This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

firefox audio settings

  • 9 cavab
  • 2 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by cor-el

more options

I've used both Chrome and Firefox and find Firefox is the better browser for me but I have one issue with firefox and that is it's audio output. When I play videos in chrome the audio is of much better quality then firefox for some reason. I have not adjusted any audio or video settings in either so it is the default setting of each. I'm assuming that it's the default audio setting of each browser but really don't know. How can I figure out what is making this difference in order to set firefox's audio to the same setting as chrome?

I've used both Chrome and Firefox and find Firefox is the better browser for me but I have one issue with firefox and that is it's audio output. When I play videos in chrome the audio is of much better quality then firefox for some reason. I have not adjusted any audio or video settings in either so it is the default setting of each. I'm assuming that it's the default audio setting of each browser but really don't know. How can I figure out what is making this difference in order to set firefox's audio to the same setting as chrome?

All Replies (9)

more options

I do not think there are any video / audio controls in Firefox except for the viewers provided by the plugins. Is there a site that gives you problems, or several sites?

more options

It's not specific to any sites. No matter what site it is the audio is not as clear and crisp in firefox as it is in Chrome.

If you have both browsers on your computer give it a try and see if it's the same for you.

more options

Let's try a test. Using Firefox, download one of those files. After, play the file in a video program. Is there any distortion?

more options

Files played on video programs have the same quality as Chrome audio, meaning better then firefox.

more options

Your System Details shows;

Installed Plug-ins

Adobe Shockwave for Director Netscape plug-in, version 12.1.3.153 Adobe Shockwave for Director Netscape plug-in, version 12.0.3.133

Having more than one version of a program may cause issues.

more options

I'll uninstall the old version and see if that helps. Will report back.

more options

Nothing changed. Same thing. Chrome audio quaility still much better then firefox for some reason.

more options

I just discovered that under OPTIONS===>>APPLICATIONS in firefox there is a list of associated programs plugins including audio plugins. Could this have something to do with the difference in audio quality within firefox and if so what can I change in it to improve the audio?

more options

Is this happening with a plugin like Flash or with the built-in HTML5 media player?

You can toggle these prefs to false on the about:config page to disable the HTML5 media player for some files like MP3 audio files and H.264 videos.

  • media.windows-media-foundation.enabled
  • media.directshow.enabled

You can open the about:config page via the location/address bar. You can accept the warning and click "I'll be careful" to continue.