Speaker icon has a Red X on it, "no audio output device is installed".

Anonymous
2009-03-15T21:20:24+00:00

original title: No audio output device is installed.

I have done nothing different to my computer but noticed yesterday that the speaker icon in the system tray has a red and white "X" over it and says that "no audio output device is installed." I have Windows Vista. When I go to my control panel and click on "Sounds and Hardwar," and again click on "Sound," it tells me that "No audio devices are installed." Yesterday I went to --> All programs --> Accesories --> System Tools --> System Restore and I did a system restore that way. After my computer re-started, the audio problem was solved but somehow my anti-virus protection was no longer installed. I fixed this with the McAfee support online chat and the audio was also working all day yesterday. However, today, it again says that "no audio output device is installed," and I do not want to restore my system again and have to deal with the anti-virus software going haywire again. Is there another way to fix this? Please help me. I have looked this up on other support sites and have found the answers too technical for me to understand. I have a one-year-old Toshiba Satellite M205 with an Intel Centrino processer and Vista with Service Pack 1 installed although I don't know if that is important information or not. My computer has a sticker on it that says "Dolby Sound Room," whatever that means. Thanks in advance!

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Music, photos, and video

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Anonymous
2009-03-16T13:45:31+00:00

Hi m_kelsey,

It sounds like you might have an audio driver that isn’t working properly, please do the following:

1.       Click Start

2.       In ‘Start Search’ type Device Manager, press Enter (provide administrative credentials if prompted)

3.       Click the “+” next to Sound, video and game controllers to drop down the menu

4.       Check the status of any device listed in that category by right-clicking that device, clicking Properties, and then under the General tab check what it says under “Device status”. Let us know what the status was.

5.       Then check all the devices (especially any that had a problem under “Device status”) listed in this category for updated drivers by right-clicking that device and then clicking Update Driver Software… (this step may take a moment so be patient). 

Get back to us with your results so that we can further assist you if need be. We look forward to hearing back from you.

Brian

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

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  1. Anonymous
    2009-07-09T11:46:59+00:00

    Tthanks for the info, I finally found the correct driver ( COEXANT HIGH DEFINITION AUDIO  FROM HP) and manuallly intalled it ,the audio device is presention with all the controls but still hear nothing , it is not muted, but see the audio meters moving what am I missing ?

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  2. Anonymous
    2009-07-09T19:56:58+00:00

    Now that you have the right driver there are probably more options in the locations listed above.

    Right Click Speaker Icon

    Control Panel - Sounds

    Control Panel - look for any Audio Managers or similar Icons

    Device Manager - Sounds - some drivers have settings here though its rare these days.

    Also double check your programs as there might be functions that work a little different now that you have the right driver.

    BTW also Check CONEXANT for an even newer driver.

    Rob - Supporting Member, Cascade Bicycle Club P.O. Box 15165 Seattle, WA. 98115-0165 206-522-3222 and 24 hr hotline 206-522-BIKE http://www.cascade.org

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  3. Anonymous
    2009-07-30T01:41:08+00:00

    I have tried everyone of these solutions nothing has worked. As far as going to the device manager it shows no sound gaming devices. I have researched this problem for 5 days now and discovered it is widespread and nothing is being done to help the many users who have this problem.

    y next step will be contact a lawyer and my states attorney generals office. This is inexcusable behaviour but typical of a large corporation that could care less about their customers once they have our cash in their pockets.

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  4. Anonymous
    2009-09-02T01:35:01+00:00

    Same as most but I let my daughter take laptop and ex wife deleted speakers/ headphones. all checks suggested were ok. I just need to get them back    any ideas

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