The Windows remote desktop connection plays sounds from the remote computer you are using to access it by default. If you have problems you can check that the correct options are configured using the Remote Desktop software, opening the advanced settings and selecting Play on this device. These same steps also work if you are connecting from a phone or desktop computer. Don't forget to check that your local computer or phone is not muted.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Use the Remote Desktop Mobile App
Step 1. Download and open the Microsoft Remote Desktop app-details application
Press "Free" to download and "Open" when it finishes downloading.
- The Android and iOS versions of the application can be purchased from their respective stores.
- Android has several third-party remote desktop control apps like RemoteToGo that work the same way. However these applications are not officially supported by the Windows remote desktop connection.
Step 2. Click on the "+" button
This button is located at the bottom of the screen and will take you to the "Add Desktop" page.
Step 3. Click on the "Advanced" option
This button is at the top of the page and will take you to a list of optional settings.
Step 4. Click on the "Sound" drop-down menu and select "Play on this device"
From this menu you can also adjust it so that the sound is played on a remote device or so that the sound is not heard.
Step 5. Click on "General"
This will take you back to the page with the login credentials.
Step 6. Enter your login credentials for the remote computer
The username can be the name of the computer you want to connect to or its IP address. The password is the login password.
- You can see the name of your computer by going to "Control Panel"> "All Control Panel Items"> "System" on the computer you want to connect to if you don't know them.
- You can find the IP address of your computer by typing "ipconfig" on the command line on your computer.
- Click on the disk icon to save the remote profile for the future.
Step 7. Click on "Connect"
This button is located at the bottom of the screen and this will start the remote connection to the desktop.
Step 8. Test the audio from the remote computer
When the remote desktop appears on your local screen, tap on the speaker icon at the bottom right of the taskbar to open the sound controls. Adjust the volume and you will hear a bell confirming the change.
Method 2 of 2: Use the remote desktop connection
Step 1. Open the remote desktop client
Press the ⊞ Win key and type "Remote Desktop Connection" in the search bar. Click the option that appears in the list of results to open the program.
Microsoft also supports a client for Mac which works the same way
Step 2. Click the "Options" button
This button is located at the bottom of the window and will open a window to display a number of tabs.
Step 3. Click on "Local Sources"
This tab is located to the right of the "General" tab.
Step 4. Click "Settings" under the heading of "Remote Audio"
A pop-up window will appear with the audio options.
Step 5. Click "Play on this computer."
From this menu you can also choose to play the audio from a remote computer or not to play the audio.
Step 6. Click "OK" to save your settings
The pop-up window will close.
Step 7. Enter your login details for the remote computer
The username is the name of the computer you want to connect to or its IP address. The password is the login password.
- If you don't know, you can see the name of your computer by going to "Control Panel"> "All Control Panel items"> "System" on the computer you want to access.
- You can find the IP address of the computer by typing "ipconfig" at the command line on the computer you want to access.
- You can click "Save" on the left button to save your login information for future use.
Step 8. Click "Connect"
This button is located in the lower right part of the window and will start the remote connection to the desktop.
Step 9. Test remote audio from the computer
When the remote desktop appears on your local screen, click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of the taskbar to open the sound controls. Adjust the volume and you will hear a bell confirming the change.
Advice
- Don't forget to check that the sound is not muted on the device you use (by clicking on the speaker icon in the lower right corner of your taskbar or using the volume buttons if you are using a phone). Now check the remote sound of the computer from the remote desktop program in the same way. If the sound is muted, you won't be able to hear anything!
- If the host or remote device uses a dedicated sound card (or an external sound device) it will likely use other volume controls. Check the "Sound Driver" section in your device manager to see what sound devices it can use.