File Format & Compatibility

Fix Missing Audio in PowerPoint 2007 PPSX on Office 365

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where background music plays correctly in an older PowerPoint 2007 presentation (PPSX) on the original computer, but the audio is missing when opened in modern Office 365 or PowerPoint for iOS.

Product: Microsoft PowerPoint
Device & OS: iOS, Windows
Scenario: Opening a legacy PowerPoint Show (PPSX) file with background audio on a modern device or newer version of Office.
Observed behavior: The presentation's audio plays perfectly on the old computer where it was created, but is completely missing or fails to play when the file is opened in Office 365 or PowerPoint for iOS.

Before you start

Ensure you have access to the original computer where the PowerPoint presentation was created, as you will need it to properly re-save the file and embed the original audio.

Solution 1Recommended

Re-save the Presentation as a Modern PPTX File

Convert the older PPSX file to a modern PPTX format on the original computer to force the software to repair the presentation and embed the audio correctly.

Older versions of PowerPoint sometimes struggle to package media correctly in PPSX formats. Saving it to the newer PPTX format can resolve underlying structure errors and properly embed the missing audio.

Open on Original PC

Open the original PPSX slideshow on the older computer and verify that the background audio plays correctly.

Save as PPTX

Click on 'File' in the top menu, select 'Save As', choose a new file name, and change the 'Save as type' dropdown to 'PowerPoint Presentation (*.pptx)'.

Transfer the File

Transfer this new PPTX file to your modern computer or iOS device using a USB drive or cloud storage.

Re-export to PPSX

Open the new PPTX file in Office 365 to verify the audio works, then use 'File' > 'Save As' to save it back to a 'PowerPoint Show (*.ppsx)' if you need it to open directly into presentation mode.

Audio Embedded: This conversion process typically embeds any loosely attached audio files directly into the presentation structure.

Solution 2

Embed Linked Audio Manually

If re-saving doesn't work, the audio may be linked to a local folder rather than embedded in the file. You must manually reinsert it as an embedded file.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

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Struggling with missing audio or compatibility issues in older PowerPoint files? WPS Office provides excellent format compatibility with legacy files like PPT and PPSX. Enjoy a free, lightweight suite with a familiar interface that makes handling presentations across different devices effortless.

1. Download WPS Office: Install WPS Office for free on your Windows, Mac, iOS, or Android device.
2. Open Your Presentation: Launch WPS Presentation and open your legacy PPSX or PPTX file directly.
3. Play with Audio: Click the 'Slide Show' button to start your presentation with full audio and animation support.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my PowerPoint audio play on my old computer but not on my new one?

Older versions of PowerPoint often linked audio files to a local directory rather than embedding them directly into the presentation file. When the file is moved to a new computer, the link breaks because the local audio file is missing from that device.

What is the difference between a PPSX and a PPTX file?

A PPTX file is the standard editable PowerPoint presentation format. A PPSX file is a PowerPoint Show format that opens directly into full-screen presentation mode, skipping the editing interface.

How do I ensure audio is embedded and not linked in my presentation?

When inserting audio, ensure your file is saved in the modern PPTX format, which defaults to embedding media directly into the document. If using older formats, check your advanced save settings to ensure the media is embedded rather than linked.

Document & File Issues