WASAPI exclusive mode issue in Snipping tool

Question

WASAPI exclusive mode issue in Snipping tool

Gehad H. Mohamed 5

Hello Team,

I have been getting this issue, "WASAPI exclusive mode", whenever I make a video recording using the Snipping Tool
I tried all the solutions in the YouTube videos for this case, but none of them worked. I changed the settings and am still getting the same issue

Please advise, as this is really critical for me.

Many thanks for considering my request.

David DiLena 0 Reputation points

2025-09-23T17:22:06.7833333+00:00

I have the same problem, I also followed the same advice and it also did not fix anything.
BryceSor 5,510 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2025-09-25T09:20:51.2866667+00:00

Hi Gehad H. Mohamed ,

Can you tell us more about your audio issue so we have a better understanding of what you are trying to achieve?

Just making sure you are using the old control panel as the new sound properties doesn't has those options in W11
Gehad H. Mohamed 5 Reputation points

2025-10-26T18:21:26.7133333+00:00

Hello @David DiLena ,

I uninstalled some NVIDIA apps from my laptop, which helped, and the issue was resolved.

However, it appeared once more and disappeared again, so there is no set of steps to solve this issue
Gehad H. Mohamed 5 Reputation points

2025-10-26T18:23:13.3466667+00:00

Hello @BryceSor ,

I have followed all the steps, and the new sound properties don't have those options in W11, but nothing worked

4 answers

Your answer

David DiLena 0 Reputation points

2025-09-23T17:22:06.7833333+00:00

I have the same problem, I also followed the same advice and it also did not fix anything.
BryceSor 5,510 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2025-09-25T09:20:51.2866667+00:00

Hi Gehad H. Mohamed ,

Can you tell us more about your audio issue so we have a better understanding of what you are trying to achieve?

Just making sure you are using the old control panel as the new sound properties doesn't has those options in W11
Gehad H. Mohamed 5 Reputation points

2025-10-26T18:21:26.7133333+00:00

Hello @David DiLena ,

I uninstalled some NVIDIA apps from my laptop, which helped, and the issue was resolved.

However, it appeared once more and disappeared again, so there is no set of steps to solve this issue
Gehad H. Mohamed 5 Reputation points

2025-10-26T18:23:13.3466667+00:00

Hello @BryceSor ,

I have followed all the steps, and the new sound properties don't have those options in W11, but nothing worked

Answer 1

Per Copilot:

🎧 Step-by-Step: Enable WASAPI Exclusive Mode

Open Sound Settings

• Right-click the speaker icon in the system tray.

• Select "Sound settings".

Choose Your Output Device

• Under "Output", click on your active playback device (e.g., your headphones or speakers).

Access Device Properties

• Scroll down and click "Advanced" under the device settings.

• Then click "More sound settings" (this opens the classic Sound control panel).

Open Properties

• In the Playback tab, select your device and click "Properties".

Enable Exclusive Mode

• Go to the Advanced tab.

• Under "Exclusive Mode", check both:

• ✅ Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device

• ✅ Give exclusive mode applications priority

Apply and OK

• Click Apply, then OK to confirm

Can you use WIN+R, type winver and tell us what

Insider build and Channel you're on?

Did this work previously?

Gehad H. Mohamed 5 Reputation points

2025-08-27T07:15:22.0533333+00:00

I want to disable it. not enable.

Answer 2

Gehad H. Mohamed 5

No worries, thanks for your help
Still the same issue, I tried this method before, as this is the one on YouTube

David DiLena 0 Reputation points

2025-09-23T17:22:31.2233333+00:00

Did you ever find a solution?

Answer 3

Jen Higginbotham 0

I had the same error pop up three times in a row. After looking up what WASAPI does, I just closed my teams app (closed the window, did not "quit" the program) and my headphone mic immediately started working for the recording. You'd probably need the disabling steps above if you're trying to record steps for tasks in teams. Not sure. Good luck!

0 comments

Answer 4

CrazyKats 20,095 Volunteer Moderator

Sorry for the misunderstanding.

Per Copilot:

🎧 If You Want to Disable WASAPI Exclusive Mode

This is often the case when apps are hogging your audio device:

Open Sound Settings:

• Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar → Sounds.

• Go to the Playback tab.

Choose Your Audio Device:

• Select your default playback device (e.g., Speakers or Headphones) → click Properties.

Go to Advanced Tab:

• Uncheck:

• “Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device”

• “Give exclusive mode applications priority”

Click Apply and OK.

0 comments