failure to launch - FMOD sound system error 51

https://imgur.com/a/b7KRbHS
from Stardock.net Forums

I am getting an error when launching the game, whether with the launcher or skipping the launcher. The error reads: Failed to Initialize FMOD sound system. Error code = 51 (Error initializing output device.) This began around 9/14; before that I could play Sins2 without any problems.

I followed advice in a steam support post about this issue, but so far have been unable to get past the error. I have tried:

  • rebooting computer
  • validating the game files in steam
  • uninstalling the game and deleting the settings folders, then reinstalling
  • updating sound and video drivers
  • unchecking "allow applications to take exclusive control of this device" in default audio output device
  • disabling all sound output devices
  • unplugging all USB devices
  • disabling all audio devices in device manager

 

Error screenshot: https://imgur.com/a/b7KRbHS

Log: https://pastebin.com/Nxkvx5b9

sins of a solar empire ii
11,646 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from Sins2 Forums Top

Thank you for this report, Ill share it to a team member right away. May I ask if this is on the Live build or Test Build, if Live, could you switch to the Test build to verify if it persists there please?

To Change to Test Edition on Steam:

  1. Select ‘Sins of a Solar Empire II’ in your Steam Library.

  2. Click the gear icon in the upper right.

  3. Select Properties → Betas

  4. Select 'test_edition' from the Beta Participation dropdown.

  5. Steam will update you to the latest files.

  6. To switch back repeat step 4 and select ‘None’

Reply #2 from Sins2 Forums Top

I appreciate the quick response.

I just tried all options and the error is persisting on all three Beta Participation settings: None / previous_version - v28.3 Build / test_edition

Object Desktop - Get all of our enhancement utilities in one suite
Reply #3 from Sins2 Forums Top

Understood, thank you for the update. Ill circle back if anything else is needed

Reply #4 from Stardock.net Forums Top

I never figured out what caused the fmod error in the first place, but wanted to report that reinstalling Windows, then Steam and Sins2 has resolved the issue and let me launch the game again.

Reply #5 from Sins2 Forums Top

Thank you for updating us on this, it had the team scratching their heads