We have discovered an issue that occasionally causes nothing to happen when you try to stream video or nobody shows in the participant list while kasting. It may also cause your whole screen and all application windows to appear black. In many cases, this is caused by a missing, disabled, or incompatible microphone/input source.
We are in the process of tackling this issue, however currently streaming requires a microphone/input source.
In some cases we have found some headsets, such as the Logitech G533 Wireless Gaming Headset to be incompatible with Kast.
Here are the steps we recommend to diagnose and treat the problem.
1. Set audio input and output to 'Default Device'
You can edit your audio settings by pressing the cog wheel when you are kasting or watching in a party. For the purposes of troubleshooting, ensure that both input and output are set to 'Default Device'. Try to stream again, if it does not work move on to step 2.
Note: this image shows our old party view, but the principle is the same with the current party view.
2. Check that a microphone/input source is enabled in Windows Sound Settings
To check that you have a microphone/input source enabled in Windows Sound Settings:
- Open the windows menu by clicking the windows icon in the bottom left of your toolbar or by pressing the windows key on your keyboard.
- Search for "Sound Settings" in the search bar and select it from the menu.
- Click "Manage sound devices".
- If your microphone is underneath "Disabled":
- Click the microphone.
- Click enable.
- Ensure it moved beneath "Input devices".
3. Log out and back in
Logging out and back in is a simple fix for many bugs that are encountered on Kast. To do this, press your profile icon in the upper right corner and select "Log Out" from the dropdown menu.
It is important to log out and not just quit the app.
Try to stream again, if it does not work move on to step 4.
4. Update audio drivers for Realtek Audio
If none of the above options worked, follow these steps to update your Realtek Audio drivers.
- Open the windows menu by clicking the windows icon in the bottom left of your toolbar or by pressing the windows key on your keyboard.
- Search for "Device Manager" in the search bar and select it from the menu.
- Open the dropdown for "Sound, video, and game controllers".
- Right click "Realtek(R) Audio" and select "Properties" from the dropdown.
- Select the driver tab.
- Select "Update Driver".
Repeat step 3 and try to stream again, if it does not work move on to step 5.
5. Check for Windows updates
To check for Windows Updates
- Open the windows menu by clicking the windows icon in the bottom left of your toolbar or by pressing the windows key on your keyboard.
- Search for "Check for Updates" in the search bar and select it from the menu.
- Select "Check for Updates" or "Install Updates".
Repeat step 3 and try to stream again. If none of these steps worked it is likely that your microphone/headset is incompatible with Kast. Follow this FAQ to setup a temporary workaround using the 3rd party mixer, VoiceMeeter.