Sound Recorder will not play back in normal speed

Hi @Lorraine C ,

Thank you for posting your question.

There are few possible causes for this and to understand the issue better, may I ask a few clarifications in order to rule out assumptions and narrow down on the actual cause. Undertaking a few diagnostic steps may help - can you please confirm:

1. Whether the issue is with the recording itself - For this, you can try opening the recorded file and playing it in another application other than Sound Recorder (e.g. Windows Media Player, Clipchamp etc.). If the file sounds normal elsewhere, the issue is likely with the Sound Recorder application. If not, then we know that the recording was captured incorrectly.
2. As a diagnostic step, please run the Windows Audio Troubleshooter. You can do so by opening Settings > Navigate to System > Troubleshoot > Other Troubleshooters. Run Playing Audio and Recording Audio (if available) and apply suggested fixes. Once done, please recheck.
3. Checking microphone and sample rate mismatch - If the recording device (microphone) and playback device are configured with different sample rates or an audio driver incorrectly reports the recording format, playback can sound high-pitched or faster than expected. You can check this by noting the format value (default) by right clicking the speaker icon > select Sound settings > More sound settings. Now, navigate to the Recording tab > select microphone and choose Properties. Open the Advanced tab to view the format. Similarly, you can navigate to the Playback tab > select active speaker/headphone device > Properties > Advanced. If the formats are different, configure both devices to the same format such as 24 bit, 48000 Hz or 16 bit, 48000 Hz. Once the change is applied, please record a new sound and check if the issue persists.
4. If the issue persists, you may try updating the audio drivers using Device Manager or uninstalling the driver and restarting Windows for reinstallation.

Hope this was helpful! Please let me know if you still face issues or have more queries.

Ok, first, to locate the problem. Open the recording (.m4a) in any other player. If speed is normal, then, it's Sound Recorder app probelm. Go to Settings, Apps, Installed apps, find Sound Recorder app, "...", advanced, repair it. If there is still a problem, Reset.

If .m4a recording speed sounds incorrect in other players too, than Settings, System, Sound, click on microphone you are using, properties. Select 2 channels, 16bit, 48000 (or 1 channel if that's an only option). If problem persists, turn off audio enhacements. Also, you can try updating microphone driver.