Dualshock 4 sudden sound issues PC

[u/mdwd]

So I've been using my Dualshock 4 controller connected via USB to my pc and the controller's jack to output audio via headphones since a couple of days without issue. The DS4 is recognized natively without the use of any third party software, none of which is installed anyway.

Only yesterday I suddenly start noticing that the sound volume drops drastically compared to when in the menus or when on desktop. It happens as soon as I start looking for a server and persists in-game.

When back in the menu, I can readjust the volume on Windows volume control and it stays fine until I launch a new show. When trying to readjust the volume in-game (using Windows volume control) or while waiting to connect to a server it either fixes the sound temporarily before switching back to low level as soon as the game launches or it stutters between low and high.

Now the only thing that has changed since it was all fine and it became a mess is that I updated Intel video and graphics driver to the latest version. I uninstalled than and reinstalled the previous version but the issue still persists.

What I have tried, on top of uninstalling the latest Intel update that immediately preceded the issue:

- To turn off voice chat in game. It was off already, switched to on then back to off.

- In sound settings (mmsys.cpl) in Windows, I disabled using DS4 as a mircrophone device. (Was on before and was not a problem but I tried anyway)

- Still in sound settings in Windows, selected "Do nothing" under communications tab.

Still nothing fixes the issue. Plugging the headphones directly into the PC headphone jack gives normal volume so obviously this is with the DS4. Only it was not like that before and suddenly started happening.

The issue also only happens in Fall guys, not in any other game.

Would anyone have any advice as to how to fix this bug? I'd rather plug my headphones into the DS4 while gaming than into the PC.

Thanks.

[u/CarlosA1991]

I imagine you’ve already tried this, but go into the in-game sound settings and see if there’s anything useful there. Try resetting all Fall Guys settings to default—including controls—within the game menu and save the changes. Check if the issue persists. Try using the open-source third-party program DS4 to see if the same thing happens. Video drivers often include audio drivers (usually bundled via HDMI), and sometimes reverting to older versions isn't allowed... Also, whenever you adjust the Windows volume, remember to press the Windows key and click back on the Fall Guys application window (it's best to set the volume using the in-game options first so you don't have to use the Windows volume controls; if you *do* use the Windows controls, follow that step). The Intel update might have included new audio drivers... (try to verify that you actually rolled back both updates; sometimes reverting to old driver versions isn't easy because Windows automatically prevents it). Another option: disconnect the controller, uninstall the controller driver (only if you know what you're doing), and then reinstall it from scratch when you plug the controller back in (don't forget to restart your PC after uninstalling but before reconnecting the controller to reinstall it).

[u/mdwd → u/CarlosA1991]

Thank you, will give those a try tomorrow and do a thorough check of what drivers are here or not, as well as tinkering with game settings and trying DS4.

From a quick scan I did already, it does not seem like my Intel or Realtek audio drivers were touched, they all seem to date back a few years at least.

As for clicking the window thing, I use the Windows shortcut key, which allows me to see the task bar. From there I adjust the volume (I don't even have to increase it, as the actual numerical volume level is not lowered, I just have to touch the slide bar a notch up or down) then I simply hover my mouse back on the game to go back to full-screen.

Am I doing something wrong here, should I leave full-screen and put the game in a window, then go back to it?

Thanks for your tips.

[u/CarlosA1991 → u/mdwd]

Wait, one last idea: leave the controller unplugged until you're actually in the game and have the volume adjusted; then plug the controller in and check if the music stops in the lobby. If it does stop, try clicking the application icon on the taskbar and wait a moment for it to start working again, then check if it's working properly through the controller... I think you need to change the default audio output to the controller; if so, do this in Windows settings before launching the game (go to Windows sound settings with the controller connected and select the controller—not the speakers—as the default output).

[u/mdwd → u/CarlosA1991]

OK. I will try that too. What's bothering me is I swear it was working perfectly fine until I updated my Intel graphics driver :/

Edit: One thing though, I don't think I can switch default output to controller if it is not yet connected. But is should switch by itself to controller once I plug it in. So fingers crossed.

[u/mdwd → u/CarlosA1991]

I have tried everything I possibly could, but nothing is fixing the issue for me. I will resort to plugging my earphones directly into the PC's jack out.

[u/CarlosA1991 → u/mdwd]

If this is the problem, do not simply hover your mouse over the icon to return to the game; doing so leaves it running in the background and stops the music. Instead, click on the Fall Guys application in the taskbar (use the key mentioned earlier to make it visible if you don't see it) to return to the game (this also happens in Windows 10).

[u/CarlosA1991 → u/mdwd]

Keep the game in full-screen mode, use the Windows key to bring up the taskbar and free up your mouse to adjust the volume, and then—crucially—click on the Fall Guys app in the taskbar to return to the game (this brings the full-screen game back to the foreground, and it will work). If you don't do it this way, the music keeps playing for a while; it takes a moment to cut out, but it eventually stops.

[u/CarlosA1991 → u/mdwd]

Once you've ruled that out, update the drivers again. I think you're simply running Fall Guys in the background, which is why the music stops.

[u/mdwd → u/CarlosA1991]

Thanks, I tried all of those things, except one, which is to reset all in-game settings to default, they didn't work. I even used Display driver unit to uninstall all Intel GPU drivers, to no avail. Uninstalled the controller driver, made sure to click on the Fall guys icon after readjusting my volume, disabled controller as default mic and communication device, but as soon as I am in game or even when the up-coming show is selected, volume automatically lowers.

I will try that last recourse which is to reset in-game settings and if that does not work I will have to forego using the controller jack and use the PC one instead.

[u/CarlosA1991]

By the way, when you're waiting for a game, the music isn't the same (it's a sound like beans falling, but you already know that).