YouTube Audio Renderer Error (Please Restart Your Computer)

May 29, 2023 / Shayne Sherman

Are you having problems playing videos on your browser and being presented with an Audio Renderer error message? This error is often encountered when playing videos on YouTube and occurs on any browser installed on your computer.

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Note: This error is similar to the issue where you can’t hear anyone on discord.

Several issues, such as faulty audio drivers, BIOS glitches, or Windows driver conflicts, can cause this error. Due to the number of reasons for this error, it is a little confusing how you can fix this issue, especially if you don’t know where to start.

Common Reasons for “Audio Renderer Error, Please Restart Your Computer”

In this section, we will discuss the most common reasons behind the occurrence of the “Audio Renderer Error, Please Restart Your Computer” message on your system. Understanding the root causes can help you diagnose and fix the problem more effectively.

Outdated or Corrupted Audio Drivers: One of the most common reasons for the audio renderer error is outdated or corrupted audio drivers on your system. These drivers are essential for the proper functioning of your audio devices, and if they are not up-to-date or have become corrupted, they can cause issues like the audio renderer error.
Conflicting Audio Devices: Another common reason for the audio renderer error is conflicting audio devices on your system. This can happen when you have multiple audio devices connected, and the system is unable to determine which device to use, leading to an error message.
Improper Audio Device Settings: If the settings for your audio devices are not configured correctly, it can result in the audio renderer error. For example, if the default audio device is set incorrectly or the audio format is not supported by your system, it can cause this error to occur.
BIOS Glitches: Sometimes, glitches in your system’s BIOS can lead to the audio renderer error. These glitches can cause your system to fail in recognizing your audio device or cause conflicts between your audio devices and other system components.
Windows Updates: In some cases, recent Windows updates may cause issues with your audio devices, leading to the audio renderer error. These updates can sometimes interfere with the proper functioning of your audio drivers or change the system settings related to audio.
Browser Issues: If you are experiencing the audio renderer error while trying to play videos on your browser, it might be due to an issue with the browser itself. Browser extensions, outdated versions, or corrupted browser files can contribute to this error.

Now that you are aware of the common reasons behind the audio renderer error, you can use the methods mentioned earlier in the article to diagnose and fix the issue. Remember to always keep your audio drivers and system software up-to-date to avoid such errors in the future.

How to Fix Audio Renderer Error, Please Restart Your Computer

Method 1: Re-Insert Your Audio Jack

This method might sound silly, but several users have reported that the error message was fixed after they tried to unplug and plug in their Audio jack.

It is possible that your computer did not recognize your audio device the first time you plugged it in, which causes the error message since it cannot find a device to send the sound output through.

To re-insert your audio jack, go to the back of your CPU, locate the Audio jack, usually green, and unplug it from your motherboard. After that, wait for 3-5 seconds, then plug it back into your computer.

Refresh your browser and try to play a video on YouTube once again to see if the issue is already fixed.

Read this guide if you’re having issues with the YouTube Error “An Error Occurred Playback ID.”

Method 2: Restart Your Computer

The next thing you can do to try and fix this error on Windows reboots your operating system. It is possible that your device drivers did not load correctly or encountered a temporary glitch that caused the audio message.

To fix this, you can try restarting your computer to allow it to reload all of its system resources. Check out the steps below to guide you through the process.

Step 1. On your computer, click on the Windows icon located at the lower left portion of your screen.

Step 2. Next, click on the Power Button to open the selection menu.

Step 3. Lastly, click on Restart to begin rebooting your operating system.

Now, wait for your computer to finish rebooting, then open your browser once again and try playing another YouTube video to see if the issue still occurs on your computer.

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Method 3: Run Windows Audio Troubleshooter

If you are having problems with your Audio on Windows, a built-in tool can help you fix various issues relating to Windows audio. You can check out the step-by-step guide below to run the Windows Audio Troubleshooter.

Step 1. First, press Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open the Run Command.

Step 2. After that, type ms-settings: troubleshoot and hit Enter on your keyboard.

Step 3. Next, inside the Troubleshoot tab, scroll down and click on Playing Audio.

Step 4. Lastly, click on Run the Troubleshooter and follow the on-screen prompts to guide you using the troubleshooter.

Once the scan is done, click on Apply this Fix if the troubleshooter finds any errors and suggests a fix for the problem.

However, suppose the Audio Troubleshooter did not find any errors on your computer, but you still have problems playing videos on your browser. In that case, you can proceed to the following method below to try and fix the issue.

Method 4: Restart Your Audio Driver

The next thing you can do if you see the audio renderer error on your computer is to restart your audio drivers. It is possible that your drivers encountered an error that caused your audio renderer to malfunction.

To fix this, you can try disabling and re-enabling your audio drivers. Follow the steps below to guide you on how to do it.

Step 1. Press the Windows Key + S on your keyboard and search for Device Manager.

Step 2. After that, click on Open to launch the Device Manager on your computer.

Step 3. Once inside the Device Manager, click on Audio Inputs and Outputs to expand.

Step 4. Lastly, right-click on your audio driver and click on Disable Device.

After disabling your audio device, right-click on your audio driver again and click on Enable Device. Next, relaunch your browser and go back to YouTube to see if the audio renderer error message still appears on your computer.

Method 5: Reinstall Your Audio Driver

If your audio drivers were not installed properly or badly corrupted, then a simple restart would not be able to fix the issue. However, you can try reinstalling your audio driver to ensure that it is appropriately installed and 100% working.

In reinstalling your audio drivers, check out the steps below.

Step 1. Press the Windows Key + S on your computer and search for Device Manager.

Step 2. After that, click on Open to launch the Device Manager on your computer.

Step 3. Next, click on Audio Inputs and Outputs to expand it.

Step 4. Lastly, right-click on your audio drives and select Uninstall Device. Follow the on-screen prompts to remove the driver altogether from your computer.

Restart your computer, and Windows will automatically install the proper drivers for your audio device. Once done, open your browser again and try to play a few videos to see if the audio renderer error message would still occur on your computer.

Audio Renderer Error: Frequently Asked Questions

How do I remove the audio renderer error?

The audio renderer error is a common problem caused by various things. To remove the audio renderer error, you will need to identify the cause of the problem and then take the appropriate steps to fix it.

An incorrect audio device setting is a common cause of the audio renderer error. To fix this, you must go into your audio settings and select the correct audio device.

How do I fix the audio renderer error in Windows 8?

If you are having audio issues in Windows 8, you are likely experiencing an error with the audio renderer. To fix this issue, you will need to update your audio drivers. You can do this by going to the Device Manager and finding the audio device that is having problems.

Right-click on the device and select “Update Driver Software.” You may need to uninstall and reinstall the audio driver if no updated drivers are available.

How do I fix the audio renderer without rebooting?

If you are experiencing issues with the audio renderer error, the best course of action is to reboot your system. This will clear any temporary files or settings causing the issue. If the problem persists after rebooting, try updating your audio drivers. You can also try troubleshooting audio playback in Windows.

How do I fix the YouTube audio renderer error?

First, check to see if your computer meets the minimum system requirements for running YouTube. You will need to upgrade your computer’s hardware or software if it does not. Second, try closing and reopening YouTube. Sometimes this can fix the YouTube audio renderer error.

Third, clear your browser’s cache and cookies. This can help to fix the audio renderer error on YouTube. Fourth, try using a different browser. If you are using Google Chrome, try Mozilla Firefox or vice versa.

How do I change the audio output on YouTube?

Changing the audio output might fix the YouTube Audio renderer error. To change the audio output on YouTube, you will need to adjust the settings on your computer. This can be done by accessing the sound settings on your computer and selecting the output device you would like to use.

How do I find my audio playback device?

To find your audio playback device, you must locate the sound icon in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen. Once you have located the sound icon, right-click on it and select “Playback Devices” from the drop-down menu.

This will open the Sound control panel, which will list all the audio playback devices currently installed on your computer. You can select your audio playback device, configure its settings, and choose your default audio playback device.