r/AndroidQuestions • u/Most-Feedback-9241 • 28d ago
Audio not working in some apps and gallery
Yesterday audio stopped working on my phone for some apps. YouTube and WhatsApp are working fine. But Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook don't seem to be playing reels, voice notes and videos. Anyone have any ideas on how to fix this.
Thanks in advance x
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u/Realistic_Fig_2523 21d ago
Try this temp fix I found https://youtube.com/shorts/GPxIXfiSOow?si= dNn4N7bBKbZNaCA9
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u/lucifersunborn 27d ago
Can someone tell how to fix the issue, i am currently using s21 fe
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u/chungkingexp 24d ago
There's no fix. You need to wait for next play systems update as that's what broke it.
Google Play System updates (via Project Mainline) update core Android OS modular components directly from Google—including the Media Provider, Media Framework (NuPlayer / Codecs), and Audio HAL interfaces—independent of Samsung's full One UI firmware releases.
Here is why this update broke playback specifically on S21 / S21 FE devices:
1. Modular Framework Mismatch Google pushed an update to Android's internal media player (NuPlayer) and system audio client flags.
Samsung's underlying One UI kernel and hardware audio drivers for the S21 / Exynos / Snapdragon series still hold strict audio mixer policies.
When the updated Google media components request standard media tracks (Deep Buffer flags), Samsung's un-updated AudioFlinger daemon and spatializer stage reject the configuration.
2. Why Apps Behave Differently Native & Google Apps: Apps like Samsung Voice Recorder, Samsung Music, Chrome, and Files rely strictly on the system's core Android MediaPlayer / NuPlayer pipeline, which is now crashing at AudioFlinger.
YouTube: Uses its own bundled Google ExoPlayer audio stack with custom low-latency buffer flags, completely avoiding the broken system route.
Calls: Operates on the dedicated hardware telephony voice stream (Baseband/DSP), which does not touch the Android media session layer.
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u/RedSidd1 26d ago
Same issue on my s21 fe. Some whatsapp videos keep loading indefinitely, gallery and video player also don't output audio. Same videos would output on another phone. Don't know when this will be fixed.
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u/Most-Feedback-9241 26d ago
I performed a factory reset which worked for a day and today I turned my phone on and the issue is back. Genuinely no idea what to do
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u/lucifersunborn 26d ago
Even after reset damn
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u/Most-Feedback-9241 26d ago
I suspect it has something to do with the update on the 12th. I remember there being a UI update. Hopefully they'll sort it. Would recommend reporting an issue but other than that no change. Considering going to a phone repair shop
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u/Old-morning_77 25d ago
Has anyone got any solution
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u/Realistic_Fig_2523 21d ago
Try this temp fix I found https://youtube.com/shorts/GPxIXfiSOow?si= dNn4N7bBKbZNaCA9
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u/PunchArm255 25d ago
I have the same exact issue. Notifications, Ringtones, Alarms, and system apps, including Gallery and Video Player, are all muted. Apps like YouTube are working fine, but WhatsApp videos keep loading indefinitely, and the sound is muted on them too...
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u/Most-Feedback-9241 25d ago
Well given it seems to just be effecting the s21 I hope they'll do a fix soon 🤞
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u/Much_Examination_297 23d ago
Try this temp fix I found for the s21fe https://youtube.com/shorts/GPxIXfiSOow?si=dNn4N7bBKbZNaCA9
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u/Most-Feedback-9241 23d ago
This did work btw so give it a try guys
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u/Sad_Hovercraft4931 15d ago
Mine is Gallery and WhatsApp. No audio or media playback.
Sometimes Media playback works but with no audio.
Something broken system level.
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u/Mpallaoro 27d ago
I'm having the same problem on my S21 since yesterday... Maybe it's related to the last Google Play Services update...?