Intermittent playback issue with Roon on Windows after updates (ref#XRAEY2)

[veselisr]

What best describes your playback issue?

· The queue is skipping tracks

What type of Zone is affected by this problem?

· *All of my Zones* are affected.

Does the issue affect all file formats?

· The issue affects *multiple/all* file formats.

Does the issue happen with local library music, streaming service music, or both?

· *Both streaming and local* *library* music are affected.

Do you encounter any playback errors with the "System Output" Zone?

· The System Output has the same problem as my other Zone.

Do you have a complex network setup?

· Both the device and RoonServer are connecting to a *single router*

Please try rebooting your router.

· No, I'm still having trouble

Do you have an approximate timestamp of when the issue last occurred?

· time was 5:17 PM DST eastern all tracks

What are the make and model of the affected audio device(s) and the connection type?

· klipsh speakers to analog stero system, direct USB to analog cable connects

Describe the issue

recently after windows upgrades roon will not play, it just keeps skipping the the next tracks ad infinitum and then error message "too many failures". It is an intermittent problem, but with increasing frequency, now pretty well all the time

Describe your network setup

ethernet cable connection to router Linksys DELL workstation PC latest version Windows

[connor]

Hi @veselisr,

Thank you for your post.

Do you have Exclusive mode enabled? Logs show another software program competing with Roon for control of this device mid-stream. Windows reports that the default WASAPI device has changed.

Can you please share a screenshot of your Settings → Audio page? Please also share a screenshot of your Signal Path in Roon.

Also, please verify that Windows hasn’t defaulted to surround and disable spatial sound in Sounds → Playback tab → System Output → Properties → Spatial sound.

We’ll watch for your response. Thank you!

[veselisr]

Continuing the discussion from Intermittent playback issue with Roon on Windows after updates (ref#XRAEY2):

Connor:

Thanks for the quick response, I have hope that there might actually be a solution!

Firstly, have no idea what exclusive mode is, should I have it enabled?

Here is the Audio Page; (border patrol is the DAC)

Here is Windows audio:

Windows keeps changing the audio on it’s own (for instance auto muting), normally I use Speakers output, but now using Dragon Fly that Roon channel isn’t working..

Couldn’t find spatial sound… (only setting seems to be stereo, which is on)..

Any help greatly appreciated!

Thanks, Bob

[benjamin]

Hey @veselisr,

Thanks for the follow-up!

To answer your first question: Yes, you generally want Exclusive Mode enabled.

Normally, Windows acts as a “mixer.” It takes audio from Roon, YouTube, system dings, and notifications, mashes them together, and sends them to your speakers. Exclusive Mode allows Roon to bypass that mixer and talk directly to your DAC (the BorderPatrol or DragonFly).

Why it matters for your issue: If another app (like Chrome or a system sound) has “captured” the DAC, and Roon isn’t in Exclusive Mode, they might fight over it. Or, if Windows changed how it handles audio after the update, Roon might be failing to “handshake” with the device.

Since you are using WASAPI for your BorderPatrol, check this first:

1. In Roon, go to Settings > Audio.
2. Click the Gear icon next to the BorderPatrol (or whichever device you are using).
3. Select Device Setup.
4. Ensure Exclusive Mode is toggled ON.
5. While you're there: Try setting the Max Sample Rate to something lower (like 48kHz or 96kHz) just to see if it stabilizes. If it stops skipping, we know it's a bandwidth/driver issue.

Windows itself has a "Master Switch" for this that updates sometimes flip:

1. Right-click the Speaker icon in your Windows taskbar and select Sound settings.
2. Scroll down to More sound settings (the old-school Control Panel view).
3. Under the Playback tab, right-click your DAC (BorderPatrol or DragonFly) and hit Properties.
4. Go to the Advanced tab.
5. Ensure "Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device" is checked. If it was already checked, uncheck it, hit apply, then re-check it and hit apply again to "reset" the permission.

Looking at your Roon screenshot, the AudioQuest DragonFly Red is disabled.

• If that is the device you are currently trying to listen to (it's selected in your Windows output), Roon won't play to it until you click that purple Enable button in the Roon Audio settings.
• Pro Tip: It is generally best to have your Windows Output (the 2nd image) set to "System Speakers" and let Roon manage the DACs separately. If Windows and Roon are both trying to "own" the DragonFly simultaneously, you'll get that skipping error.

Let us know if any of the above help, thank you @veselisr!

[veselisr]

Hi Benjamin:

So I did all the steps, without success, however I see no option for Exclusive Mode in Roon System Output (I’m using roon on Windows PC with USB output to DAC), so I’m not able to use Exclusive Mode on this. When I use Border Patrol as output, playback is grayed out (and I’ve used system output for years without an issue until now…)

[alex_h (Alex)]

@veselisr,

Thank you for the update.

Could you please share a few screenshots showing what happens with the BorderPatrol output in Roon? In particular, it would be helpful to see:

• Settings → Audio
• the Device Setup screen for BorderPatrol, if it opens
• what you see when playback is grayed out or fails

Based on the diagnostics, the best path forward here is to use the specific audio device endpoint directly rather than System Output, since System Output appears to be unstable on this machine.

Thank you.

[veselisr]

here goes…

… switching to Border Patrol output seems to have worked… the ‘grayed’ out was that it’s a different shade play button than with system output… but seems to work….

Bob

[benjamin]

Hi @veselisr,

Thanks for the update, we’re glad to hear you’ve got things back up and running properly.

Happy listening!