How to fix “Failed To Play Test Tone” Error On Windows 7, 8 and 10?

The failed to play test tone is the error which can be seen when there is a problem between the Windows and the sound device that you are using on the computer. Thus, if you are not able to experience any sound, this error will often come and will interrupt your functioning on the computer. Though people are not aware as to how to deal with the issue, but we have listed down a few of the methods or the ways by which you can easily get rid of the issue.

Method 1- Restart windows Audio

This is the first and the easiest solution of all that will help you get rid of the issue within a matter of few minutes of going through all the steps mentioned below. To do this, you need to follow the steps given below-

1. Press the Windows and R keys on your keyboard simultaneously to open the Run  In the Open box, type services.msc and press Enter, or click OK.
2. From the Services window, scroll in the list until you find the Windows Audio Restart it by pressing the Restart button on the top toolbar. Close the Services window and you should have your sound back.

Method 2- Run sfc/ scannow from an Elevated command prompt

If you are not able to solve the issue by following the previous issue, you should try this fix, to get rid of the issue. For this, you need to do the following-

1. Open the Start menu by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard, and type  Right-click the result and select Run as administrator. This will open an Elevated Command Prompt.
2. In the Elevated Command Prompt, type sfc/scannow and press Wait for the scan to complete, don’t interrupt it. Reboot your device when it’s done.

Method 3- Disable all enhancements

By disabling all the enhancements, you can get rid of the issue. To do this step, you need to follow the steps given below-

1. From the Start menu on your computer, type Control Panel and open the result.
2. Switch to Large Icons or Small Icons view, whichever is more convenient, and locate Open it by double-clicking it
3. Select your speakers by clicking them. Click the Properties button near the bottom.
4. Navigate to the Enhancements tab and disable all enhancements and sound effects. Click Apply and then OK to save your settings, and everything should be back to normal.

Method 4- Delete the KB974571 update

If the above method does not solve the issue, try this method to get rid of the problem. To do this, you need to follow the steps given below-

1. Open Control Panel using the steps in the previous method, and again, switch to the Icons  Find Programs and Features and open it.
2. In the Programs and Features window, on the top left side, you will see a View installed updates link, click it.
3. Find the KB974571 update and click  Select Uninstall from the toolbar in order to remove it. Notethat you may need to restart your computer before the process ends, so make sure to save your work. Wait for the process to finish.

Method 5- Install the high definition audio device driver

You can even try this method, to get rid of the issue. To do this, you need to follow the steps given below-

1. Open the Device Manager by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard and typing Device Manager, then opening the result.
2. Expand Sound, video and game controllers and select your current audio driver. From the Action tab, select Update Driver Software.
3. Click on Browse my computer for driver software, followed by Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer.
4. From the list, select the High Definition Audio Device driver and click Click Yes in case you get a User Account Control prompt. Wait for the wizard to finish and reboot your device.
5. If the driver isn’t available, visit the manufacturer’s site and download the driver (latest one) for your sound card.

Method 6- Add the local service in the local users and groups

You can try this method also, to get rid of the issue. To do this, follow the steps given below carefully-

1. Right-click This PC or My Computer, depending on which version of Windows you have, and select Manage from the dropdown menu.
2. To the right, you will see a System Tools Double click Local Users and Groups, and select Groups beneath it.
3. Right-click Administrators in the list in the middle of the window, and select Add to group.. from the dropdown menu.
4. Click Add, then Advanced, and then click Find Now.Double click Local Service, and click  You should see NT Authority\Local Service in the list, click OK. Close the Computer Management window and reboot your device. Your problem should be solved.

Method 6- Change the sound format

Try this method also, to get rid of the issue. To do this, you need to do the following-

1. Right-tap on the volume logo in says bar and then select “Playback” device in the menu appear on your screen.
2. Here the “Sound” window start, you need to remember that your speaker is connected and set up as the original device.
3. Tap on “Set as original device” in the menu.
4. Choose your audio driver and then tap on Properties.
5. In the Properties window, move to “Advanced” option.
6. In the “Default Format” option, choose another audio format, and then tap “Apply” and then tap on “OK.”

Conclusion

Thus, all the steps listed above will definitely help you get rid of the problem without causing any further disturbance or any issue to the computer’s performance and you will be able to enjoy the sound without any interruption.