I'm having this same problem RIGHT now and need help. Express Scribe will ONLY play when I'm actively in the program, even if I do the above steps, when I'm in Word to type, it still won't play- it won't play using a foot pedal OR hot keys OR the integrated media keys on the keyboard. This has only been a problem with the new laptop I'm using- it has worked without issue for the last 14 years on many other machines. I'm incredibly frustrated and CANNOT work without a resolution.