Audio alerts are not working in Thunderbird for Calendar events
I've set the sound file it should play in Tools, Options, Calendar, Reminders, Play a sound, Use the following file. But no sound is played. Other sounds on my computer play fine. The file its supposed to play also works fine if played manually. Is there something that could be blocking this file from being played? And why does it say Reminders when that word isn't even used in Calendar anywhere? Shouldn't it be called Notifications?
All Replies (10)
Reminder is used because that is the word used when setting up a reminder for an event.
I notice you use the work 'Notification', so are you using a MAC ?
Since OS X 10.8, display of notifications - alert banners/dialogs, badges, and notification sounds - are now the responsibility of the operating system, not the application. So perhaps there is a conflict in the OS alert sound settings ?
Using Win7. How would you recommend I search for conflicts? That sounds like the problem here. I also have a problem with alerts working inconsistently with Opera Mail. Though with Thunderbird Mail new mail alerts seem to work flawlessly. I'm using a M-Audio Audiophile 24/96 PCI soundcard and have had some issues with it. Sometimes the sound doesn't work after working for hours. The machine was not being stressed at the time. Then I'll launch something else, usually another browser and audio is back for all functions. I think I'll try the on board audio to see if I notice the same things happening. The ol' process of elimination for those of us incapable of good diagnostics!
Well the audio alert still is inconsistent in Opera Mail. So its not the driver. The strange thing is its not working at all for Reminders in Thunderbird no matter what driver I use yet email notifications seem flawless in Thunderbird. I'd like to use Thunderbird for much more of my communication/notification needs if I could just get this to work.
In 'Options' > 'Calendar' > 'Alarms' - 'When a reminder is Due'
Is the problem with the file, volume etc.
Test: Does the 'Use default sound' option work
Obviously you would need to create a test event starting in 20 minutes and set a 15 minute reminder.
Modified by Toad-Hall
> In 'Options' > 'Calendar' > 'Alarms' - 'When a reminder is Due'
Yes.
> Is the problem with the file, volume etc.
No, I can play the file fine.
> Test: Does the 'Use default sound' option work
Yes. The mystery continues!
I have mp3, wma and m4a types to choose from. None work.
UPDATE: I checked if I was using the default sound for email notifications and I was. I tried some others and they did not work. So it looks like the problem is Thunderbird is picky about the file type. I have no idea what file type Thunderbird uses for the default notification. I'd use the default Reminder sound but its so soft I'd never hear it.
I don't think TB will accept a sound that isn't a wav file, like the ones in the Windows/Media folder. The best choice is a 16 bit, 44 or 22kHz, 2-channel, wav. I think there may be a size limit, so an mp3 with a wav header will also work for long sounds.
sfhowes I think you're on to something. But where is this elusive media folder in Windows 7? I know I've seen it somewhere.
The path is C:\Windows\Media here.
On Windows 10 OS. I've just tested a .wav file size 10.3KB which I have in this location and it worked ok.
- file:///C:/Users/User Account name/Music/MASHradar-mailcall.wav