How To Fix YouTube Audio Renderer Error Issue Quick and Easy Fix

YouTube is currently the most popular video streaming platform in the world today. A lot of people access this site as it contains various content ranging from entertainment to tutorials. Accessing the site from a computer is quite easy as you only have to use your browser to do it. Sometimes though there are issues that can occur when trying to access YouTube. In this latest installment of our troubleshooting series we will tackle the YouTube audio rendered error issue.

How To Fix YouTube Audio Renderer Error Issue

Before performing the recommended troubleshooting steps for this particular problem I suggest that you try restarting your computer first. This will refresh the operating system as well as remove corrupt temporary data and is quite effective in fixing most software related issues.

When trying to playback a YouTube video you might encounter the error message “Audio renderer error. Please restart your computer.” There are several factors that can cause this problem ranging from a glitch in the audio driver to a bug in the software update. Listed below are the recommended troubleshooting steps that you need to perform for this issue.

Run the audio troubleshooter

windows 10 has a useful tool that fixes most of the common audio problems. You should try using this tool first as it is quite effective in detecting and fixing audio problems.

  • Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box.
  • Type “ms-settings:troubleshoot” and press Enter.
  • Inside the Troubleshoot tab, scroll down to Get up and running and click on Playing Audio
  • Click on Run the troubleshooter to open the utility.
  • Wait until the initial investigation phase is complete.
  • Select the device with which you’re encountering the “Audio renderer error. Please restart your computer.” error and hit Next.
  • Wait until the utility analyses your Audio device for problems. If an issue is found, you will be recommended a repair strategy. Follow the on-screen prompts (click ‘Yes, Apply fix’ or ‘Yes, Open *menu’) and follow through with the recommendations.
  • Restart your computer.

Check if the YouTube audio renderer error issue still occurs.

Unplug then plug your headphones

Another way to fix this problem is to unplug then plug back your headphones. This can fix the problem if it is caused by a glitch in the operating system that is preventing it from automatically detecting that the headphones are attached to the audio jack or USB port.

Disable then re-enable the audio drivers

There are instances when a glitch in the audio drivers of your computer can cause this problem. To check if this is the culprit, you will have to disable these drivers then re-enable them again.

  • Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. 
  • Type “devmgmt.msc” and press Enter to open up  Device Manager.
  • Inside Device Manager, expand the Sound, video and game controllers menu.
  • Disable every audio adapter in there by right-clicking and choosing Disable device.
  • Once all audio adapters under Sound, video and game controllers have been disabled, wait a couple of seconds before re-enabling them by right-clicking and choosing Enable Device.

Check if the YouTube audio renderer error issue still occurs.

Uninstall the audio driver

If the audio driver of your computer is corrupted then it’s likely  that this problem will occur. To fix this you will need to uninstall the audio driver then install a fresh version.

  • Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Then, type “devmgmt.msc” and press Enter to open Device Manager.
  • Expand the Sound,  video and game controllers drop-down menu and double-click on your audio adapter.
  • Inside the properties of your audio adapter, go to the Driver tab and click on Uninstall Device.
  • Restart your computer.
  • Windows will automatically reinstall the latest available version of your Audio adapter.

Check if the YouTube audio renderer error issue still occurs.

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