Which Audio Device is set to use?
See here

I have tried both the Direct sound and Microsoft sound mappers with no change

What format are the source audio files?
Are audio plug-ins being used? If so so whet.
Is rendering affected (glitches and silent spaces)?

What format are the source audio files?
Are audio plug-ins being used? If so so whet.
Is rendering affected (glitches and silent spaces)?

No plug ins applied. It seems to do the same for wav or mp3. As far as rendering, I have not tried that yet. I should add that sometimes the track plays as sporadic static/glitches sometimes, as opposed to being silent.

I have had that happen with several projects in V20. Does it "click" when you first press play on those tracks/events that aren't working properly?

I could be mistaken (memory isn't as good when sleep-lacking), but I believe it happened after crossing over specific parts of an audio clip... cutting out that spot in the audio track/event would fix it.

I should add that sometimes the track plays as sporadic static/glitches

Do you have Sound Forge Audio Studio installed by any chance?
There is an issue with a 'low latency' driver that SF Audio Studio installs that can cause noise in Vegas and other programs with audio. Static and screeching is an often described symptom. I do not recall dropouts as a symptom though.
(SF Audio Studio is included with many versions of Vegas)

I've been having this issue for years as well. If I remember correctly this happens in Acid and Movie Studio too. File type doesn't seem to matter but I'll start keeping better track of it.

For me it usually seems to happen to the really short clips when I'm adding sound f/x for cartoons. Again if I'm remembering correctly, I think some of those clips also failed to render on export. Most of the time it happens to short clips just a few seconds or less. I don't remember it ever happening when I'm recording music tracks that are usually 1-4 minutes long.

For me it usually corrects after I close and re-open Vegas.

I should add that sometimes the track plays as sporadic static/glitches

Do you have Sound Forge Audio Studio installed by any chance?
There is an issue with a 'low latency' driver that SF Audio Studio installs that can cause noise in Vegas and other programs with audio. Static and screeching is an often described symptom. I do not recall dropouts as a symptom though.
(SF Audio Studio is included with many versions of Vegas)

i do not

What format are the source audio files?
Are audio plug-ins being used? If so so whet.
Is rendering affected (glitches and silent spaces)?

I was just able to check this. When rendering, the audio track that is randomly silent renders as silent. Other tracks still play. So basically as it plays in the editor preview is the same way it renders.

Only solved by rebooting the program. Incredibly annoying

or me it usually corrects after I close and re-open Vegas.

@adam-thacker Next time that happens try changing focus to something else, such as a browser, maybe play a YT video (I don't think you need to) then resume focus on Vegas, that may bring the sound back until it goes away again.

Sometimes as simple as zooming in or out on a timeline

@HeavyMetal I've seen that too, both with waveforms correctly indicating the lack of audio, but also audio muted without waveforms changing.

I'd say at this point it happens almost every time I use the program at least once. Even in the middle of playing on the timeline it will just go silent, and only can be fixed by re-launching the program.

I'd say at this point it happens almost every time I use the program at least once. Even in the middle of playing on the timeline it will just go silent, and only can be fixed by re-launching the program.

Dear Heavy Metal, the same issue is happening to me. its anoying indeed, im really thinking about changin to another video editor. could you please recommend any other one? Vegas is havving several issues to me...

Vegas is having several issues to me...

@Daniel-Herrera ... Yet you've not come on to the forum before to detail those issues and to seek suggestions from fellow Vegas Pro users about how to overcome those issues. Also, we've got no idea about your computer and media. If you are seriously seeking assistance, please provide the information requested in sections B & C in https://www.vegascreativesoftware.info/us/forum/important-information-required-to-help-you--110457/

I should add that sometimes the track plays as sporadic static/glitches

Do you have Sound Forge Audio Studio installed by any chance?
There is an issue with a 'low latency' driver that SF Audio Studio installs that can cause noise in Vegas and other programs with audio. Static and screeching is an often described symptom. I do not recall dropouts as a symptom though.
(SF Audio Studio is included with many versions of Vegas)

i do not

Yes, you do. That driver clearly shows in the screen grab you posted. Uninstall it and report back with your experience.

@mark-y I believe Heavy Metal just copied j-v's screengrab, he didn't post his own.

I should add that sometimes the track plays as sporadic static/glitches

Do you have Sound Forge Audio Studio installed by any chance?
There is an issue with a 'low latency' driver that SF Audio Studio installs that can cause noise in Vegas and other programs with audio. Static and screeching is an often described symptom. I do not recall dropouts as a symptom though.
(SF Audio Studio is included with many versions of Vegas)

i do not

Yes, you do. That driver clearly shows in the screen grab you posted. Uninstall it and report back with your experience.

What screen grab would that be, Mark?

The post by JV you responded to had a screenshot. It clearly wasn't yours so this is a misunderstanding.