WP Sauce

How to Fix Balatro Audio Not Working

David Turner

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:

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:

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:

  1. Right-click the sound icon in the system tray and select ‘Sounds’
  2. Navigate to the ‘Playback’ tab
  3. Ensure the correct playback device is set to default (e.g., headphones or speakers in use)
  4. Right-click the device and click ‘Test’ to verify it’s working
  5. Try switching the default device, then switching back

Also, ensure that Balatro isn’t muted individually in the system Volume Mixer:

  1. Right-click the sound icon again and choose ‘Open Volume Mixer’
  2. 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:

  1. Right-click on the Balatro shortcut or exe file
  2. Select ‘Run as administrator’

If this solves the issue, you can make this setting permanent:

  1. Right-click the exe and select ‘Properties’
  2. Go to the ‘Compatibility’ tab
  3. Check ‘Run this program as an administrator’
  4. 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:

  1. Open Device Manager (search it from the Start menu)
  2. Expand ‘Sound, video and game controllers’
  3. Right-click your active audio device and select ‘Update driver’
  4. Choose ‘Search automatically for updated driver software’

If updating doesn’t help, try uninstalling and reinstalling the 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:

  1. Open Steam
  2. Navigate to your Library and right-click Balatro
  3. Select ‘Properties’
  4. Go to the ‘Installed Files’ tab
  5. 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:

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:

  1. Uninstall Balatro via Steam or Control Panel
  2. Navigate to the installation directory and remove any leftover files
  3. Restart your PC
  4. 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:

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:

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.

Exit mobile version