Audio not working, restart system will correct it

[beezerhale]

Pi Model or other hardware: 3B+
RetroPie Version Used - 4.4
Retroarch 1.7.1
ES v2.7.5rp
Built From: Retropie from the retropie site
Power Supply used: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L88M8TE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
USB Devices connected: joystick and 6 button (Gamelec 2 player setup)

Here's the issue: every so often the audio will not work at all. No sound on video previews or in game. A restart normally corrects it. I've read issues others have had, but most foxes seem to be for issues of no audio at all. I can get audio, just need to restart. Any ideas on what I need to do?
I have the Pi connected to the tv via hdmi, but have the audio coming from external speakers which are connected to using a Digital to Analog Audio Converter with Digital Optical Toslink and S/pdif Coaxial Inputs and Analog RCA and AUX 3.5mm (Headphone) Outputs - found here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NJCCAKY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
and yes, I swapped the hdmi cable to make sure that wasn't the issue.
Thank you for any help!

[edmaul69]

@beezerhale in the retropie menu in audio settings did you try changing the audio from auto to hdmi? Also in the /boot/config.txt did you remove the # in front of the line

#hdmi_drive=2

To make it

hdmi_drive=2

[beezerhale]

I did change it to hdmi and then I only get audio from the tv, not the external speakers. I need it from the external speakers.

I will try changing the txt and report back here. Would that be needed considering the audio is going through the optical adapter and not the hdmi? Thank you!

[mitu]

@beezerhale Use the Audio menu in RetroPie and switch the output to the 3.5'' jack instead of HDMI or Auto.

[beezerhale]

@mitu Thank you. I sorted it. I changed the TV itself to "external speaker" only and the Pi to hdmi. It seems to work fine now. I get no audio at all when I choose "3.5" or "auto".