Audio Playback issue

Audio Playback Issue Description:
When I play video clips in the Premiere Pro timeline, the audio will begin playing normally but then cuts out after approximately 2–3 seconds. The video continues to play without interruption, but the audio stops completely. Additionally, the audio meters in Premiere stop moving once the audio cuts out.

Important Context:

• System audio works normally in all other applications (YouTube, system sounds, etc.).

• The issue only occurs within Premiere Pro.

• The problem happens consistently with imported video clips.

Troubleshooting Steps Already Attempted:

• Reset Premiere Pro preferences.

• Cleared media cache files.

• Reset plugin loading cache.

• Temporarily disabled third-party plugins.

• Verified that the correct audio output device is selected in Premiere.

• Restarted Windows audio services.

• Tested disabling Mercury Transmit in Playback settings.

• Converted the source footage audio to PCM using Shutter Encoder and re-imported the files.

• Confirmed that Windows audio functions normally outside of Premiere.

• Tested different audio device selections in Premiere preferences.

Despite these steps, the issue persists: audio begins playing normally for a few seconds and then stops while the video continues.

I am extreamly frustraed, please help.