Office Settings & Configuration

How to Loop Background Music in PowerPoint Slideshows

Muhammad Talha Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

Configure audio playback settings to ensure background music plays continuously across all slides and repeats smoothly when the presentation restarts.

How to Loop Background Music When a PowerPoint Slideshow Restarts

Product: PowerPoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating a self-running or kiosk presentation where the slideshow and its background audio need to loop continuously without manual intervention.
Observed behavior: The user needs to set the audio to start automatically, persist through slide transitions, hide the audio icon, and loop indefinitely until the slideshow is manually stopped.

Before you start

Ensure you have inserted your audio file on the very first slide of your presentation and that the file format (such as MP3 or WAV) is fully supported by your software.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the 'Play in Background' Quick Setting

This is the fastest method, as it automatically applies all necessary audio settings (automatic start, cross-slide playback, loop, and hide icon) in a single click.

Select the Audio Object

Navigate to the first slide of your presentation and click on the inserted audio speaker icon to reveal the audio tools.

Open the Playback Tab

On the ribbon at the top of the window, click on the 'Playback' tab located under 'Audio Tools'.

Apply Background Playback

In the Audio Styles group, click the 'Play in Background' button. This will automatically check 'Play Across Slides', 'Loop until Stopped', and 'Hide During Show'.

Use the 'Play in Background' Quick Setting

Continuous Slideshow Loop: To ensure the presentation itself loops along with the music, go to the 'Slide Show' tab, click 'Set Up Slide Show', and check the 'Loop continuously until Esc' box.

Solution 2

Manually Configure Audio Playback Settings

Use this method if you need granular control over exactly which audio settings are applied during your slideshow.

Seamless Audio in WPS Presentation

Easily Loop Presentation Audio with WPS Office

WPS Presentation provides intuitive, easy-to-use audio tools that let you seamlessly loop background music across all your slides. Fully compatible with Microsoft PowerPoint formats, it allows you to create engaging, multimedia-rich slideshows effortlessly and for free.

1. Insert Audio: Open your presentation in WPS Office, go to the 'Insert' tab, and select 'Audio' to add a track to your first slide.
2. Access Audio Tools: Click the inserted audio icon to automatically open the 'Audio Tools' tab on the ribbon.
3. Set Up Background Music: Simply check the 'Play Across Slides' and 'Loop until Stopped' boxes. You can also select 'Hide During Show' for a cleaner presentation experience.

Fully compatible with Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt, .pptx) filesOne-click background music configuration for continuous loopingLightweight, fast-loading software with a familiar interfaceCompletely free to use for daily presentation tasks

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my background music stop when I move to the second slide?

By default, audio is set to play only on the slide it was inserted into. To keep the music playing, you must select the audio icon, go to the Playback tab, and check the 'Play Across Slides' option.

How do I hide the speaker icon during my presentation?

Select your audio icon on the slide, navigate to the Playback tab, and check the 'Hide During Show' box. The icon will remain visible while you are editing but will completely disappear when you enter Slideshow mode.

Can I prevent a gap in audio when the music track restarts?

A slight gap often occurs depending on how the audio file was originally edited. To achieve a seamless loop, use audio editing software to trim any silent portions from the beginning and end of your track before inserting it into your presentation.

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