How to enable audio over RDP on the Windows Server?

Learn how to enable audio over RDP on Windows Server with our easy-to-follow guide. Stream audio seamlessly during remote sessions.

Updated: 27 Jun, 24 by Antoniy Yushkevych 4 Min

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The virtual nature of the Windows server does not allow you to play any audio by default. If you are thinking of connecting additional speakers to fulfill your purpose, then we are sorry to disappoint, but that won’t be helpful. To accomplish this task, proceed further to the article to enable audio over RDP on the Windows Server.

You can redirect your VPS audio to your local computer system with the help of Remote Desktop Protocol. Now, let us move towards understanding the process of how to enable audio on Windows VPS Server.

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Let us dive into implementing them on Windows Server 2016. To redirect your VPS audio to your local system, having a running Windows Audio Service is mandatory. The Desktop Experience feature imbibes Windows Audio service. 

Now, there is no pre-installed Desktop Experience in the Windows servers. Therefore, to avail the benefit of audio service, install the Desktop Experience feature in your system. Take a look at the following steps to achieve your desired goal:

Step 1: Go to your Server Manager.

Step 2: On the left side, hit Features. Then click on Add Features.

Step 3: A Select Features window pops up, click on Feature Summary and then Add Features.

Step 4: In the Features list, you will see the option, Desktop Experience, select install.

Check out the snapshot for some visual aids.

Now that your system is endowed with the Desktop Experience feature, let us configure the audio in the Windows server.

Step 5: After logging into the remote machine through your Remote Desktop, hit the Windows key + R to initialize the Run menu.

Step 6: Type services.msc in the text box and press enter as shown below.

Step 7: You will see the Service window on your screen, here you have to search for Windows Audio. 

Step 8: Now, click right on it and then select Properties. The Windows Audio Properties page appears in front of you. Select Automatic in front of the Startup type text box. Then hit start and then subsequently press apply. 

 

Now, you have successfully enabled the audio service. After that, just follow these next steps to redirect sounds in the Group policy.

Step 9: After you have configured the Windows Audio service, allow sound and audio redirection in the group policy. Simply write group policy in the search bar as shown below. Once you finish typing, tap on the Edit group policy option.

Step 10: Next window, Local Group Policy Editor pops up. 

Step 11: Now, click on Configuration, then Administrative Templates, and finally Windows Components. Take a look.

Step 12: Next, you have to tap on Remote Desktop Services. After that, click on Remote Desktop Session Host and lastly on Device and Resource Redirection. Tap on the first option stating, Allow audio and video playback redirection.

Step 13: The Allow audio and video playback redirection wizard box appears, click on Enabled, as shown below.

Step 14: Click on OK and then Apply.

Step 15: Now, simply reboot your server and when you come back, check your notification bar. You will see the sound option. You have completed the server settings. The last step is to check if the RDP client allows the sound playback option or not. 

Step 16: For that, open your Remote desktop client. Tap on Local resources. After that, under the apply Windows key combination, do not forget to select the option stating, Only when using the full screen. Now, tap on Settings.

Step 17: Now, simply click on the option, Play on this computer.

That’s it! Congratulations, your work is done here. The Windows server sounds will play on your local computer through the established RDP connection now.

We hope that this step-by-step guide will help you to enable audio on your Windows server via a remote desktop connection. Also if do you think you need a Remote Desktop Server then you buy RDP with us with a cool discount offer.

Further, you can also suggest to us via the listed comment section if there is any other setup and configuration that we missed during the article.

In the Remote Desktop client, click on "Show Options" before connecting. Navigate to the "Local Resources" tab, and under "Remote audio," click "Settings." Ensure that "Play on this computer" is selected and confirm your settings.

Check if audio settings are properly configured in the Remote Desktop client. Make sure the remote computer’s audio is not muted or disabled. Additionally, verify that the correct audio driver is installed and working on the host machine.

In the Remote Desktop client settings, go to "Local Resources," click on "Settings" under "Remote audio," and select "Play on this computer." Connect to the remote session, and you should now hear the audio.

In the Remote Desktop client, go to "Local Resources," click "Settings" under "Remote audio," and select "Record from this computer." This option will allow the microphone on your device to work in the remote session.

Antoniy Yushkevych

Antoniy Yushkevych

Master of word when it comes to technology, internet and privacy. I'm also your usual guy that always aims for the best result and takes a skateboard to work. If you need me, you will find me at the office's Counter-Strike championships on Fridays or at a.yushkevych@monovm.com