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
    2009-07-08T20:18:52+00:00

    Please READ BOTH solutions I posted in the TWO messages above. Do the Services Check in first.

    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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  2. Anonymous
    2009-07-08T20:11:47+00:00

    Another Solution : Control Panel - Device Manager - SOUNDS - look for HD Audio Mine says RealTek High Definition Audio

    Yours could be by Symtel or other makers. DELETE it - OK out and reboot. Windows will re-install the driver you have.

    NOW go back into to Device Manager - SOUND Write down description -

    then DOUBLE CLICK on it DRIVER TAB - write down Maker's Name - Driver Version and Date.

    Go to maker's site and look for latest driver.

    DO NOT run the look update drivers in device manager, this always finds old ones as MS is way behind certifying drivers.

    Mine is :

    Realtek High Definition Audio     (Yours could be one of several companies)

    Realtek Semiconductor Corp.

    6/16/2009

    6.0.1.5874

    SOME may have an AC97 driver instead, same procedure. If you need help finding your new drivers post that info here :

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  3. Anonymous
    2009-07-08T19:53:59+00:00

    Post your maker - model of computer

    IF available Control Panel - Device Manager - SOUND category  if there give Description of Device(s) listed along with Driver Dates and Versions.

    As example :

    Dell - ZX100

    Symtel HD Audio   ZPS1211  12-25-2006

    Also try this - Start Tab - in search box type - Services - CLICK on Services at top -

    then Windows Audio  - double click - START and AUTOMATIC

    Windows Audio EndpointBuilder - double click - START and AUTOMATIC

    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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  4. Anonymous
    2009-07-08T19:41:04+00:00

    I've got a Dell - so it's not just HP.

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