in-game audio stops working intermittently after upgrading to digital speakers

[Candaan001]

Version and language: 6.20 English
Modified: Issue persists with Vanilla version
Game start: The Accomplished Scientist
Exact nature of the problem: Sound stops working in game at random times, but can be started again by resetting sound to defaults via sound settings.
Sound has been working normally until new Logitech G560 speakers were installed. Speakers are digital (USB) not analog. When issue happens in game you can alt tab to windows and the sound works in the windows environment.
Windows event log does not show any errors at the time.
Game files have been verified.
Firmware is up to date on the speakers.

Link below to Vanilla Save and DX Diag.
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/oms2dyrw ... xfrlt&dl=0

Noted odd error when exporting Vulkaninfo

vulkaninfo > "%UserProfile%\Desktop\vulkaninfo.txt"
WARNING: [Loader Message] Code 0 : Layer name GalaxyOverlayVkLayer does not conform to naming standard (Policy #LLP_LAYER_3)
WARNING: [Loader Message] Code 0 : Layer name GalaxyOverlayVkLayer_VERBOSE does not conform to naming standard (Policy #LLP_LAYER_3)
WARNING: [Loader Message] Code 0 : Layer name GalaxyOverlayVkLayer_DEBUG does not conform to naming standard (Policy #LLP_LAYER_3)
WARNING: [Loader Message] Code 0 : windows_read_data_files_in_registry: Registry lookup failed to get layer manifest files.
WARNING: [Loader Message] Code 0 : Layer VK_LAYER_OW_OVERLAY uses API version 1.2 which is older than the application specified API version of 1.3. May cause issues.
WARNING: [Loader Message] Code 0 : Layer VK_LAYER_OW_OBS_HOOK uses API version 1.2 which is older than the application specified API version of 1.3. May cause issues.

Not sure if this Vulkan error is the problem or not.
I'll uninstall the Nvidia drivers and re-install to see if that fixes it.

[Candaan001]

Vulkaninfo.txt did actually export and has been added to the Dropbox link.

I've used the Guru3d display driver remover to remove and re-install Nvidia driver 536.99.
I've also run Windows SFC, DISM and Chkdsk.
SFC found some corrupt files and successfully repaired.

I found site with a similar Vulkan error saying Overwolf is the problem.
I have that and am uninstalling it now to test.

[Alan Phipps]

It is indeed quite possible to be found to be an issue associated with Overwolf. Other X4 players have found that overlay to cause choppiness in-game, to mess up their otherwise working graphics/Vulkan driver suites, or even to prevent the game starting at all on their systems.

Also have you ever played Stalker with the Anomaly mod as that has been known to mess up OpenAL sound systems too?

By the way, your 536.99 Nvidia driver sounds a rather older version - the WHQL one I use now is 545.84 after previously using WHQL 537.58.

[Candaan001]

Thanks Alan,
That nvidia driver was just one i had already downloaded.
I'm updating it now to the current one.

After testing for a few hours on the vanilla save with no mods, after the repairs and software removals, I though I was safe to say the problem was solved.
However, after a couple of hours on my modded save the issue occurred again, so I reverted to vanilla with no mods for a few more hours and then the fault occurred for me.

I'll start a new vanilla save this morning and leave it run while I am at work to see if I can replicate the fault again in vanilla.

I suppose the other test could be to leave music running in the windows environment all day to see if I can get it to happen out of game, then we could pin it down to the speakers.

[Candaan001]

As follow up, I have uninstalled all the supplementary USB applications on my PC like EVGA flow control and Corsair iCue, rebooted and am running a vanilla game in a dock so I can hear the noise constantly as well as VLC player on loop, so I can hear in game sounds and out of game sounds.
I've left this running while I'm at work so when I get home I expect either the game sound to not be working but the VLC working, or knowing my luck, both will be working.
Will update after I get home.

[Alan Phipps]

Good luck, by the way I checked your download link to have a look at any DxDiag device/app error messages and DropBox says the folder is empty.

[Candaan001]

Well yesterday was eventful.
I got home after leaving the system running, with both in-game audio and windows audio, to find both in-game and windows sounds were running!
Hurray!.... or so I thought.
Played the game for a little while then I got the same problem again.
Reset the audio started playing again and the audio cut out again.
Both times I noted I was using my mouse.
Swapped out the mouse. Nope, happened again.
Swapped out the keyboard. Nope, happened again.
I am currently performing a clean install (to a spare hard drive) with the BIOS reset to defaults and only XMP mode enabled, and I am only going to install drivers necessary for the game to run.

I'm pretty sure that the issue is something to do with the speakers.
At least this should prove it, as my system has been running without any errors until I got these damned speakers.

[Alan Phipps]

One of the issues with sound drivers/devices in X games is that you can rarely change sound device/driver while the game is still running without the sound stopping. If there is an in-game glitch with your digital speakers or their driver, the OS may switch to another sound device/driver that may or may not work but either way may require you to restart the game exe. By then your digital speakers/driver may be back up as default.

Unfortunately I cannot tell much more without the information downloads which show as an empty folder. The DxDiag *should* indicate in Windows Error Reporting if your sound driver has stopped working in a session.

[Candaan001]

Hi Alan,
As always many thanks for your response.
I took the speakers back to the retailer yesterday to have them tested, but instead they replaced them with a different brand of digital speaker.

These worked for a time and glitched, not in exactly the same way, but this prompted me to do some more investigation.
I found one suggestion about the USB root hub in the Windows device manager and disabling the power management function.

https://www.minitool.com/images/uploads ... ting-2.png

I did this for all USB root devices that had the option and have not had a problem since.

I also found the below which I will play with as I'm curious.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/top ... 98ba44804f

I cannot imagine I am the only person to have had this problem and hopefully I can save someone else from loosing sleep about it.

I'll also attach my diagnostic files for you... if you are still curious.

[Alan Phipps]

Ah that sounds hopeful. Yes, if the OS were to switch off a sound device for any reason during X game play, no matter for how short a duration, then it may not work in-game when switched back on until the game exe is restarted. Good catch!

No need for the files if the reason is a standard OS optional 'feature' setting - but thanks for the heads-up.

[Candaan001]

Thanks for your help Alan.
It is appreciated.

[OverwolfSupport]

It is indeed quite possible to be found to be an issue associated with Overwolf. Other X4 players have found that overlay to cause choppiness in-game, to mess up their otherwise working graphics/Vulkan driver suites, or even to prevent the game starting at all on their systems.

Also have you ever played Stalker with the Anomaly mod as that has been known to mess up OpenAL sound systems too?

By the way, your 536.99 Nvidia driver sounds a rather older version - the WHQL one I use now is 545.84 after previously using WHQL 537.58.

Hi,

My name is Dana, I'm part of Overwolf's support team.

I came across your post, and I was hoping you might agree to share more information regarding the issues with Overwolf that you mentioned.
Overwolf actually doesn't support X4: Foundations, so it wouldn't be able to overlay on top of the game, but there might be something else at play here that isn't related to the overlay.

Any additional information or examples would be helpful, so please feel free to send me a message here or on our support website: https://overwolf.freshdesk.com/en/support/tickets/new

Thank you!

[Alan Phipps]

PM sent to OverwolfSupport.