RetroPie Tips (Fixing No Sound, Wi-Fi and Raspbian)


As of 2018, RetroPie introduced various audio configurations for its users, enhancing the user experience. However, most users experienced some challenges with the emulator due to the lack of sound when playing some games or connecting to their TV.

So, how do you fix no sound on RetroPie? To fix the no sound issue on RetroPie, you can select audio from the main menu and choose your go-to sound system; that is headphones, mixer, or HDMI. Alternatively, you can select Raspberry configuration from the main menu, find advanced settings, and set the audio from the list. Also, you can restore the audio through the RetroPie Setup on the menu. Thanks to improvements to RetroPie, you now have unlimited options when making a video or audio settings.

When it comes to gaming, your video and audio quality has an effect on your experience. Therefore, you expect your audio and video components to operate at optimum. However, what happens when you have no sound on RetroPie?

To fix the audio issue, you can click audio from the main menu and enter the sound system you are using. It may be headphones, HDMI, or the mixer. Another viable method is the Raspberry configuration tool from the menu.

When you click on advanced settings, you will locate the audio and choose your preferred sound output. The third method is the RetroPie Setup, which is an alternative configuration tool. When you scroll down, you will find the audio settings and click on your sound system.

Most RetroPie users with audio issues often complain about their system volume getting stuck at 0, and it retracts back to the point even when you increase the volume. When this happens, you cannot increase the sound level in the emulator. Hence, you won’t hear clicks, and your games will play without sound. There are three main ways to fix this. Let’s discuss each method in detail.

  1. Change the Audio Output

This step is the easiest since you don’t have to hassle with configuring the emulator. The first step is to click “Audio” in RetroPie’s main menu. The screen will show the various outputs that you may need to adjust.

You will have Auto, Headphones, HDMI, Mixer, and Default. Here, you can click a suitable option according to your sound system. Most gamers prefer HDMI, and if that is your option, you can click on it, press OK, and you will receive sound through the HDMI cable.

  1. Raspberry Configuration

If you have already set the HDMI or any other audio setting, but you still don’t have sound, this second option may help. It entails using Raspberry’s configuration tools to make settings. Starting from RetroPie’s main menu, you can scroll down to the RASPI-CONFIG then click A. It will offer several other options like changing user password, network, update, boot, and advanced.

Navigate to modification of advanced setting, tap on it and find more prompts in the window. Here, you can adjust the resolution, overscan, memory split, and sound. When you click on the audio, the system will prompt you to select your preferred output, either auto, headphones, or HDMI. You will then tap the audio you want to use, enforce it and go back to the configuration tool and click finish.

  1. RetroPie Setup

Again, from the main menu, you can locate the RETROPIE SETUP from the list and enter. It will offer configuration tools, update, install, uninstall, reboot, and other actions. The choices will increase when you go under config tools.

Next, you will choose the audio settings and make your configurations. After tapping OK, the system will give you all the sound options, from Auto, HDMI to a mixer, and you can select your go-to. Finally, you can exit back to the main menu.

When you have made these adjustments, you will have fixed your audio problems. To confirm, navigate to the system menu under the sound settings where you can easily increase the volume. You will now hear the click sounds when you scroll RetroPie’s icons, and the games will have audio.

Do You Need Raspbian for RetroPie?

If you are a die-hard for classic video games, you must have heard about RetroPie and wanted to try it out. To get it running, you will need all the required software that facilitates it. One common question among first-timers is whether RetroPie can operate even without installing Raspbian first.

RetroPie will effectively work if you have Raspbian in the system. The emulator uses Raspbian as its operating system, meaning it cannot run without it. The viable option is to download the relevant images with installed RetroPie and make the necessary settings.

Alternatively, you can obtain the software from NOOBS or another trusted source and set up RetroPie afterward. The key is to install the software correctly using secure channels depending on your device and operating system. Make sure that doing this is legal and that software doesn’t contain malware.

The terms may be confusing if you are bumping into them for the first time, thus I will break them down for you. NOOBS is the installer you need when you want to set up the software for RetroPie.

However, it is not an operating system, although it allows you to select the OS you need and helps you set them up. On the contrary, Raspbian is a Debian Linux version for Raspberry Pi that you can set up directly or using NOOBS.

RetroPie is a game emulator that you can use to access classic titles that your device otherwise doesn’t support. Note that it doesn’t operate alone because it runs Raspbian that serves as its operating system. Fortunately, you can install Raspbian using NOOBS then introduce RetroPie for the best of gaming.

You may also have to make some configuration tweaks for smooth operation based on your preference. Most gamers usually use NOOBS to obtain Raspbian then set up an emulation station in the software.

In turn, when they install RetroPie, they find it easier to use it for old games. However, others opt to install RetroPie as a standalone, making it tasking to deploy the Pi for other tasks besides emulation.

Does RetroPie Need Wi-Fi?

Many gamers love reliving the good old days by playing classics. Since some devices don’t support them, you will need to install emulators like RetroPie for online gaming. If you are new to the entire concept, you may be concerned about whether you will need a Wi-Fi connection for the system to work.

RetroPie requires a fast and stable internet for online access to games; therefore, you will be safer with Wi-Fi. If you have a Raspberry Pi3 or a newer generation, you’ll have Wi-Fi already installed into the system.

However, Raspberry Pi2 and older models lack internet connectivity, thus you may need a separate Wi-Fi dongle for RetroPie provided that it is compatible with your computer. On the contrary, you can access RetroPie without Wi-Fi if you are playing offline.

Many gamers love logging online because they can join their buddies to play in real-time. In this case, if you want the best of RetroPie, then you may need internet services through Wi-Fi. Additionally, you will need a reliable connection to install and update the software and obtain the RetroPie ROMs. In contrast, if you already have the titles on your gadget, you may only need Wi-Fi to download RetroPie.

If you have the games’ ROM on the computer, the application will automatically pick them up after installation. You can also add more titles to your library for your friends and family to enjoy. Other than emulating Pi games, RetroPie is versatile and can work with other brands too. It indicates that the software is among the best emulators you can find.

How To Connect RetroPie To Wi-Fi

Internet access is essential for almost every gamer, especially when playing online multiplayer games, making subscriptions, or updating the system. Therefore, it’s imperative to know how to connect your system to a network. If it’s your first time trying, I have broken down the process of connecting RetroPie to Wi-Fi.

Since most gamers prefer the Wi-Fi module, you need a connection from RetroPie’s menu in the emulation station. Select configure Wi-Fi and follow the prompts. Once connected, you will see the router IP address at the top of the menu options. There is also the Pixel OS and command method. These procedures will also effectively get you online with RetroPie, but the Wi-Fi module is the fastest.

It is simpler if you would instead link the network through RetroPie. First, open the main menu and click on configure Wi-Fi, then “connect to Wi-Fi network”. On the next window, choose your preferred network (SSID), afterward, another prompt will open up requesting your password, for which you can type and press OK. However, you will need patience until the configuration process is complete.

With the correct password, the Pi will show an IP address above the initial menu. Alternatively, starting from RetroPie options, you can select PixelOS and let it load. Once it opens up, search for the symbol on the bottom right end near the clock. Click it, and a window containing available networks will surface.

Afterward, select your network, enter a password, let the system configure the IP address you are using, and establish an internet connection. If you have some doubts, you may try browsing the internet to confirm that you have a reliable Wi-Fi connection. You can also use particular commands without a keyboard and create a stable network.

Your system’s SD card comes with a boot file, on it, add another folder called “wifikeyfile.txt” and load your Wi-Fi data on it. Enter the SSID (network name) and PSK (network password), which will facilitate access to the Wi-Fi module, then select “import Wi-Fi credentials” followed by OK to get a connection running.

Cannot Connect RetroPie To Wi-Fi?

It is common for users to complain that they cannot access their games due to Wi-Fi problems. You will realize that internet connection is a crucial part of RetroPie. Therefore, if there is something wrong, you want to know how to fix it to have uninterrupted gaming.

You may have connection problems with RetroPie if there is an issue with the router, blocking Wi-Fi access. If so, you can reboot the system, and the internet should be back. It may also be due to physical barriers or other wireless gadgets blocking the signal within the router’s range. Therefore, you can place your router in a central position and away from interfering devices. Low Wi-Fi frequency and slow internet speeds may also contribute to the issues with RetroPie.

The most likely reason for Wi-Fi issues is problems with the modem or router. If these two are down, your devices will not receive an internet connection, thus you won’t connect to the emulator.

You can reinstate the connection by rebooting your gadgets and unplugging your router for almost a minute when this happens. The internet should be back after this. Otherwise, the Wi-Fi may have physical obstructions preventing RetroPie from working.

In this case, you can set up your router in a convenient location, preferably at the center of your home or room, where it can distribute signals without interruptions. Sometimes the barrier may be thickened walls such that the internet connection cannot go through. Other users also place their router together with other wireless gadgets that also rely on signals such as Bluetooth speakers that consequently interrupt reception.

Similarly, Wi-Fi may fail if it has a low or crowded frequency which reduces the internet speed. To fix this, you can use a dual-band router that alternates the signal when one frequency gets packed.

Otherwise, you can also switch to a 5GHz internet that guarantees a faster connection. Also, your Wi-Fi may not connect if you have not enabled Wi-Fi on your device. Therefore, confirm that the connection is enabled through the control panel on your computer.

In Summary

RetroPie is one of the best emulators you can use to access old games that your gadget doesn’t support. However, if there is something wrong with the system, it may interfere with your gaming experience. One common issue is the lack of sound. Fortunately, you can fix this from RetroPie’s main menu.

First, you can go to the audio settings in the topmost icon, select the sound system you are using, navigate to RASPI-CONFIG, click advanced settings and modify the sound. Lastly, you can also choose RETROPIE SETUP then make audio configurations. For RetroPie to work efficiently, you will also have to install it alongside Raspbian and connect it to Wi-Fi.

Bal Kang

Bal Kang is a technology expert based in the UK, with experience across a number of technology areas from phones, tablets, computers to gaming.

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