A workaround is to re-check the 'Enable Sound' option, restart the project, make sure Real Time Audio is enabled, and the issue should go away.
Real Time Audio stops playing sounds after exiting PIE with the 'Enable Sound' option disabled.
The tooltip states, "Whether to play sounds while in a Play in Editor session."
This setting does not seem to work and requires a project restart after re-checking 'Enable Sound' to be able to hear sounds in PIE and Real Time Audio while in the Editor.
If you simply uncheck the option sounds are still heard during PIE, but breaks the Real Time Audio. If a project restart is required after checking/unchecking the option, users should be prompted to do so via a dialog window.
1. Download and Open attached project.
2. Make sure Real Time Audio is enabled.
3. Press PIE
4. Exit PIE and observe how audio persists.
5. Navigate to Editor Preferences > Play > Play in Editor and uncheck 'Enable Sound'
6. PIE and exit PIE.
Outcome The sounds still play when in PIE, but after exiting the Real Time Audio seems to get disabled. No longer able to hear the audio.
Expected The sounds no longer work while in PIE, but continue to function while in the editor with Real Time Audio.
Note If you simply re-check the 'Enable Sound' option and restart the project, the issue is resolved. Seems like the setting is backwards or just doesn't function.
There's no existing public thread on this issue, so head over to Questions & Answers just mention UE-36540 in the post.