In this article you will learn about how to fix an audio renderer error in windows 10. A complete guide step by step procedure with pictures. Do you keep getting the message “Audio renderer error?” While watching—or attempting to watch—YouTube in Windows 10, do you get the “Please restart your computer” message? If you haven’t already, follow the instructions in the message and restart your computer. Following that, clear the browser cache.
If that doesn’t resolve the YouTube audio renderer error (or if it reappears after some time), there could be a software issue with your audio devices. The fixes listed below should assist you in resolving this issue.
Unplug and reconnect the sound device
If you have a wired audio playback device connected to your computer (like headphones)? Then this is the case, unplug it and try watching a video on YouTube.
You can re-plug the device if you don’t get the YouTube audio renderer error. That alone could be enough to solve the problem for good.
Having multiple external playback devices connected to your computer simultaneously can cause the YouTube audio renderer error.
Keep the default playback device connected and unplug the other audio device. Then, see if that fixes the issue. Are you not having any luck? Continue reading. Also check How to Fix Windows 10 Taskbar Not Working
Close Audio Mixing Programs
Mixcraft and other audio mixing programs can take exclusive control of the audio drivers, preventing your browser from using them. If you have a similar program running in the background, completely exiting it before watching YouTube can help.
You can also control these apps by controlling your audio devices. In Mixcraft, for example, go to File > Preferences > Sound Device and uncheck the Exclusive Mode checkbox.
This can induce latency issues while using the program, so make sure to use Exclusive Mode (or its equivalent) when necessary. This may also fix an audio renderer error in Windows 10.
Disable/Enable Sound Devices
Disabling and re-enabling your computer’s default audio playback device is another effective fix for the audio renderer error in Windows 10.
1. Select Device Manager from the menu that appears when you right-click the Start button.
2. Increase the number of audio inputs and outputs.
3. Select Disable device from the context menu when you right-click your default audio device.
Note: Select the Volume icon in the system tray to determine your default playback device if multiple devices are listed.
4. To confirm, click Yes.
5. Right-click the audio device once more and choose Enable device.
Run Audio Troubleshooter
If you still notice the YouTube audio renderer error, it’s time to use Windows 10’s built-in audio troubleshooter. It can detect and fix you in resolving underlying issues.
1. Go to the Start menu, type troubleshoot settings and then press the Enter key.
2. Select the Additional Troubleshooters option.
3. Select Playing Audio, followed by Run the Troubleshooter.
4. Follow on-screen instructions to troubleshoot any issues with your audio devices.
Rollback Audio Drivers
Did the YouTube audio renderer error appear after updating any audio playback device or sound card drivers? In that case, you should try rolling them back. If you haven’t updated your audio drivers, you won’t use the Roll Back Driver option in the steps below. Also check How to Fix a Stuck Windows 10 Update
Audio Playback Device
1. Select Device Manager from the menu that appears when you right-click the Start button.
2. Increase the number of audio inputs and outputs.
3. Select Properties in context menu of your default audio device.
4. Navigate to the Driver tab.
5. Choose Roll Back Driver.
Audio Card Drivers
1. In the Device Manager, expand the Sound, video, and game controllers section.
2. Select Properties from the context menu when you right-click the audio card driver.
3. Navigate to the Driver tab.
4. Choose Roll Back Driver.
5. If you see multiple audio drivers, repeat steps 2-4.
Update Audio Drivers
If you cannot roll back your audio drivers (or if doing so did not fix the YouTube audio renderer error), do the opposite and update them instead.
Audio Playback Device
1. Select Device Manager from the menu that appears when you right-click the Start button.
2. Increase the number of audio inputs and outputs.
3. Select Update driver from the context menu of your default output device.
4. If available, select the Search automatically for drivers to apply the most recent driver updates.
Audio Card Drivers
1. In the Device Manager, expand Sound, Video, and Game Controllers.
2. Select Update driver from the context menu of your sound card driver.
3. If you see multiple audio drivers, repeat step 2.
Update Windows 10
Have you recently updated Windows 10? An out-of-date system can result in a slew of technical glitches and anomalies. If you haven’t already, do so right now.
1. Click on Start button and type Windows Update, now press Enter.
2. Select Check for updates and install any available updates.
3. Click on Optional Updates (just below the Check for Updates button) to install any audio-related updates that are available.
Update Web Browser
An out-of-date web browser can also cause problems with web apps like YouTube. However, browsers like Chrome and Firefox are designed to update automatically; it’s always a good idea to double-check.
Open the Chrome menu, point to Help, and then select About Google Chrome in Google Chrome.
Open the Mozilla Firefox menu, point to Help, and select About Firefox. Then, in Microsoft Edge, navigate to the Edge menu, then to Help & Feedback, and finally to About Microsoft Edge.
Disable Hardware Acceleration
To accelerate things, your browser makes use of hardware acceleration. However, the feature has been known to cause YouTube-related issues randomly. Disable hardware acceleration to see if it fixes the audio renderer error in Windows 10. Also check how to fix COM Surrogate Windows 10 Virus
Google Chrome
1. Navigate to the Chrome menu and choose Settings.
2. Select System from the Advanced menu.
3. Deactivate the switch next to Use hardware acceleration when available.
Mozilla Firefox
1. Select Settings from the Firefox menu.
2. Navigate to the General tab and scroll down to the Performance section.
3. Uncheck the Use hardware acceleration when available box.
Microsoft Edge
1. Navigate to the Edge menu and select Settings.
2. Select System from the Advanced menu.
3. Deactivate the switch next to Use hardware acceleration whenever possible.
Switch Browsers
The YouTube audio renderer error can sometimes be specific to a particular browser. If you usually use Chrome, try switching to Firefox or vice versa.
Update BIOS
According to forum chatter, updating the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) system is a possible solution for the YouTube audio renderer error, particularly on Dell laptop devices. However, this can put your entire computer at risk if done incorrectly.
If you decide to proceed, we strongly advise you to read our BIOS update guide to learn everything you need to know about the procedure.
Start Watching
Hopefully, the troubleshooting tips above assisted you in permanently resolving the YouTube audio renderer error in Windows 10. If you have any other fixes that have worked for you, please share them in the comments section below.
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