[WorksForMe] No audio - Mac Host, Windows guest

[foo_]

VB ver: Version 5.2.12
Host: Mac OS High Sierra 10.13.4 16GB
Guest: Windows 10 64 bit 2.5GB

I have an issue where I can't get audio to work on any of my Windows guests, in that I cannot hear audio playing on the guest on the host machine. I setup the RDP server for the VM and connected my Mac OS RDP client and audio plays when I do that (however it's stuttery). Strangely, audio from the host to the guest works, that is the guest can hear my Mac's microphone and I can record audio on the guest that way. I have the latest version of guest additions installed.

Any ideas?

[socratis]

So, with an RDP client it plays, while if you're sitting straight at your host it doesn't? Am I reading this right? Your logs don't indicate any audio setup issues...

[foo_]

So, with an RDP client it plays, while if you're sitting straight at your host it doesn't? Am I reading this right? Your logs don't indicate any audio setup issues...

That's correct. And just to clarify, I'm using the RDP server in VirtualBox, not in the guest Windows OS.

Maybe there's a problem with Mac OS or I don't have something set right. Audio from all other applications within Mac OS works okay. Mac OS doesn't have the same granularity of sound control like Windows. Can I somehow check VirtualBox what device the sound is being output to or some other settings I could check in Mac OS?

Or should I try uninstalling and reinstalling VirtualBox?

[socratis]

Or should I try uninstalling and reinstalling VirtualBox?

I don't think that this will change your situation, but sure, why not? I install/uninstall a variety of VirtualBox versions about 3-5 times per day, no problem.

But, you should try local, i.e. no RDP involved, because it adds another layer of complexity. Verify that at least you get the sound when accessed directly. Then start testing different RDP clients. Start checking their settings. What are you using right now?

[foo_]

I don't think that this will change your situation

You're right, it didn't.

But, you should try local, i.e. no RDP involved

Still no sound with the VirtualBox RDP server for the VM disabled.

Then start testing different RDP clients. Start checking their settings. What are you using right now?

Sound works with the Microsoft RDP client for Mac OS and using the mstsc.exe on a Windows box (real machine). Sound works whether I use the VirtualBox RDP server or RDP directly to the Windows 10 VM.

It must be something going on with Mac OS I imagine. Unfortunately I don't have a second Mac computer on hand to test on. How does the sound work from VirtualBox VMs on Mac OS? Is there something I can look for/test on Mac OS?

[socratis]

It must be something going on with Mac OS I imagine.

No. Definitely no. Something going on with your setup, maybe. But a generalized statement such as the one you made, that's an absolute, big "No".

Still no sound with the VirtualBox RDP server for the VM disabled.

So, you're launching the VM locally, sitting in front of your Mac, and you have no sound output?!?

I'd like for you to strip any additional sound sources/sinks. Bluetooth headphones, microphones, USB sound cards, HDMI connections, anything. Just the bare minimum. Then try again.

And after you've tried it with that configuration and that fails, I'll need to see your VM's recipe, the ".vbox" file. Right-click on the VM, "Show in Finder". That selected ".vbox" file? ZIP it and attach it to your response. And a new, fresh copy of the "VBox.log". ZIPPED as well of course.

Finally, any 3rd party apps that deal with audio? From Audacity to Soundflower and anything in between. And for the final touch, run the following in the Terminal and post the output:

• kextstat | grep -v com.apple

[foo_]

So, you're launching the VM locally, sitting in front of your Mac, and you have no sound output?!?

Correct. No sound coming out of my Mac host.

I'd like for you to strip any additional sound sources/sinks.

Done. Was connected to a ThunderBolt display (with audio etc). Just running the laptop (MacBook Pro) by itself now with nothing connected and still the same, no sound.

See the attachments for the requested info. Also, sound does not work from any VM regardless if it's other Windows or Linux VMs.

kextstat | grep -v com.apple
Index Refs Address            Size       Wired      Name (Version) UUID <Linked Against>
  145    0 0xffffff7f813d8000 0x4000     0x4000     com.protech.NoSleep (1.4.0) 79207772-D7BF-34EE-B7B6-6E90A96D8062 <5 4 3>
  146    0 0xffffff7f8113e000 0x62000    0x62000    com.paragon-software.kext.VDMounter (4.2) 3F301F93-CB8D-3149-8C74-D68B3D1C6D52 <25 5 4 3 1>
  147    0 0xffffff7f8112a000 0x7000     0x7000     com.kairos.driver.DuetDisplay (2) ACE0314B-69A7-3100-9155-3B4B6C96B2EC <96 5 4 3>
  148    0 0xffffff7f810f3000 0xd000     0xd000     com.displaylink.driver.DisplayLinkDriver (2.2) 4ED14B73-7D42-3938-9783-BC1AA398E194 <96 5 4 3>
  160    3 0xffffff7f85ee7000 0x64000    0x64000    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxDrv (5.2.12) 3AABEB96-18B4-378E-B3EE-A0F6EB91DDE7 <7 5 4 3 1>
  166    0 0xffffff7f85f4b000 0x8000     0x8000     org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxUSB (5.2.12) 9ABE1230-E87E-3B89-8E2A-B0B3BAA5F63D <165 160 50 7 5 4 3 1>
  167    0 0xffffff7f85f53000 0x5000     0x5000     org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetFlt (5.2.12) 3EF145FE-B581-3F71-8F0F-E04C62C5A91D <160 7 5 4 3 1>
  168    0 0xffffff7f85f58000 0x6000     0x6000     org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetAdp (5.2.12) F6F0D614-6816-3226-9263-DA96DB33D890 <160 5 4 1>

[socratis]

I removed your "kextstat.txt" attachment and replaced it with the actual text, for two reasons; 1) it's small enough to be included inline, and 2) I wanted to quote parts of it.

com.kairos.driver.DuetDisplay (2)
com.displaylink.driver.DisplayLinkDriver (2.2)

Start by removing these two, in that order. The DuetDisplay has been giving us headaches in the past, and I don't think I've seen the DisplayLinkDriver before, but it really seems like a prime candidate for causing trouble as well. If you're using a dock for your Mac, undock it.

Plus I thought I told you to disable the RDP display. You didn't...

[foo_]

Code: Select all

kextstat | grep -v com.apple
Index Refs Address            Size       Wired      Name (Version) UUID <Linked Against>
  107    1 0xffffff7f80e42000 0x45000    0x45000    com.Logitech.Control Center.HID Driver (3.9.5) no UUID <106 82 50 45 5 4 3>
  116    0 0xffffff7f80e97000 0x17000    0x17000    com.Logitech.Unifying.HID Driver (1.3.5) no UUID <107 106 50 45 5 4 3>
  164    0 0xffffff7f81336000 0x4000     0x4000     com.protech.NoSleep (1.4.0) 79207772-D7BF-34EE-B7B6-6E90A96D8062 <5 4 3>
  165    0 0xffffff7f8109c000 0x62000    0x62000    com.paragon-software.kext.VDMounter (4.2) 3F301F93-CB8D-3149-8C74-D68B3D1C6D52 <25 5 4 3 1>
  177    3 0xffffff7f838f1000 0x64000    0x64000    org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxDrv (5.2.12) 3AABEB96-18B4-378E-B3EE-A0F6EB91DDE7 <7 5 4 3 1>
  182    0 0xffffff7f83955000 0x8000     0x8000     org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxUSB (5.2.12) 9ABE1230-E87E-3B89-8E2A-B0B3BAA5F63D <181 177 50 7 5 4 3 1>
  183    0 0xffffff7f8395d000 0x5000     0x5000     org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetFlt (5.2.12) 3EF145FE-B581-3F71-8F0F-E04C62C5A91D <177 7 5 4 3 1>
  184    0 0xffffff7f83962000 0x6000     0x6000     org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetAdp (5.2.12) F6F0D614-6816-3226-9263-DA96DB33D890 <177 5 4 1>

Start by removing these two, in that order.

Still no luck.

Plus I thought I told you to disable the RDP display. You didn't...

Disabled now.

What should I try next?

[foo_]

Have also noticed audio input is now no longer working (not that I really a concern atm), but previously Windows was able to record with my MacBook microphone.

[socratis]

What should I try next?

Uninstall everything, or if that fails, re-install OSX. Some 3rd party software is interfering, I don't know which one, you're sitting in front of the computer, not me.

[foo_]

Problem solved! Just went the latter option and reinstalled Mac OS. Sound is back now. Thanks for your help. Was definitely something screwy with my Mac OS install.

[socratis]

Not one you're going to hear often, but still can always happen. Glad you got it going, even if you had to resort to such drastic measures. That's the last option available, when everything else seems to fail.

Marking as [WorksForMe].

[jamesraznor]

I have same problem !!!

When I using virtual box, audio fails with Teams calls and Zoom Calls, also I can't hear nothing from Spotify. Only after Close Virtualbox I got the sound working again. This is quite annoying.

I have to install most recent version, but the problem continues...

Im using:
VirtualBox Graphical User Interface
Version 6.1.4 r136177 (Qt5.6.3)
Copyright © 2020 Oracle Corporation and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.

I can't remember what oldest version I had, but with same problem.

My OS:
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019).

I can't find the solution... If somebody knows, plz let me know.
Thx.

[Shrads007]

I am facing the same issue. Were you able to fix it?

Thanks

I have same problem !!!

When I using virtual box, audio fails with Teams calls and Zoom Calls, also I can't hear nothing from Spotify. Only after Close Virtualbox I got the sound working again. This is quite annoying.