Audio Pass thru for M4a files not working?

[Woodlake2 0]

I've just set up a new mini PC and am testing out the Windows client as a replacement for android - the reason being is so that I can bit stream audio to my receiver.
I have managed to get most of it to work and I can bit stream all the selected files types when I stream a video file, but if I play an m4a file containing E-AC3, it wont pass it through the the receiver and just plays in stereo.
To further test, I used PotPlayer to play the same M4a files and they played as expected, indicating that it is not a windows issue.
Is there a setting somewhere I am missing to get M4a files to be passed thru?

[Abobader 3503]

Hello Woodlake2,

** This is an auto reply **

Please wait for someone from staff support or our members to reply to you.

It's recommended to provide more info, as it explain in this thread:

Thank you.

Emby Team

[Woodlake2 0]

Can anyone else confirm that they are unable to pass thru audio for m4a files, or is it just me?
M4a music is a large part of my library and I want to confirm that it will work before jumping in.

[Woodlake2 0]

Me too. I am unable to get audio to be passed thru for m4a files.

[Luke 42596]

 

Hi there, let's look at an example. Please attach the information requested in how to report a media playback issue. Thanks!

 

[Woodlake2 0]

Hi Luke - logs attached as requested.
I cleared them before I started and then watch an mkv files containing an E-AC3 audio track and it played as expected by passing it through to my receiver.
Next I played an m4a file, containing a 6 channel E-AC3 audio track, but this was only played in stereo.

Thanks!

embyserver.txt hardware_detection-63906676412.txt

[Woodlake2 0]

Can anyone else confirm that they are unable to pass thru audio for m4a files, or is it just me?

[Woodlake2 0]

Anyone?

[goblin2k3 6]

Can confirm this is happening in Chrome/Windows when I try to play a file I purchased on the iTunes store ages ago. 

Edited June 2 by goblin2k3

[Luke 42596]

On 6/2/2026 at 9:35 AM, goblin2k3 said:

Can confirm this is happening in Chrome/Windows when I try to play a file I purchased on the iTunes store ages ago. 

Hi there, please attach the Emby server log from when the problem occurred:

How to Report a Problem

Thanks!

 

[Woodlake2 0]

Lol - dont hold your breath goblin2k3, I supplied the requested logs in February, and Luke never bothered to reply after that - a complete waste of time posting.
 

[Luke 42596]

On 6/9/2026 at 9:07 PM, Woodlake2 said:

Lol - dont hold your breath goblin2k3, I supplied the requested logs in February, and Luke never bothered to reply after that - a complete waste of time posting.
 

He's mentioning the browser, which is different from your example. The more information, the better.

[Luke 42596]

@goblin2k3?

[goblin2k3 6]

Sorry, wasn't informed about your post. Probably wasn't logged in when opening this thread the last time. Here is the server log (activated debug mode before trying to play the track).

To give a little bit more details:

• The track path is /media/emby/Musik/Klassische Musik/Sampler/Weltliche Vokalmusik/Deutsche Volkslieder Vol. 2 (The King's Singers)/05 Feinslieb Du Hast Mich Gfangen.m4a Yes, it's a long path, but other files don't cause any problems.
• The error occurs when I remotely access emby from my workplace's computer with Windows 11. At home I always use Firefox so I can't tell if it will happen there, too.

embyserver.txt