Audio file will not loop in Powerpoint for Mac

Question

I am trying to get an audio file to play continuously while a slide is being viewed. I have checked "Loop until Stopped", "Play in Background", and, per instruction from a Microsoft tech rep, "Stop previous sound" on the next slide's transition. However, the audio file will only play once. Would appreciate help with this.

Answer 1

Hi, I appreciate the effort you put into making it work.

As a simpler workaround, you can continue using one extended audio file so it plays through the entire slide without relying on looping. For a cleaner setup later, reinsert the audio as an MP3, set Start to Automatically, enable Loop until Stopped, remove any animation, and keep PowerPoint updated since this issue is addressed in newer builds.

Answer 2

What format is the audio file, MP3 or WAV?

Select the audio, go to Playback, turn on Loop until Stopped, and set Start to Automatically. Then open Animations > Animation Pane, select the audio, choose Effect Options, and set Stop playing to After current slide. If it still delays, convert the file to MP3 and reinsert it, then apply the same settings.

Answer 3

Thanks for your reply. Does the audio need to keep playing across multiple slides?

Select the audio, open Playback, turn on Loop until Stopped, set Start to Automatically, then set Stop Playing to After and enter a high number like 999. Click Play in Background, then go to Slide Show > Set Up Slide Show and choose Presented by a speaker. Check each slide transition and remove any sound or timing so nothing stops the audio.

Answer 4

Hi, is the audio inserted directly into the slide or linked from a file on your Mac?

Open your presentation, select the audio icon, then go to Playback tab. Turn on Loop until Stopped and set Start to Automatically. Next, open Slide Show tab, select Set Up Slide Show, and confirm it is set to Presented by a speaker. Then check slide transitions, remove any After timing so the slide does not advance automatically. If the audio still stops, delete the audio from the slide, reinsert it using Insert > Audio > Audio from File, then apply Play in Background again so PowerPoint resets the playback behavior.