Barney,

Try shutting down all the other software that uses the sound card. If it then works that is the problem. Finale does not like to share the sound card.

If you are on Windows there's a setting you need to change that allows or stops allowing software to take exclusive control of the sound card. You need to change that.

If you are on Mac you need to ask Mike H. He checks here pretty often so perhaps he will see this.

We definitely need more information including any plug-ins that you are running.

https://makemusic.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/215729367-General-Discussion-House-Rules

I am using Windows 10 and I use loopMIDI. I have the Garritien VST loaded as well but do not use them much.

I use Ableton Live a lot and when it is engaged it prevents Finale from using the audio engine, and it also fails to load the audio engine upon startup. Even when Ableton is not in use Finale still cannot open the audio engine. Error code 7

I have also noticed that although my midi keyboard is recognized as an input device Speedy Entry only puts in rests and no pitches. I am not really good with the backend stuff, so any help is welcome

loopMIDI installs two drivers.

https://www.tobias-erichsen.de/software/loopmidi.html

Finale supports DirectSound, WASAPI, or ASIO

Here is the MIDI setup page

https://usermanuals.finalemusic.com/FinaleWin/Content/Finale/Installation4.htm?Highlight=MIDI%2Bdriver 

Barney I use Ableton Live. I have a Roland A49 midi controller. I  have Finale 27.3 and I am on Windows 11.

I don't use Ableton when Finale is running. My A49 and Finale work just fine together. A49 and Ableton Live work fine together.

When you open an app that uses audio, even such as your internet browser, or a media player, it takes control of your audio playback device. This means that if you launch another app that requires the use of your audio driver, it likely will not play back.  You are running into the issue of no audio playing back in your DAW and/or Finale you need to check and see if Exclusive Mode is enabled or not. This is Widows 11. Windows 10 screens may be slightly different.