How to Fix SteelSeries Sonar Not Working

When I first saw the introduction of Sonar, integrated into the software SteelSeries GG on its official website, I was thrilled and couldn’t wait to download it onto my Windows computer. However, after completing the setup and hoping to experience enhanced audio, something unexpected happened that left me feeling overwhelmed. The sound kept cutting in and out, and sometimes there was no sound at all! Moreover, I couldn’t hear much of a difference. 🤔 Is this due to a misconfiguration on my system, or is the issue not on my side but caused by bugs introduced in the software? Then I embarked on a journey to rule out the potential causes. If you’re also plagued by issues like Sonar not loading or any audio issues, this troubleshooting guide may help.

If Sonar is not loading at all, run it as an admin

Some programs and apps may require administrative rights to function properly. If Sonar is not loading, try running SteelSeries GG as an administrator. To do this:

1) Right-click on the desktop shortcut, then select Properties.

2) Select the Compatibility tab, then check the box next to Run this program as an administrator. Click Apply > OK to save the changes.

Now launch the app and select Sonar from the left navigation bar. Check if the content is loading correctly.

Test on a different device

There are cases when your output device (like speaker or headphones) is malfunctioning, and thus you’ll hear no sound or encounter various audio issues such as static noise or intermittent audio. To identify whether the problem lies with the device itself, you can connect your speaker or headphones to a different computer, phone, or audio source to check if they work properly. If they do not work either, it’s likely that they are faulty and need to be repaired or replaced. However, if the device works fine on another source, the issue is likely related to the original device’s settings, drivers, or connections, which can then be further investigated.

Check the volume controls

If you hear no sound when playing games, chatting on Discord, or playing music on a streaming service, ensure that all volumes are not muted on the Sonar app:

1) Open your SteelSeries GG app. Then select Sonar.

2) Under the Mixer tab, make sure each section is not muted. Drag the volume slider upwards.

You’ll also need to check if SteelSeries Sonar is set as your default audio output:

1) From the taskbar, right-click on the volume icon, then select Sound settings.

2) Select the app you intend to play sound from and ensure SteelSeries Sonar is chosen as the output device.

Update your audio drivers

Outdated or corrupted audio drivers can often cause sound issues. By updating your audio drivers, you can resolve many sound-related issues and improve the overall performance of your audio devices. Besides, it ensures compatibility with your system and software like SteelSeries GG. Here’s how you can update your audio drivers:

Method 1 – Update drivers manually

1) Press the Windows logo key + R to open the Run box. Type devmgmt.msc and hit Enter to open the Device Manager.

2) Expand the Sound, video and game controllers section. Right-click on SteelSeries Sonar Virtual Audio Device and select Update driver.

3) Choose Search automatically for drivers and follow the on-screen instructions. If Windows finds an update, it will download and install it automatically.

While this method works, it can be time-consuming, and Windows might not always find the latest drivers.

Method 2 – Update drivers automatically with Driver Easy

For a quicker and more reliable solution, you can use Driver Easy, a user-friendly tool that simplifies the process of finding and updating drivers. Here’s how it works:

1) Download and install Driver Easy.

2) Launch Driver Easy and click the Scan Now button. The tool will scan your system and identify any outdated or missing drivers, including your audio drivers.

3) Click Activate & Update next to your driver or click Update All. To proceed, Driver Easy Pro is required. You can choose from the 7-day free trial and Pro Version, both of which come with full functionality, including one-click updates and high-speed downloads.

Update Windows

Keeping your Windows operating system up to date is essential for maintaining system stability and compatibility with software like SteelSeries GG. Outdated system files can lead to conflicts, resulting in performance issues. To troubleshoot your issues, ensure that all Windows updates are installed.

1) Press the Windows logo key to invoke the Search. Type check for updates, Then click Check for updates from the list of results.

2) Click on the Check for updates button. Windows will search for available updates and begin downloading them automatically.

3) Once the updates are downloaded, click on Install now to begin the installation process. You may need to restart your system after the updates are installed.

Run the audio troubleshooter

The Windows audio troubleshooter is a built-in tool in the Windows operating system designed to automatically diagnose and resolve common audio-related issues. If you’re experiencing issues like audio cutting out, using this tool can be a helpful step in troubleshooting.

1) On your keyboard, press the Windows logo + I keys simultaneously to open Settings.

2) From the left navigation panel, select System. Scroll down and Click Troubleshoot.

3) Click Other troubleshooters.

4) Click on the Run button next to Audio and follow the on-screen instructions to detect and solve your issues.

Update the GG app

The issues might lie with bugs introduced in the software. By default, the software will perform automatic update checks once per day, which should provide bug fixes and potentially introduce new features. If this doesn’t happen as planned, you can manually check for updates:

1) From the bottom-left corner, click Settings.

2) From the left navigation bar, scroll down and select About, then click on the Check for updates button.

Reinstall SteelSeries GG

If updating the software doesn’t help, you may need to perform a clean reinstallation:

1) On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key + R to open the Run box, then type appwiz.cpl and hit Enter.

2) Locate SteelSeries GG, right-click it and select Uninstall.

3) Go to the app’s installation folder (usually located in C:\Program Files\SteelSeries\GG) and delete the folder.

4) Visit the official website to download and install the latest version of SteelSeries GG.

Connect with the SteelSeries support team

If all else fails, consider contacting their support team at support.steelseries.com. On the bottom right, there will be an NPC chatbot named Johann. He will ask a few questions to ensure you’re directed to the proper team. If you don’t see this bot, disable your ad block and refresh the page.