How to Fix No Sound or Missing Audio in GTA V?

Sound problems in GTA V usually happen when the game fails to build a stable audio path through Windows. This can occur when your playback device is not set correctly, when the audio configuration does not match your system settings, or when a third-party component interferes with the output signal. When that happens, the game may launch with no sound at all or with certain audio layers missing, such as voices, ambient effects, or music.

Most of the time, this is triggered by default device mismatches, channel configuration conflicts (for example, a 5.1 setup on stereo hardware), or virtual audio routing that disrupts the output. In some cases, driver instability and DirectX audio conflicts after a Windows update or hardware change can also lead to silent launches.

1. Restart the Windows Audio Service

When the Windows Audio Service becomes unresponsive, GTA V can lose its audio connection entirely. Restarting this service refreshes temporary glitches, re-initializes the audio drivers and background processes, and re-establishes the connection between your output device and the game. This is a quick way to restore audio without reinstalling anything.

1. Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
3. Scroll down and find Windows Audio.
4. Right-click it and choose Restart.
5. Close the Services window and check if the sound has returned.

2. Set Your Preferred Output Device as Default

If your preferred output device (like headphones or speakers) is not set as default, Windows may send the game’s audio to a different or inactive output. By selecting the correct default device, you ensure the signal is routed properly, which often resolves audio silence instantly.

1. Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar.
2. Select Sound settings.
3. In the Output section, click the arrow next to your preferred device (for example, your headphones).
4. Under Set as default sound device, choose Is default for audio.
5. Close the settings and relaunch the game to test the audio.

3. Delete Certain Audio Files and Reinstall DirectX

Corrupted or outdated audio libraries can cause GTA V to lose sound. Removing specific audio files and reinstalling DirectX forces Windows to replace them with fresh components. This often resolves hidden compatibility issues between the game and your system’s audio layer.

1. Close all applications and open File Explorer.
2. Navigate to:

   C:\Windows\System32

   

3. Find and delete the following files:

   x3daudio1_0.dll to x3daudio1_7.dll
   
   xaudio2_0.dll to xaudio2_7.dll

   

4. Download and run the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer from Microsoft’s official website.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
6. Restart your PC and check if the audio issue is fixed.