How To Fix ‘Audio Renderer Error’ Please Restart Your Computer

Have you been facing the error Audio Renderer Error – Please Restart Your Computer recently? Then do not worry because you are not the only one. Several Windows users have reported facing this error while trying to watch a YouTube video.

It is not restricted to any particular versions of Windows. It also does not matter where you are watching or which browser you are using. It has been reported to occur while using Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Edge, Chrome, and others.

Audio Renderer Error - Please Restart Your Computer

The issue is said to be frequently occurring, which prevents the users from watching any YouTube video peacefully. It is also said to occur while one is listening to iTunes or any other built-in audio player.

Navigating the realm of computer audio can sometimes seem complicated. One term that frequently comes up, especially when troubleshooting, is the “audio renderer”.

In this article, we’ll delve deep into what an audio renderer is, how to rectify common associated errors, and the steps to keep your audio driver up-to-date.

What is an Audio Renderer?

An audio renderer is a component, often a software module or sometimes a hardware device, responsible for processing and managing audio data. It takes decoded audio data and ensures its proper playback through your computer’s speakers or headphones.

Simply put, the audio renderer ensures you hear sounds when you play a video or use an application with audio elements.

What is Causing the Audio Renderer Error ‘Please Restart Your Computer’ Error on YouTube?

We have done our fair share of research on this topic through various user reports and expert guides. We have compiled all the information we gathered together and have concluded with a list of reasons which can be the probable reason for causing this error.

The list is as follows –

  • Audio driver glitch – Several users and their problems have suggested that there can be a recurring bug in the motherboard of the computer, which can be causing this error to be displayed. Many have even found a solution to this problem. Some of them include restarting the computer, unplugging and replugging the headphones, temporarily disabling the audio driver, and such forth.
  • A conflict between the Windows Sound Driver and ASIO driver – This has also been verified as a major source of this error message. However, this only happens to those users who use both the Windows Sound driver and the ASIO driver in their device and that too on different sound frequency. This can be easily solved by synchronizing both the Windows sound Driver and ASIO driver.
  • Bugged BIOS version – Please note that this applies to only Dell computer users. The ‘Audio Renderer Error ‘Please Restart Your Computer’ error can be caused by a flawed software update. However, Dell has gotten rid of the bug, and it can be easily resolved by simply updating the BIOS. It’s very simple and has been discussed below.

The above-mentioned reasons can be the cause behind the error displayed in your device. Still, you do not have to worry anymore because we are here today, and we are dedicating the article to methods of solving this problem.

You simply have to follow the instructions, and one of the methods is going to hit the bull’s eye for sure. So without much further ado, let’s get right into it.

Some Methods to fix Audio Renderer Error

Method 1: Unplug/Plug Headphones

There is nothing much to explain about this one. It is as simple as it sounds. It is so simple that it sounds silly to a point, but trust us, several users have reported their error to be solved by this method.

Just unplug your headphones and then replug them, and that just might solve your problem. This works with both jack headphones and USB. If you are browsing through YouTube wearing a headphone and encountering this error, you simply need to do as mentioned. In case you are not using a headphone, then it’s a different issue.

Please note that this is a temporary fix. You need to solve the problem from the root level otherwise, this error can happen again, and then this trick might or might not work. To solve the issue from the very core, you need to read on and find a permanent solution to this problem.

Method 2: Restarting Your Computer

Yes, this method works. It is a very simple method, but it is clearly suggested in the error message itself that you need to restart the computer to solve this issue. So try restarting your computer and then check if the issue is solved or not.

The only problem with this method is that this too is a temporary solution. It has been reported that within a few seconds, the error once again appears. Therefore if you want a more permanent solution to this problem, then read the next method.

If you are satisfied with a temporary fix, then this will work fine for you, but we do suggest that you get rid of this error once and for all because restarting your device again and again does not seem like a very good idea.

Method 3: Running the Audio Troubleshooter

By running your built-in audio troubleshooter, you can also get rid of this error. The built-in audio troubleshooter has a list of strategies that can help with audio problems. We all know what troubleshooting is.

If the problem is a common one and recognized by Microsoft, then you will definitely find the solution there. To run it, you have to follow the following steps-

  • Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
  • Once it opens, you need to type in ‘ms-settings:troubleshoot’ and then press enter. This will open the troubleshooting dialog box.
  • Scroll down to Get up and running under the troubleshooting tab and then select Playing Audio. Then select Run the Troubleshooter.
  • Wait for a few minutes for the process to complete and then choose the device where you are facing the ‘Audio Renderer Error: Please Restart Your Computer’ error and then click on next.
  • Next, your device will be analyzed for audio problems. They will find an issue (if there is any), and then they will provide solutions to that problem or problems. Follow the on-screen prompts accordingly to the steps given for the solution.
  • Restart your computer and then check if the error is resolved or not. If not, then move on to the next method.

Method 4: Disabling and Re-enabling the Audio Driver

It is possible that the error in consideration can be solved quite simply without restarting your computer or going through the troubleshooting tab. You can easily disable all the audio adapters on your computer and then re-enable them after a few minutes.

This has been reported and confirmed to solve the error in the case of some users. If your error has not been solved yet and you want to try this method, then follow the following steps-

  • Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
  • When it opens, type in ‘devmgmt.msc’ and press enter. This will open the device manager.
  • Please navigate to the Sound, video, and game controller menu and expand it. Then disabled all the audio adapters on your device by right-clicking on them and selecting the Disable option.
  • Wait a couple of minutes before enabling all the audio adapters on your device. This can be done in the same way as right-clicking and choosing the Enable option.
  • Check if the error has been resolved or not.

If the issue is solved, then well and good, but if not, then no need to worry because there are still a lot of solutions left. Read on to the next method.

Method 5: Rolling Back/Uninstall the Audio Driver

If a software bug causes the error, then the best option for you is to roll back on your audio driver. Rolling back to the previous audio driver will remove any software bug. You can also easily resolve this issue by uninstalling your audio driver.

Windows will then be forced to reinstall the audio driver, and all the bugs and corrupt files will be gone too. It will solve the issue.

To roll back your audio driver then you have to follow the following steps-

  • Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
  • When it opens, type in ‘devmgmt.msc’ and press enter. This will open the device manager.
  • Please navigate to the Sound, video, and game controller menu and expand it. Click on your audio adapter. Open its properties.
  • Navigate to the Driver tab. Select Roll Back Driver. (In case this is not available or you are unable to find it then you can select to uninstall the device)
  • Restart your computer. (If you uninstalled your device, then Windows will reinstall the audio driver automatically) Check if the issue still persists.

If the problem is solved, congratulations, but if it is still there, you should remain calm and proceed to the next solution.

Method 6: Setting the same sample rate for both Windows Sound Driver and ASIO driver

If you are someone that uses both Windows Sound driver and ASIO driver, then there is a high chance that this error is caused due to the different sound format frequency of the two. This can cause the ‘Audio Renderer Error: Please Restart Your Computer’.

If you are in such a situation, then this solution is exactly made for you. There are chances that your error will be solved simply when you ensure that both Windows Sound driver and ASIO drivers are running at the same sample rate.

Here is how you can do it. Just follow the following steps:

  • Press Windows key + R to open the run dialog box.
  • Once it opens, you need to type in ‘mmsys.cpl’ to open the Sound Settings menu.
  • Navigate to the Playback tab and select the audio device that is displaying the error message. Click on the configure.
  • Once it opens, you need to navigate to the Advanced tab and then change the default format to 16 bit. (Note – you can also select according to your preference) Save your changed configuration by clicking on Apply.
  • Open the ASIO driver and navigate to the Audio tab. You need to change the sample rate. Make sure that it is the same as that you selected in the Windows sound driver; otherwise, it will be useless.
  • Restart your computer.

If you find that your error is resolved, then great otherwise, you can read on the next solution. Until now, there had been many options for you to explore, and it is highly unlikely that this error is still going to be there if you have tried and followed all the above solutions step by step.

It is highly unlikely because most of the users have reported it, but if you are very unlucky and still, the problem appears, and you can check with the Windows customer service. Our last solution method applies only to Dell computer users, and therefore if you are not a Dell Computer user.

You need to contact the windows customer service as soon as possible because only they can offer the solution to you. If In case you are a Dell computer user, then go ahead and check out the next solution.

Method 7: Update BIOS (only confirmed on Dell computers)

Dell computer users have reported that the ‘Audio Renderer Error: Please Restart Your Computer’ error has been resolved once they updated their BIOS. It can be applicable to other manufacturers too, but the confirmed result is found only in the Dell computers. We suggest that you need to give it a try.

Please note that this is not a simple process. You need to follow the instructions to the letter. If not, then something can easily go wrong. You can ask for professional help to update your BIOS, or you can do it on your own but do it at your own risk.

We recommend that if you are a novice and do not know much about such stuff, you better ask for professional help, but if you have updated your BIOS before and are a tech buff, you can go ahead and do it on your own.

How to Fix the Audio Renderer Error Without Restarting Your Computer?

The dreaded ‘audio renderer error’ can be a nuisance, especially when in the middle of important tasks. Here’s how to address it without resorting to a system restart:

  1. Disconnect and Reconnect: If using external audio devices like headphones or speakers, unplug them and plug them back in.
  2. Audio Troubleshooter:
    • Right-click the speaker icon in your taskbar.
    • Select ‘Troubleshoot sound problems’ and follow the prompts.
  3. Restart Audio Services:
    • Press Windows + R, type “services.msc”, and hit Enter.
    • Find ‘Windows Audio’ and ‘Windows Audio Endpoint Builder’. Restart both services.
  4. Change Audio Sample Rate:
    • Right-click the speaker icon > ‘Sounds’ > ‘Playback’ tab.
    • Select your default device > ‘Properties’ > ‘Advanced’ tab.
    • Switch the sample rate (for example, from 24 bit, 44100 Hz to 24 bit, 48000 Hz) and test.

Does Resetting PC Fix Audio?

Resetting or restoring a PC can fix various problems, including some audio issues. A reset essentially reverts the computer to its original state, potentially eliminating any software conflicts or corrupted files causing the audio issues.

However, it’s a drastic step. Before considering a reset, try other troubleshooting methods and ensure you back up all essential data.

How Do I Update My Audio Driver?

Keeping your audio driver updated can prevent many audio problems. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Via Windows Update:
    • Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Update & Security’.
    • Click ‘Check for updates’. Windows will automatically find and install available updates, including audio drivers.
  2. Device Manager:
    • Right-click the Start button and choose ‘Device Manager’.
    • Expand ‘Sound, video and game controllers’.
    • Right-click on your audio device and choose ‘Update driver’.
    • Follow the prompts to search for and install updates.
  3. Manufacturer’s Website:
    • Determine your sound card model or onboard audio chipset.
    • Visit the manufacturer’s official website (e.g., Realtek, NVIDIA, AMD) and search for the appropriate driver.
    • Download and install the driver following the provided instructions.

Conclusion

We hope that this article has been useful for you and that you have been able to resolve this ‘Audio Renderer Error: Please Restart Your Computer’ error with the help of the aforementioned solutions.

While audio issues can be frustrating, understanding the role of the audio renderer and knowing how to troubleshoot common problems can make the process smoother. Regularly updating drivers and being proactive in addressing errors can enhance your audio experience and ensure uninterrupted computer usage.