Thread: Error message when you try to play a video file that contains audio in Windows Media

Cannot play back the audio stream: no audio hardware is available

When you attempt to play the video file, which control audio in Windows Media Player, you may receive the following error message:

• Not able to play audio stream: no audio hardware is accessible (Error = 40258)

• Not able to play audio stream: no audio hardware accessible or the hardware is not taking action (Error = 80040256)

This issue may occur if some one of the following set up:

• Your PC does not have sound card, or your sound card is not functioning properly.

• An additional program is also using your sound card, so it can not be used for the utilize for Windows Media Player.

Note:

This cause is precise to Microsoft Windows NT or Microsoft Windows 95 PC.
• As well as the hardware acceleration is set to too high.

Use one more program dissimilar from Windows Media Player to observe whether the sound card is functioning properly. For instance, you have to click on the Start button which is situated on the left pane of the taskbar, and select the All Programs and click on it, and after that click on the Accessories, and after that click on the Entertainment, and again click on the Sound Recorder.