Groove Music Error: Can’t Play – Another App is Controlling your Sound Right Now

Microsoft’s Groove Music gives you access to your favorite music playlist, artists, online radio, at your fingertips. The app, no doubt, offers incredible new features and a fresh new look to what was earlier known as Xbox Music app.

Recently many Windows 10 users encountered an error “Can’t play – Another app is controlling your sound right now” error during music track playback. The issue seems to manifest due to internal conflicts. In this article, we outlined several tips & tricks to enjoy your favorite music tracks & radio uninterruptedly.

Download the Diagnostic

There are certain situations when missing entries in your registry and registry corruption causes this problem. Try running a registry scan to identify if there are any such issues.

1. Click the button below to download and install the Diagnostic
2. Perform a Registry scan and fix any problems detected.
3. Restart your computer.

Estimated Download Time: 10 Seconds

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Restart Windows Audio Service

1. Press Windows Key + R, type Services.msc and hit ENTER.

2. You have a new window.

3. Scroll down and locate Windows Audio service. Right-click that service, choose Properties.

4. Set the Startup type to Automatic.

5. Click Stop, and then OK.

6. Restart your laptop/ computer.

Disable Apps from Taking Exclusive Control of Sound Device

1. In the Search Box on your Taskbar, type Sound and open it.

2. Click the Playback tab.

3. Select your active sound device in the list of speakers.

4. Click Properties.

5. Go to the Advanced tab, and then uncheck the box named Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device.

6. Click Apply, and then OK.

Restore Default Sound Settings

1. Refer Steps # 1-4 under Disable Apps from Taking Exclusive Control of Sound Device section.

2. Click the Advanced tab, and then Restore Defaults.

3. Click OK.

Switch to Other Sound Device

1. Refer Steps # 1-2 under Disable Apps from Taking Exclusive Control of Sound Device section.

2. Select another sound device connected to your laptop/ computer.

3. Click the Set Default button to set it as your default audio device.

4. Click Apply, and then OK.

Disable Background Apps Controlling Sound

1. Press Windows Key + R; type MSCONFIG and press ENTER.

2. Click the General tab.

3. Choose Selective Startup option, uncheck the Load Startup Items check box.

4. Click Apply, and then OK.

5. Restart your laptop/ PC.