# Random ChannelStolen errors

**URL:** <https://qa.fmod.com/t/random-channelstolen-errors/23246>\
**Category:** Unity\
**Tags:** unity, csharp\
**Created:** [August 18, 2025, 3:13pm UTC](https://qa.fmod.com/t/random-channelstolen-errors/23246 "2025-08-18T15:13:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![btsslawa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b38774/32.png) [@btsslawa](https://qa.fmod.com/u/btsslawa)\
**Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 3:13pm UTC](https://qa.fmod.com/t/random-channelstolen-errors/23246/1 "2025-08-18T15:13:27Z")

</div>

Hello support,

using Unity 6000.1.14f1  
using FMOD Plugin Version 2.02.20

Sometimes when playing the game I am working on I get errors like this when I control my character:

> [FMOD] ChannelControl::isPlaying(000000EB8A57EFA0:false) returned ERR\_CHANNEL\_STOLEN for CHANNELCONTROL (0x7FE0005).  
> UnityEngine.Debug:LogError (object)  
> FMODUnity.RuntimeUtils:DebugLogError (string) (at Assets/Plugins/FMOD/src/RuntimeUtils.cs:580)  
> FMODUnity.RuntimeManager:ERROR\_CALLBACK (intptr,FMOD.SYSTEM\_CALLBACK\_TYPE,intptr,intptr,intptr) (at Assets/Plugins/FMOD/src/RuntimeManager.cs:142)
> 
> [FMOD] ChannelControl::isPlaying(000000EB8A57F000:false) returned ERR\_CHANNEL\_STOLEN for CHANNELCONTROL (0x7FE0005).  
> UnityEngine.Debug:LogError (object)  
> FMODUnity.RuntimeUtils:DebugLogError (string) (at Assets/Plugins/FMOD/src/RuntimeUtils.cs:580)  
> FMODUnity.RuntimeManager:ERROR\_CALLBACK (intptr,FMOD.SYSTEM\_CALLBACK\_TYPE,intptr,intptr,intptr) (at Assets/Plugins/FMOD/src/RuntimeManager.cs:142)
> 
> [FMOD] ChannelControl::stop() returned ERR\_CHANNEL\_STOLEN for CHANNELCONTROL (0x7FE0005).  
> UnityEngine.Debug:LogError (object)  
> FMODUnity.RuntimeUtils:DebugLogError (string) (at Assets/Plugins/FMOD/src/RuntimeUtils.cs:580)  
> FMODUnity.RuntimeManager:ERROR\_CALLBACK (intptr,FMOD.SYSTEM\_CALLBACK\_TYPE,intptr,intptr,intptr) (at Assets/Plugins/FMOD/src/RuntimeManager.cs:142)
> 
> [FMOD] ChannelControl::setDelay(99328, 119457, true) returned ERR\_CHANNEL\_STOLEN for CHANNELCONTROL (0x7FC0011).  
> UnityEngine.Debug:LogError (object)  
> FMODUnity.RuntimeUtils:DebugLogError (string) (at Assets/Plugins/FMOD/src/RuntimeUtils.cs:580)  
> FMODUnity.RuntimeManager:ERROR\_CALLBACK (intptr,FMOD.SYSTEM\_CALLBACK\_TYPE,intptr,intptr,intptr) (at Assets/Plugins/FMOD/src/RuntimeManager.cs:142)
> 
> [FMOD] ChannelControl::setFadePointRamp(119457, 0) returned ERR\_CHANNEL\_STOLEN for CHANNELCONTROL (0x7FC0011).  
> UnityEngine.Debug:LogError (object)  
> FMODUnity.RuntimeUtils:DebugLogError (string) (at Assets/Plugins/FMOD/src/RuntimeUtils.cs:580)  
> FMODUnity.RuntimeManager:ERROR\_CALLBACK (intptr,FMOD.SYSTEM\_CALLBACK\_TYPE,intptr,intptr,intptr) (at Assets/Plugins/FMOD/src/RuntimeManager.cs:142)
> 
> [FMOD] Channel::getLoopCount(000000EB8A57EB40:0) returned ERR\_CHANNEL\_STOLEN for CHANNEL (0x7FC0011).  
> UnityEngine.Debug:LogError (object)  
> FMODUnity.RuntimeUtils:DebugLogError (string) (at Assets/Plugins/FMOD/src/RuntimeUtils.cs:580)  
> FMODUnity.RuntimeManager:ERROR\_CALLBACK (intptr,FMOD.SYSTEM\_CALLBACK\_TYPE,intptr,intptr,intptr) (at Assets/Plugins/FMOD/src/RuntimeManager.cs:142)
> 
> [FMOD] ChannelControl::isPlaying(000000EB8A57EFA0:false) returned ERR\_CHANNEL\_STOLEN for CHANNELCONTROL (0x7FC0011).  
> UnityEngine.Debug:LogError (object)  
> FMODUnity.RuntimeUtils:DebugLogError (string) (at Assets/Plugins/FMOD/src/RuntimeUtils.cs:580)  
> FMODUnity.RuntimeManager:ERROR\_CALLBACK (intptr,FMOD.SYSTEM\_CALLBACK\_TYPE,intptr,intptr,intptr) (at Assets/Plugins/FMOD/src/RuntimeManager.cs:142)
> 
> [FMOD] ChannelControl::isPlaying(000000EB8A57F000:false) returned ERR\_CHANNEL\_STOLEN for CHANNELCONTROL (0x7FC0011).  
> UnityEngine.Debug:LogError (object)  
> FMODUnity.RuntimeUtils:DebugLogError (string) (at Assets/Plugins/FMOD/src/RuntimeUtils.cs:580)  
> FMODUnity.RuntimeManager:ERROR\_CALLBACK (intptr,FMOD.SYSTEM\_CALLBACK\_TYPE,intptr,intptr,intptr) (at Assets/Plugins/FMOD/src/RuntimeManager.cs:142)
> 
> [FMOD] ChannelControl::stop() returned ERR\_CHANNEL\_STOLEN for CHANNELCONTROL (0x7FC0011).  
> UnityEngine.Debug:LogError (object)  
> FMODUnity.RuntimeUtils:DebugLogError (string) (at Assets/Plugins/FMOD/src/RuntimeUtils.cs:580)  
> FMODUnity.RuntimeManager:ERROR\_CALLBACK (intptr,FMOD.SYSTEM\_CALLBACK\_TYPE,intptr,intptr,intptr) (at Assets/Plugins/FMOD/src/RuntimeManager.cs:142)

Now I play audio in centralised way. I have this script which basically handles registering audio events:

```auto
using System.Collections.Generic;
using FMOD.Studio;
using FMODUnity;
using Sirenix.OdinInspector;
using UnityEngine;
using EventReference = FMODUnity.EventReference;
using STOP_MODE = FMOD.Studio.STOP_MODE;

namespace BTSMOH.Game.Audio
{
    public class AudioRegistry : MonoBehaviour
    {
        [ReadOnly]
        [ShowInInspector]
        private Dictionary<EventReference, AudioEventInfo> registry = new Dictionary<EventReference, AudioEventInfo>();

        private void Awake()
        {
            registry = new Dictionary<EventReference, AudioEventInfo>();
        }

        public void Register(EventReference reference, EventReleaseType releaseType, bool canBePaused)
        {
            EventInstance instance = RuntimeManager.CreateInstance(reference.Guid);
            AudioEventInfo info = new AudioEventInfo(instance, releaseType, canBePaused);
            registry.TryAdd(reference, info);
        }

        public void Play(EventReference reference, bool stopBeforePlaying)
        {
            if (IsSoundEventValid(reference, out AudioEventInfo info))
            {
                if (IsEventInstanceValid(info.EventInstance))
                {
                    if (IsInstancePlaying(info.EventInstance) && stopBeforePlaying)
                    {
                        info.EventInstance.stop(STOP_MODE.IMMEDIATE);
                    }

                    info.EventInstance.start();
                    if (info.EventReleaseType == EventReleaseType.AFTERPLAY)
                    {
                        info.EventInstance.release();
                    }
                }
            }
        }

        /// <summary>
        /// PauseState determines if we pause a soundevent
        /// True -> Pause
        /// False -> Resume
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="reference"></param>
        /// <param name="pauseState"></param>
        public void Pause(EventReference reference, bool pauseState)
        {
            if (IsSoundEventValid(reference, out AudioEventInfo info))
            {
                if (IsEventInstanceValid(info.EventInstance))
                {
                    if (info.CanBePaused)
                    {
                        info.EventInstance.setPaused(pauseState);
                    }
                }
            }
        }

        public void PauseAll()
        {
            foreach (KeyValuePair<EventReference, AudioEventInfo> kvp in registry)
            {
                Pause(kvp.Key, true);
            }
        }

        public void ResumeAll()
        {
            foreach (KeyValuePair<EventReference, AudioEventInfo> kvp in registry)
            {
                Pause(kvp.Key, false);
            }
        }

        public void Stop(EventReference reference, STOP_MODE stopMode)
        {
            if (IsSoundEventValid(reference, out AudioEventInfo info))
            {
                if (IsEventInstanceValid(info.EventInstance))
                {
                    info.EventInstance.stop(stopMode);
                    if (info.EventReleaseType == EventReleaseType.AFTERSTOP)
                    {
                        info.EventInstance.release();
                    }
                }
            }
        }

        private bool IsSoundEventValid(EventReference reference, out AudioEventInfo info)
        {
            info = new AudioEventInfo();
            if (reference.IsNull)
            {
                return false;
            }

            if (registry.TryGetValue(reference, out AudioEventInfo value))
            {
                info = value;
                return true;
            }

            return false;
        }

        private bool IsEventInstanceValid(EventInstance instance)
        {
            return instance.isValid();
        }

        public bool IsPlaying(EventReference reference)
        {
            if (IsSoundEventValid(reference, out AudioEventInfo info))
            {
                return IsInstancePlaying(info.EventInstance);
            }

            return false;
        }

        private bool IsInstancePlaying(EventInstance instance)
        {
            if (IsEventInstanceValid(instance))
            {
                PLAYBACK_STATE playbackState;
                instance.getPlaybackState(out playbackState);
                return playbackState == PLAYBACK_STATE.STARTING || playbackState == PLAYBACK_STATE.PLAYING;
            }

            return false;
        }

        public bool IsFinished(EventReference reference)
        {
            if (IsSoundEventValid(reference, out AudioEventInfo info))
            {
                return IsInstanceFinished(info.EventInstance);
            }

            return false;
        }

        private bool IsInstanceFinished(EventInstance instance)
        {
            if (IsEventInstanceValid(instance))
            {
                PLAYBACK_STATE playbackState;
                instance.getPlaybackState(out playbackState);
                return playbackState == PLAYBACK_STATE.STOPPED;
            }

            return false;
        }

        public void Unregister(EventReference reference)
        {
            if (registry.ContainsKey(reference))
            {
                if (IsSoundEventValid(reference, out AudioEventInfo info))
                {
                    if (IsEventInstanceValid(info.EventInstance))
                    {
                        info.EventInstance.stop(STOP_MODE.IMMEDIATE);
                        if (info.EventReleaseType == EventReleaseType.AFTERUNREGISTER)
                        {
                            info.EventInstance.release();
                        }

                        registry.Remove(reference);
                    }
                }
            }
        }

        public void UnregisterAll()
        {
            List<EventReference> keys = new List<EventReference>(registry.Keys);

            foreach (EventReference reference in keys)
            {
                Unregister(reference);
            }

            registry.Clear();
        }

        public void Dispose()
        {
            UnregisterAll();
        }

        private void OnDisable()
        {
            Dispose();
        }
    }
}

```

Like for example when I walk around with one of my characters the errors above are thrown.

This is the script that handles character audio:

```auto
using System.Collections.Generic;
using BTSMOH.Game.Audio;
using BTSMOH.Game.Entities.Animation;
using FMOD.Studio;
using FMODUnity;
using Sirenix.OdinInspector;
using UnityEngine;
using STOP_MODE = FMOD.Studio.STOP_MODE;

namespace BTSMOH.Game.Entities.Audio
{
    public class CharacterAudible : MonoBehaviour,
                                    IEntityAudible
    {
        [SerializeField]
        private EntitySoundData entitySoundData;

        [ReadOnly]
        [ShowInInspector]
        private EntityAnimationState currentAnimationState;

        private EntityStateSoundInfo currentStateSoundInfo;
        private EventReference currentSoundEvent;
        private EventInstance currentEventInstance;

        public EntitySoundData EntitySoundData
        {
            get => entitySoundData;
            set => entitySoundData = value;
        }

        private void Awake()
        {
            currentAnimationState = ScriptableObject.CreateInstance<EntityAnimationState>();
            foreach (KeyValuePair<EntityAnimationState, EntityStateSoundInfo> kvp in entitySoundData.SoundInfo)
            {
                if (!kvp.Value.EventReference.IsNull)
                {
                    GameHandler.AudioRegistry.Register(kvp.Value.EventReference, EventReleaseType.AFTERUNREGISTER, true);
                }
            }
        }

        public void Play(EntityAnimationState state, bool forcePlay)
        {
            // Set entityAnimation state first before play
            if (state == null)
            {
                return;
            }

            if (currentAnimationState != state)
            {
                GameHandler.AudioRegistry.Stop(currentStateSoundInfo.EventReference, STOP_MODE.IMMEDIATE);
                currentAnimationState = state;

                entitySoundData.SoundInfo.TryGetValue(currentAnimationState, out currentStateSoundInfo);
                currentSoundEvent = currentStateSoundInfo.EventReference;
            }

            if (forcePlay)
            {
                GameHandler.AudioRegistry.Play(currentSoundEvent, false);
            }
            else
            {
                if (!GameHandler.AudioRegistry.IsPlaying(currentSoundEvent))
                {
                    GameHandler.AudioRegistry.Play(currentSoundEvent, false);
                }
            }
        }

        public void Pause()
        {
            GameHandler.AudioRegistry.Pause(currentSoundEvent, true);
        }

        public void Resume()
        {
            GameHandler.AudioRegistry.Pause(currentSoundEvent, false);
        }

        public void Stop()
        {
            GameHandler.AudioRegistry.Stop(currentSoundEvent, STOP_MODE.IMMEDIATE);
        }

        private void OnDisable()
        {
            if (GameHandler.AudioRegistry != null)
            {
                foreach (KeyValuePair<EntityAnimationState, EntityStateSoundInfo> kvp in entitySoundData.SoundInfo)
                {
                    GameHandler.AudioRegistry.Unregister(kvp.Value.EventReference);
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

```

I read that this error specifically “ERR\_CHANNEL\_STOLEN for CHANNELCONTROL” means a virtual voice has its channel stolen and if there is a voice cutoff I should increase the virtual channel count int the fmod settings. But the count is set to 1024 and I feel this should suffice, especially if like just two characters are just walking around, no?  
Any idea or suggestion where I should look in order to further investigate this issue?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![li\_fmod](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/qa.fmod.com/li_fmod/32/6577_2.png) [@li\_fmod](https://qa.fmod.com/u/li_fmod)\
**Post date:** [August 21, 2025, 6:38am UTC](https://qa.fmod.com/t/random-channelstolen-errors/23246/2 "2025-08-21T06:38:18Z")

</div>

Hi,

Thank you for sharing the version number and code!

> [@btsslawa](#):
>
> But the count is set to 1024 and I feel this should suffice, especially if like just two characters are just walking around, no?  
> Any idea or suggestion where I should look in order to further investigate this issue?

Just to clarify, are these warnings showing up in the editor or in the built game?

Also, could you please double-check your FMOD settings for the [real channel count](https://www.fmod.com/docs/2.02/unity/settings.html#real-channel-count)? While having a **virtual channel count** of 1024 is generous, what actually limits how many sounds can play simultaneously is the **real channel count**.

By default, this is usually **32 or 64** , depending on your target platform.

 ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fmod/original/2X/1/17ba3e1e849fa7eeefbd92bfa5ca86c52ebab48a.png)

If you’re playing lots of short sounds like footsteps and they aren’t released immediately after playing, it’s easy to run out of real voices, even with just a few characters moving around.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![btsslawa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b38774/32.png) [@btsslawa](https://qa.fmod.com/u/btsslawa)\
**Post date:** [August 22, 2025, 8:34am UTC](https://qa.fmod.com/t/random-channelstolen-errors/23246/3 "2025-08-22T08:34:09Z")

</div>

Hey there,

so the errors are showing up in the editor, I didnt test around in build yet to be honest.

As for the Real Channel Count:  
In “Default” it is set to: 32 (in default the virtual channel count is also set to 128 FYI)  
In “Editor” it is set to: 256

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![li\_fmod](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/qa.fmod.com/li_fmod/32/6577_2.png) [@li\_fmod](https://qa.fmod.com/u/li_fmod)\
**Post date:** [August 25, 2025, 11:23pm UTC](https://qa.fmod.com/t/random-channelstolen-errors/23246/4 "2025-08-25T23:23:54Z")

</div>

Thank you for the extra info!

Since I wasn’t able to reproduce the issue on my end, would it be possible for you to capture a [Profiler](https://fmod.com/docs/2.02/studio/profiling.html) session during a moment when the errors occur and upload to your [FMOD profiler](https://www.fmod.com/profile#uploads)?

I also noticed in your code that `EventInstance.release()` is used conditionally. Could you please confirm that one-shot sounds like footsteps are set to use `EventReleaseType.AFTERPLAY` and that they’re not lingering in the registry longer than needed? Holding onto finished instances without releasing them could lead to real voice exhaustion over time.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![btsslawa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b38774/32.png) [@btsslawa](https://qa.fmod.com/u/btsslawa)\
**Post date:** [August 26, 2025, 1:24pm UTC](https://qa.fmod.com/t/random-channelstolen-errors/23246/5 "2025-08-26T13:24:54Z")

</div>

Oh! Maybe this is the issue right there. I just double checked, my characters setup the audio data like this:

```auto
private void Awake()
        {
            currentAnimationState = ScriptableObject.CreateInstance<EntityAnimationState>();
            foreach (KeyValuePair<EntityAnimationState, EntityStateSoundInfo> kvp in entitySoundData.SoundInfo)
            {
                if (!kvp.Value.EventReference.IsNull)
                {
                    GameHandler.AudioRegistry.Register(kvp.Value.EventReference, EventReleaseType.AFTERUNREGISTER, true);
                }
            }
        

```

and this is ALL the audio data, I think I’ll adjust that for each sound seperately, so one shot sounds are released immediately after playing.  
I’ll do that and monitor if the issue is still happening!