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Lose speaker volume and some channels when FF is running

15 replies
5 have this problem
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Last reply by Nick2012

11 years ago

Nick2012

10/7/13 06:08 ಪೂರ್ವಾಹ್ನ

Hello...

I'm not sure if this is the right category for the issue but here goes.

I've been noticing an annoying issue for quite a few versions of FF (currently using 22.0). If I'm listening to music in Winamp when FF isn't running, all is well...audio comes out of all channels and sounds great but after loading FF and sometimes browsing to any site, my speakers seem to lose a lot of oomph. The bass and centre speakers drop out and I'm left with a rather tinny, flat sounding stereo. Then if I close FF, it returns to normal within a second or two. The pages I'm browsing to don't seem to have any audio/video files running in the background, although there is sometimes embedded media content on the pages which isn't playing.

I've tested this in IE10 and my music continues to play loud and clear when browsing. Kinda loathe to download and test on Chrome as I'm not a fan.

I've also tried running FF in safe mode and unfortunately, the same thing happens.

In Windows 7 sound settings, I have set the communications tab to 'Do nothing' when Windows detects communication activity. I've also unchecked the 'exclusive mode' options on the advanced tab of my sound card.

Does anyone know if there is a configuration setting within FF that will enable me to continue listing to 5.1 or 7.1 audio when FF is running please?

I haven't tested with another media player as yet..but I will do that tomorrow as my kids are in bed. Not sure if it's Winamp related anyway as it works fine with IE10.

Thanks :)

Hello... I'm not sure if this is the right category for the issue but here goes. I've been noticing an annoying issue for quite a few versions of FF (currently using 22.0). If I'm listening to music in Winamp when FF isn't running, all is well...audio comes out of all channels and sounds great but after loading FF and sometimes browsing to any site, my speakers seem to lose a lot of oomph. The bass and centre speakers drop out and I'm left with a rather tinny, flat sounding stereo. Then if I close FF, it returns to normal within a second or two. The pages I'm browsing to don't seem to have any audio/video files running in the background, although there is sometimes embedded media content on the pages which isn't playing. I've tested this in IE10 and my music continues to play loud and clear when browsing. Kinda loathe to download and test on Chrome as I'm not a fan. I've also tried running FF in safe mode and unfortunately, the same thing happens. In Windows 7 sound settings, I have set the communications tab to 'Do nothing' when Windows detects communication activity. I've also unchecked the 'exclusive mode' options on the advanced tab of my sound card. Does anyone know if there is a configuration setting within FF that will enable me to continue listing to 5.1 or 7.1 audio when FF is running please? I haven't tested with another media player as yet..but I will do that tomorrow as my kids are in bed. Not sure if it's Winamp related anyway as it works fine with IE10. Thanks :)

Chosen solution

Found it! Downgraded from latest flash to version 10. The problem is fixed. how to downgrade: http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1022066?tstart=0

👍 1

Answer 1 · 2013-07-10 06:08:25

Andrew

Moderator

11/7/13 03:35 ಪೂರ್ವಾಹ್ನ

Please check if all your plugins are up-to-date. To do this, go to the Mozilla Plugin Check site.

Once you're there, the site will check if all your plugins have the latest versions. If you see plugins in the list that have a yellow Update button or a red Update now button, please update these immediately.

To do so, please click each red or yellow button. Then you should see a site that allows you to download the latest version. Double-click the downloaded file to start the installation and follow the steps mentioned in the installation procedure.

Answer 2 · 2013-07-10 06:08:25

Nick2012 Question owner

11/7/13 08:21 ಪೂರ್ವಾಹ್ನ

Thanks for the reply feer56.

After a little testing with plugins, it seems the problem is related to the flash player plugin. I am using the latest version.

I have been able to reproduce the issue with IE and also WMP so it looks like I may have to post a thread on Adobe.

I need to do some more testing though but it's getting a little late and as much as I'd love to piss my neighbours off, I will exercise a little restraint :)

Answer 3 · 2013-07-10 06:08:25

Nick2012 Question owner

11/7/13 07:22 ಅಪರಾಹ್ನ

It's definitely the Flash Player plugin. It behaves a little differently compared to the Flash Player ActiveX in IE which is why I initially thought the problem didn't occur in IE.

5.1 Audio will work fine in FF after launching but as soon as I go to a page that has any flash content on, even if that flash content isn't playing, the sound drops out of a few speakers. When I stop the content and move to another page, the sound is still affected. I have to either close FF or stop the Flash Player processes in the task manager to get the sound working properly again.

IE on the other hand is a little different. Sound works fine navigating to a page that has flash content but will cut out of a few speakers when I choose to play the flash content. Leaving the page restores normal function to the speakers.

Can anyone think of any settings in Flash Player that may enable me to overcome this or is this by design and nothing can be done about it?

Thanks.

Answer 4 · 2013-07-10 06:08:25

Andrew

Moderator

12/7/13 01:40 ಪೂರ್ವಾಹ್ನ

Please visit this article for help; http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1018071

Answer 5 · 2013-07-10 06:08:25

Shahab2500

1/12/13 11:28 ಅಪರಾಹ್ನ

Have exactly the same problem, any way to solve it?

Answer 6 · 2013-07-10 06:08:25

FredMcD

2/12/13 02:20 ಪೂರ್ವಾಹ್ನ

Open your Windows Volume Mixer and check its settings. BTW, your Firefox is a few versions behind.

Answer 7 · 2013-07-10 06:08:25

Shahab2500

2/12/13 02:32 ಪೂರ್ವಾಹ್ನ

thanks, i've checked the settings but no good. and my Firefox is up to date. (25.0.1). Also my flash player is up to date.

when i open a page containing flash content, my center speaker turns off, and sides get louder, it seems that flash, forces the sound from surround (5.1) to stereo (2 channels).

Modified ಡಿಸೆಂಬರ್ 2, 2013 03:03:31 ಪೂರ್ವಾಹ್ನ -0800 by Shahab2500

Answer 8 · 2013-07-10 06:08:25

Nick2012 Question owner

2/12/13 09:47 ಅಪರಾಹ್ನ

I started the thread in October when I was using v22. I'm currently using v25.0.1 and the problem persists.

Answer 9 · 2013-07-10 06:08:25

FredMcD

3/12/13 05:50 ಪೂರ್ವಾಹ್ನ

Go back and open your Windows Volume Mixer, and leave it open so you can watch it. Play something that you have no trouble with and watch the mixer window. Then do the same with the problem clip. Is there any differences? Some of the settings are program independent so watch carefully.