to play once every few seconds then goes silent. Weapon swapping and sheathing stops making any sound for me as well.

BigM · September 2014

I think the problem is between the launcher and game, for some reason when we log in it loses settings from there, going in and out of game seems to be only thing that fixes it (some times having to do it couple of times). Even running repair doesn't fix it every time.

I did the steps you told us to do and it does not fix it. My sound outside of game is working perfect.

Good luck finding the problem and hope you get it sooner or later. By the way still love the game.

Merlin13KAGL · September 2014

I get more of a muffling effect, especially when many effects are going on at once. Using 5.1 and all setting are good.

Lightning form is another that has gotten considerably quieter, both on activation and the crackle while active.

HalloweenWeed · September 2014

Followup: Ever since I did "repair" all is well with the sound so far.

Kevinmon · September 2014

just logged into the game no *** sound effects whatsoever

TomLukman · September 2014

The missing sound effects usually occur after several re-logs of characters. Most common to notice are missing horse sounds, missing weapon strike sounds or spell sound effects. Sometimes it takes only one re-log (by re-log I mean 'ESC' -> "Log out" to character selection) but in most cases it takes at least 4 or 5 for the bugged sound to kick in. I think some ambient sounds go missing as well as the whole game starts sounding a bit (for the lack of better term) different then usual (calmer, more quiet atmosphere).

I only get this problem after re-log or entering Cyrodiil, I haven't noticed it in any other situation so far, even after playing one character for hours so I believe it's something to do with re-logging (maybe sound engine not cleaning up and shutting down cleanly on log-out)

EDIT: I had missing sounds suddenly re-appear after using a few crafting stations in Riften and Cyrodiil (after deconstructing items).

ZOS_GaryA · September 2014

Hey there folks,

Just wanted to let everyone know that we're looking into the intermittent sound issues. We thank for you for your patience while we investigate the issue.

For now, it seems that a repair will fix the issue most of the time, albeit temporarily. We'll be sure to most more information as it becomes available.

As always, any additional information or reports are welcomed. Troubleshooting that works, troubleshooting that doesn't work, additional observations, etc all add to the data that we have and can go towards a faster resolution. Thanks to everyone for all of the detailed reports to this point, we've forwarded them along to the appropriate department for review.

HalloweenWeed · September 2014

Update: No, "repair" didn't fix it, 'cause it just happened again. As I said, it is intermittent, therefore it is not a "settings" problem, as that would be constant.

ThisOnePosts · September 2014

Sometimes it's repair, sometimes zoning, other times going into an instance, relogging, restarting client, etc... I have encountered this so many times at this point and have noticed sometimes one fix works when it didn't previously.

Also, I have to /reloadui often to use the E button in order to deposit things in the bank or accept items from mail. This is usually only upon login and persists even with add-ons disabled.

babylon · September 2014

Yep, repaired, checked settings, redone user settings for game, checked sound settings on computer are all okay...sound effects like skills, my own footstep sounds, the whistle when you summon your horse, horse hoof noises, and the sounds when you gather materials at a node will STILL disappear after switching through several alts...which you have to do to get your crafting minion mails...

Curiously, I can still hear the hoofbeats of other players' horses, their footsteps/skills etc, the sounds other players make while gathering, and so on. The sound dropout is only on the sounds I (and my horse) make.

This sound dropout after switching alts is random, and I can often switch through a bunch of alts with no issues.

*even weirder, after porting the sounds did not come back, but after going into a bank and talking to a bank teller, then exiting the bank, those sounds came back (by itself, with me doing nothing).

@ZOS_GaryA