How to Fix Stalker 2 Audio Not Working or Sound Delay

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, the highly anticipated next-gen survival game by GSC Game World, delivers an immersive experience in the post-apocalyptic Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. Available on PC and Xbox Series X/S, the game has received acclaim for its visuals and gameplay. However, some players have reported issues with the game’s audio not working. If you’re facing this problem, follow the troubleshooting steps below to fix the audio issues and enjoy the immersive soundscape of Stalker 2. Let’s get started.

If you’re one of the affected players, don’t worry. This guide provides a detailed list of solutions to fix S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 audio issues, whether you’re dealing with muffled sounds, missing effects, or complete audio loss. Try these troubleshooting methods step-by-step to restore your game audio and fully enjoy the intense atmosphere of the Zone.

Steps to Fix Stalker 2 Audio Not Working or Cutting Out

Affected players reported on Reddit that while playing on the console, the headset turned on, but they barely heard anything else. It seems like everything gets muffled and mixed with lower volume. It ruins the gameplay experience and nothing else. At the same time, some players have also mentioned that there is no issue with the headphones except for the speakers.

1. Repair Game Files

Corrupted or missing game files can cause audio issues. Repairing the game files ensures all necessary components are intact.

For Steam:

1. Open Steam and navigate to the Library.
2. Right-click on S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 and select Properties.
3. Go to the Local Files tab.
4. Click Verify Integrity of Game Files.
5. Wait for the process to complete and restart your PC.

For Epic Games Launcher:

1. Launch the Epic Games Launcher and go to the Library.
2. Click on the three dots (…) next to S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2.
3. Select Manage > Verify.
4. Let the verification complete, and restart your computer.

2. Disable the Nahimic Audio Driver

Nahimic is an Audio Driver your PC manufacturer selected to give you an optimized audio experience on laptops, motherboards, and more. It is a trusted driver designed to optimize and tune the audio performance on your computer.

• You must go to Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and head to Startup.
• Now, disable the Nahimic audio driver from the list.
• Finally, restart the computer to check whether the problem has been fixed.

3. Update Audio Drivers

Outdated audio drivers are a common cause of sound issues. Update them to the latest version.

1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Sound, Video, and Game Controllers.
3. Right-click on your audio device and select Update Driver.
4. Choose Search automatically for drivers.
5. If updates are found, install them and reboot your PC.

If automatic updates don’t work, visit your motherboard or laptop manufacturer’s website to download and install the latest audio driver manually.

4. Reinstall Audio Drivers

Possibly, the audio driver on your computer has been corrupted or missing for some unexpected reason. Now, if you’re also feeling the same, make sure to reinstall audio drivers on the PC by following the steps below:

• Press the Windows + X keys to open the Quick Link Menu.
• Now, click on Device Manager to open it > Double-click on Sound, video, and Game controllers.
• Right-click on the active or problematic audio device > Select Uninstall device.
• Click on Uninstall again to confirm the task > Wait for the process to be completed.
• Once done, make sure to restart your computer to apply changes.
• After the reboot, the Windows system will automatically reinstall the missing audio driver or audio device (if connected).

However, if the system doesn’t automatically install it, note down the computer or motherboard model number and directly visit the official manufacturer’s website to download and install the latest audio driver.

5. Remove Stalker 2 Config

It would be best if you tried removing the Stalker 2 Config file on your PC to check for the issue and whether it has been fixed. To do so:

• Head over to File Explorer (This PC) > Go to the C: drive (where you’ve installed the game).
• Now, go to the specific directory – username\documents\Stalker 2\settings and delete the Stalker 2 config file.
• Once done, reboot your PC to apply changes.

6. Check Wires of the Audio Output

Ensure that your audio output device is correctly connected:

1. Verify that the cables are securely plugged into the correct ports.
2. For wireless devices, check the Bluetooth connection or dongle.
3. Test different ports to rule out hardware-related issues.

7. Disconnect Other Peripherals

Sometimes, other connected peripherals can conflict with your audio setup. Disconnect any non-essential devices such as additional USB hubs, controllers, or headphones, and test the audio again.

8. Test Out Other Speakers or Headsets

Make sure to test out other speakers or headsets with your computer while playing the Stalker 2 game to check for an issue with your existing speaker or headset.

9. Power Cycle your PC

Sometimes, when performing a power cycle, your PC can fix multiple issues with the game. To do so:

• Make sure to power off the PC and unplug the power cable.
• Wait for around a minute and then power on the computer to check for the issue.

10. Turn Off Windows Sonic or Spatial Sound

If your desktop or laptop has the Windows Sonic or Spatial Sound feature, then make sure to disable it by following the steps below:

• Click on the Start menu > Go to Settings > Click on System.
• Now, click on Sound > Select Related settings.
• Go to Sound Control Panel and select a playback device.
• Next, select Properties > Select Spatial sound.
• In the Spatial Sound format, select Windows Sonic for Headphones.
• Finally, select Apply and reboot the PC to change effects.

11. Reset BIOS

If resetting the overclock feature doesn’t work, try resetting the BIOS/UEFI menu as well. Using the same process, boot into the BIOS/UEFI menu. Then, find the BIOS Settings Reset or Default BIOS Setup and select it to confirm. Once done, restart your PC.

12. Update BIOS

Plenty of shortcuts and in-depth tutorials are available online to safely update your Windows system BIOS/UEFI according to your motherboard brand without any issue. Like the Windows update, the BIOS update is also useful and necessary to fix many crashes or errors.

Conclusion

Audio issues in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 can significantly detract from its immersive experience, but the steps above should help you troubleshoot and resolve the problem. Whether it’s verifying game files, updating drivers, or tweaking audio settings, each solution is designed to address specific causes of audio issues. If the problem persists, consider reaching out to S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 support for further assistance. Let us know in the comments if these steps worked for you or if you have other tips to share!