[SOLVED!] Computer Playing Music When Nothing Is Open

You notice your computer playing music when nothing is open? In that case, you should take advantage of Volume Mixer to locate the source of the music. Aside from that, you could also boot into Safe Mode, scan for malware and so on. Not exactly tech-savvy and could use some help carrying out the solutions? In that case, this article is exactly what you need. 

The Root Of The Problem 

Apps And Processes

Once it comes to the computer playing music when nothing is open, one of the leading causes is apps/processes running in the background. On occasions, applications and processes could prove difficult to identify at a glance. As a result, you may be led to believe that you have nothing running but in reality, you do.

Streams

Windows has a “Play To” command feature that you can use to stream and play music from one computer to another. You have more than one computer in your home? Then it’s possible that the music is coming from another computer that’s using the “Play To” command to stream music from the one you’re currently using.

Malware

Another possible reason your computer is playing music when you don’t have any apps open is if it is infected by malware. There are different types of malware and they would mess up quite a few functions of Windows. That is why if your computer suddenly starts playing music when you have nothing open, malware could be the cause.

Actions To Take

Make Use Of Volume Mixer 

If you’re hearing music playing from your PC and you don’t have “visible” apps/processes running, open Volume Mixer. By doing so, you should be able to determine a background app/process is laying music. 

• Step 1: Navigate to taskbar and find the volume icon. In most of the cases, the volume icon (speaker icon) is located right next to the battery icon.
• Step 2: Once you’ve found it, the next thing to do is right-click on it and select Open Volume Mixer from the list of options. 

Once the Volume Mixer menu is open, you should see all the applications with audio access. You’ll also be able to easily identify applications and processes that are currently running and playing music. Once you’ve found the apps/process responsible for the music you’re hearing, the next thing to do is to close them.

Boot Into Safe Mode

• Step 1: Press Windows + I to open Settings. Another way to reach Settings is to click Start menu then pick the cog icon. 
• Step 2: Navigate to Update & Security, open it and then open the Recovery settings.
• Step 3: Click on Advanced startup and select the Restart now option. This will make your PC restart to an Options screen.
• Step 4: From the Options menu screen menu, select Troubleshoot and then click on Advanced options.
• Step 5: From the Advanced Options screen. Navigate to Startup Settings and click on it. Next, click on Restart and then press “4” or “F4” on your PC to restart your computer in Safe Mode.  

Once you’re done with the Safe Mode launch, all you’ll need to do to revert to normal launch is restart your computer. If for some reason this doesn’t work, however, follow the steps below to successfully exit Safe Mode on your computer:

• Step 1: Press the Windows and the “R” key together. This should pull up a dialog box.
• Step 2: In the dialog box that comes up, type in MSConfig and click OK.
• Step 3: In System Configuration, select the Boot tab and under the Boot options, click on the checkbox beside the Safe boot option. This will take your computer out of Safe Mode.

Note: Alternatively, you could perform a clean boot as well. 

About computer playing music when nothing is open, one way to troubleshoot is to perform a clean boot. A clean boot will restart your computer with minimal drivers and restricted background processing.

• Step 1: Open System Configuration.
• Step 2: Navigate to Services tab, check the Hide all Microsoft services checkbox and hit Disable all.
• Step 3: Navigate to the Startup tab, hit Open Task Manager and disable everything you see.
• Step 4: Close Task Manager then select Apply and choose OK in System Configuration. 
• Step 5: Restart your computer. 

Take A Look At Other Computers

If you have more than one computer in your home and you’ve previously connected these computers, you’ll want to check and see if the computers are still connected. You’ll also want to check the other computers to see if anyone is currently using the Windows “Play To” command to stream music from your computer.

Scan For Malware

If you suspect that your computer may be infected with malware that causes it to play music randomly, you need to open Windows Defender and scan for threats. If Windows Defender locates threats, have them removed from your PC immediately. 

• Step 1: Open Settings, select Update & Security and choose Virus & threat protection in Windows Security. 
• Step 2: Click Scan options, pick Full scan and hit Scan now
• Step 3: Allow the scan to go all the way then restart your computer.

You could also use third-party security software like Norton Antivirus and Avast to scan for malware and viruses and keep your computer safe.