Playing a video game without sound can be a frustrating experience, especially in a game like Balatro, where audio cues significantly enhance gameplay and immersion. Whether you’re hearing no audio at all or only partial sound, this issue can stem from a variety of causes, ranging from in-game settings to system-level misconfigurations or driver issues.
TL;DR
If your audio isn’t working in Balatro, start by checking the game’s audio settings and ensuring your system’s sound drivers are up to date. Next, confirm your default playback device is set correctly, and try running the game as an administrator. Reinstalling the game or verifying game file integrity via Steam might be necessary if issues persist.
Common Causes of Audio Issues in Balatro
Before diving into specific solutions, it’s important to understand the typical reasons audio might not work in a game like Balatro. Here are a few common culprits:
- Incorrect audio output device selected
- System-level sound issues or muted game volume
- Corrupted or missing game files
- Conflicting third-party software
- Outdated or corrupted drivers
Step-by-Step Solutions to Fix Balatro Audio Issues
1. Check In-Game Audio Settings
The first place to look is within the game itself. Launch Balatro and head to the audio or settings menu. Ensure that:
- Master volume is turned up
- Music and sound effects sliders are not set to zero
- No mute options are selected
Additionally, make sure that audio isn’t being redirected to a non-existent or inactive sound device.
2. Inspect Windows Sound Settings
Once you’re sure in-game settings are correct, check your operating system’s sound configurations. Here’s how you can do this on Windows:
- Right-click the sound icon in the system tray and select ‘Sounds’
- Navigate to the ‘Playback’ tab
- Ensure the correct playback device is set to default (e.g., headphones or speakers in use)
- Right-click the device and click ‘Test’ to verify it’s working
- Try switching the default device, then switching back
Also, ensure that Balatro isn’t muted individually in the system Volume Mixer:
- Right-click the sound icon again and choose ‘Open Volume Mixer’
- Check that Balatro isn’t muted or significantly lowered in volume
3. Run Balatro as Administrator
Sometimes, games require elevated permissions to interface correctly with system hardware, including sound drivers. Try running the game as an administrator:
- Right-click on the Balatro shortcut or exe file
- Select ‘Run as administrator’
If this solves the issue, you can make this setting permanent:
- Right-click the exe and select ‘Properties’
- Go to the ‘Compatibility’ tab
- Check ‘Run this program as an administrator’
- Click ‘Apply’ and then ‘OK’
4. Update or Reinstall Audio Drivers
Outdated sound drivers can cause compatibility problems with modern games. Updating them is often a quick fix:
- Open Device Manager (search it from the Start menu)
- Expand ‘Sound, video and game controllers’
- Right-click your active audio device and select ‘Update driver’
- Choose ‘Search automatically for updated driver software’
If updating doesn’t help, try uninstalling and reinstalling the driver:
- Right-click the device in Device Manager and choose ‘Uninstall device’
- Restart your PC; Windows will attempt to reinstall the proper driver
5. Verify Game Files via Steam
If you installed Balatro through Steam, a common and effective fix is verifying the integrity of the game files:
- Open Steam
- Navigate to your Library and right-click Balatro
- Select ‘Properties’
- Go to the ‘Installed Files’ tab
- Click ‘Verify integrity of game files’
This process will automatically identify and replace any corrupted or missing files that could be affecting audio output.
6. Disable Unnecessary Background Programs
Certain third-party programs—especially those controlling audio devices—may interfere with in-game sound. Try closing non-essential software before launching Balatro. Pay special attention to:
- VoIP apps like Discord or Skype
- Virtual audio devices (VoiceMeeter, ASIO, etc.)
- Audio enhancement programs bundled with sound cards
7. Try Switching Audio Output API (Advanced Troubleshooting)
Some users have resolved audio problems by editing configuration files manually. If Balatro supports configuration through external .ini files, look for any variable related to the audio device or API in use (such as DirectSound, WASAPI, or XAudio2). You may attempt to switch to a different format and see if that resolves the issue.
Note: Proceed with caution and always make a backup of config files before modification.
8. Perform a Clean Reinstallation of Balatro
If none of the above steps resolve the problem, a full reinstall might be necessary:
- Uninstall Balatro via Steam or Control Panel
- Navigate to the installation directory and remove any leftover files
- Restart your PC
- Reinstall the game from a fresh download
Be sure to also delete or backup any saved configuration or settings files that may persist post-uninstallation.
What If You’re Using External Audio Devices?
If you’re using external audio hardware like USB sound cards, dedicated DACs, or wireless headphones, additional configuration might be required:
- Ensure the device drivers are installed and up to date
- Match the audio playback format with system capabilities (e.g., Stereo vs 7.1 Surround)
- Use high-quality cables and ports; avoid daisy-chaining through hubs
Also check for platform- or hardware-specific forums—some gamer’s audio issues have been resolved due to obscure fixes related to specific headsets or soundcards.
Still No Luck? Contact Support
If all else fails, it might be time to contact the support team for Balatro or consult with your system manufacturer’s technical support. When doing so, be sure to provide them with the following:
- Operating System Version
- Balatro Version
- PC specs: CPU, Memory, GPU, Sound hardware
- When the issue started and any recent changes
- What troubleshooting steps you’ve already tried
This will assist them in diagnosing your problem more quickly and accurately.
Final Thoughts
Audio problems in modern games like Balatro can be caused by a surprising array of issues, but with a structured approach, most of them can be resolved quickly. Start with the basics—game settings and sound device configurations—and work up to more involved solutions like file verification and driver updates. For many users, one of these solutions will bring the game’s audio back to life and restore the experience as the developers intended.
With some patience and methodical troubleshooting, you’ll likely be back in the game with full sound in no time.