No audio output or peak-meter activity anywhere in Shotcut 26.6.25 on Windows 11

Bug
1

Operating system: Windows 11
Shotcut version: 26.6.25, Microsoft Store version

Problem

Shotcut has stopped producing any audio output.

The video timeline plays normally, and audio waveforms are visible, but:

  • no audio is audible;

  • the Audio Peak Meter shows no activity;

  • the problem also occurs when an MP3 is opened and played directly in the Source player;

  • the issue is therefore not limited to one timeline or project.

This previously happened temporarily and then corrected itself, but it has now returned and persists after restarting and resetting Shotcut.

Steps to reproduce

  1. Open Shotcut.

  2. Open an existing project containing working MP3 narration and music files.

  3. Press Play.

  4. Observe that the timeline moves and waveforms are present, but there is no sound and no Peak Meter activity.

  5. Open one of the same MP3 files directly in the Source player.

  6. Press Play.

  7. The file remains silent and the Peak Meter still shows no activity.

Troubleshooting already completed

I have confirmed all of the following:

  • Shotcut’s player mute is off.

  • Timeline audio tracks are not muted.

  • Player output volume is set to 0 dB.

  • Windows Volume Mixer shows Shotcut at 100%.

  • Shotcut is routed to the correct output device: Lautsprecher (Realtek(R) Audio).

  • Other Windows audio is working.

  • The affected MP3 files have visible waveforms.

  • The MP3 is silent even in Shotcut’s Source player.

  • Audio Channels was tested with both 2 (stereo) and 1 (mono).

  • All available Audio APIs were tested:

    • Waveform Audio

    • WASAPI

    • DirectSound

  • Shotcut was completely closed and reopened after API changes.

  • Windows per-app sound devices and volumes were reset.

  • Shotcut’s complete settings reset was performed using Settings → Reset.

  • Shotcut restarted after the reset.

  • The problem remained unchanged.

  • Settings → Audio/Video Device shows no recording inputs selected, which should not affect playback.

Important diagnostic detail

The Audio Peak Meter remains completely inactive during playback.

This suggests that Shotcut is not generating or passing audio internally, rather than merely sending it to the wrong Windows output device.

Expected behaviour

Audio should be audible during timeline and Source-player playback, and the Peak Meter should respond.

Actual behaviour

Playback is completely silent and the Peak Meter remains at zero.

Screenshots available

I can provide screenshots showing:

  • the playing timeline with visible audio waveforms and inactive Peak Meter;

  • Shotcut’s unmuted player control;

  • Windows Volume Mixer showing Shotcut at 100%;

  • the selected Realtek output device;

  • Audio API selections;

  • Shotcut version 26.6.25.

2

That is very weird, and I have never experienced it. I am not sure what to suggest since you tried so many things (thank you for that). Only other thing I can suggest is: start Shotcut, open a file with known audio and try to play it short while, View > Application Log, Copy and paste it in a reply here.

Did a previous version work OK just before the upgrade? You can download the portable zip of a previous version and see if it makes a difference.