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Fix Microsoft Sway Audio Files Missing or Inaccessible
Question details
Users are experiencing an issue where audio files previously added to Microsoft Sway presentations can no longer be played, accessed, or found.
- Product
- Microsoft Sway
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to play or access audio files within an existing Sway presentation.
- Observed behavior
- Audio files are missing or completely inaccessible, preventing media playback during the presentation.
Ensure you have the original audio or video files saved locally or hosted on a reliable third-party platform (like SoundCloud or YouTube) so you can generate a new embed code.
Use Embed Codes for Audio and Video Files
Since Microsoft Sway discontinued direct audio and video uploads, the recommended method is to host your media externally and embed it into your Sway presentation.
As of June 10, 2024, Microsoft Sway no longer supports direct uploads for audio and video files. Any media uploaded directly prior to this date may become inaccessible or fail to play.
To resolve this issue and restore media functionality to your presentations, you must host your content on an external platform and use an iframe embed code to insert the media into your Sway.
Upload your audio or video file to a supported external hosting service, such as SoundCloud, SharePoint, OneDrive, or YouTube.
Navigate to the sharing options on your hosting platform and generate the embed code (iframe). Copy this code to your clipboard.
Open your Microsoft Sway presentation and click the '+' icon to add a new card. Select the 'Media' tab and click on 'Embed'.
Paste your copied embed code into the Sway Embed Card. Play the presentation to verify that the audio is now accessible.
Create Stunning Presentations Offline and Online with WPS Office
If Microsoft Sway's online-only limitations and changing media policies are disrupting your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. WPS Presentation offers robust multimedia integration without unexpected feature deprecations, allowing you to embed files directly from your local drive.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website to download and install the free suite.
- 2. Create a Presentation: Open WPS Presentation to start a new slideshow or import an existing PowerPoint file.
- 3. Insert Local Audio: Navigate to the 'Insert' tab on the ribbon, click 'Audio', and select a file directly from your computer to embed it securely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Microsoft Sway stop supporting audio uploads?
Microsoft updated Sway's features on June 10, 2024, removing direct audio and video uploads to streamline the service and optimize storage. They now require users to embed media via third-party URLs.
Can I recover my previously uploaded audio files in Sway?
If the files are inaccessible within the presentation, check if they were originally saved in your OneDrive, SharePoint, or local storage. Sway itself may no longer host the direct playback for those older uploads.
What platforms can I use to host audio for Sway?
You can use reliable media hosting platforms like SoundCloud, Spotify, OneDrive, SharePoint, or YouTube (for videos), as long as the platform provides a valid iframe embed code for sharing.
How do I know if my embed code is supported by Sway?
Sway supports standard iframe embed codes from most major platforms. Simply paste the generated code into a Sway Embed Card; if a functional media preview appears, the code is supported.
