Volume icon disappeared from my system tray, and the option is greyed out (won't let me check it) in the taskbar and start menu properties screen /Notification area

Anonymous
2010-04-21T14:17:02+00:00

I don't know how to get my volume icon back - can anyone help?  Thank you!

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Accessibility

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Anonymous
2010-04-21T16:39:22+00:00

Hi,

 If any of the system icons are out, you can re-enable them as follows:

Right click on the taskbar and select properties. This will bring up the "Taskbar and start menu properties" tab. This is where you mentioned it was greyed out. That's fine...  From here you can click on customize button in the icons section. Locate the icon that you are missing and check status. The status type should read "Hide  icon and notifications", change this to "Show icon and notifications".

If this doesn't fix the issue you most likely have an issue with a group policy on your machine. This can be fixed by following the instructions on the following link:

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2009/01/01/fix-network-clock-volume-and-power-battery-system-icons-missing-with-disabled-or-grayed-out-check-box-options/

Hope this helps,

Steve <> Microsoft Partner

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-01-19T02:01:45+00:00

    Thank God for the internet and thank you. How would any average person ever sort this out without help from someone like you. Solved my problem too.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-03-01T19:49:04+00:00

    This was a great answer, and it worked right away for me. Wish I would have searched for the answer when the volume icon first went away. Thanks!

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-03-28T08:08:55+00:00

    Works like a charm.  Thank you.

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-04-22T00:44:59+00:00

    This should help,

    Right click the task bar and then click task manager and then click the processes tab then fine 'EXPLORER.EXE'  then end process then you task bar should disappear after that click on the applications tab and then 'new task...' and type 'EXPLORER.EXE' it should appear 

    good luck :)

    This worked for me too!

    I would also like to add a bit. For anyone with Windows 8.1 (which I have) that has this problem with sound icon disappearing and being grayed out in the properties....when you go to Task Manager, the explorer.exe process says "Windows Explorer" (under Windows processes) and it looks like a folder. All you have to do is right-click it and say "Restart."

    Thank you for bringing this solution to my attention, csiralph!

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