OneDrive File Issues

Fix OneDrive Videos Have No Audio in Windows Photos App

Elise Williams Oct 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to restore audio playback for OneDrive videos opened in the Windows Photos app.

How to Fix OneDrive Videos Having No Audio in Windows Photos App

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows 11
Scenario: Playing video files stored in OneDrive using the default Windows Photos application.
Observed behavior: Videos play with sound in web browsers and Media Player, but the audio is completely missing when played through the Windows Photos app.

Before you start

Verify that your computer's system volume is not muted and ensure your internet connection is stable if you are streaming online-only files.

Solution 1Recommended

Download the Video Locally and Unmute the Photos App

Testing a locally saved version rules out cloud streaming issues, and unmuting ensures the player's default settings aren't hiding the audio.

Often, OneDrive for Business videos or files marked as 'online-only' can face buffering or streaming restrictions. Additionally, the Windows Photos app sometimes mutes video playback by default upon opening.

Make the file available offline

Open File Explorer, navigate to your OneDrive folder, right-click the problematic video file, and select 'Always keep on this device' to download it locally.

Open with Photos app

Double-click the downloaded video to open it in the Windows Photos app.

Check the volume toggle

Locate the speaker icon at the bottom right corner of the playback window. If it has a slash through it, click the icon to unmute the audio and adjust the volume slider.

Download the Video Locally and Unmute the Photos App

Playback Check: If the audio now works, the issue was related to streaming or the app's default mute setting rather than a corrupted file.

Solution 2

Use an Alternative Media Player

If the video still lacks sound after downloading, the Photos app likely lacks the required audio codec for your specific file type.

Solution 3

Update Windows and the Photos App

Installing the latest system and app updates ensures you have the most recent bug fixes and supported codecs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my OneDrive videos play without sound in the Photos app but work perfectly in a browser?

This usually happens because the Windows Photos app lacks the specific audio codec required to decode your video's audio track, whereas web browsers and dedicated media players often have built-in support for a wider range of codecs.

How can I fix the missing audio codec issue in Windows 11?

You can sometimes download necessary codec extensions, such as the HEVC Video Extensions, directly from the Microsoft Store. Alternatively, playing the file in Windows Media Player bypasses the Photos app's limitations.

Will converting my video file fix the audio playback problem?

Yes. If you convert your video to a widely supported standard format, such as MP4 using the AAC audio codec, it will play natively with sound in the Windows Photos app without requiring additional extensions.

Does downloading the OneDrive file locally guarantee the sound will work?

Downloading the file locally fixes audio problems caused by slow streaming or buffering of online-only files. However, if the root cause is a missing codec in the Photos app, you will still need to use an alternative media player.

Document & File Issues