Volume taskbar icon vanished / greyed-out in Control Panel

Anonymous
2014-04-20T14:08:38+00:00

Hi,

Since installing the latest major 8.1 update, my Volume Notification Area icon has disappeared. (It returned briefly but the default seems for it to inexplicably go away again to not return).

It still shows up as active when I go to Control Panel > All Control Panel Items > Notification Area Icons

But toggling this a bubble appears saying "This notification icon is not currently active"

Going then into "Turn system icons on or off", the Volume System Icon is turned off, and greyed-out for access.

Why would this happen?

I see old threads for this happening in Win7, and I'm wary of downloading a registry fix in case my 8.1 computer blows up.

Thanks

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Accessibility

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2015-02-19T14:07:54+00:00
  1. Hit Ctrl-Alt-Delete and open Task Manager
  2. Click on DETAILS tab
  3. Find explorer.exe, right-click, and click on END TASK
  4. On the top Menu Bar, click on FILE, RUN NEW TASK
  5. Enter explorer.exe in the task entry box and click on OK
  6. On the top Menu Bar, click on VIEW and REFRESH NOW
  7. Volume icon should reappear after refresh

Was this answer helpful?

50+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2014-05-06T16:56:20+00:00

I checked and my drivers are up to date.

The problem actually fixed itself as suddenly as it started... no idea what that was about.

Was this answer helpful?

1 person found this answer helpful.
0 comments

70 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2014-11-28T16:46:28+00:00

    Hi John,

    Thank you for posting your query here in Microsoft Community. I would also like to thank you for providing the detailed information about this issue and we appreciate it.

    I suggest you to try reinstalling the Audio drivers and check if it helps. Normally this should work if the drivers folder is corrupted. This has helped most of the Community Members facing the same issue.

    Please feel free to visit our website for any help with Windows Operating System.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2014-11-15T14:45:28+00:00

    Hi, Basith.

    I'm having almost the same problem as Elias. My Volume Control icon doesn't go gray... but it DOES keep disappearing from the Win 8.1 tray. I went to the Control Panel section for configuring the notification tray. At first I tried selecting the setting for every icon until I had it the way I wanted, but it didn't stay that way. In a few days the volume icon had once again been banished to the little purgatory area you have to click the little arrow to see.

    Next, I clicked the box for "Always show all icons and notifications on the taskbar." That worked for a few weeks, but today I find the only icon tossed out of the lineup is Volume Control - the one I use most by far! And when I clicked that box on the configuration dialog box, the little arrow disappeared, which makes sense.  But it means I don't have even THAT shortcut available.

    I'd like to know how to get it back, but really more importantly I'd like to know WHY it won't just stay there in the first place.

    I'm using a brand new ASUS R510L with Windows 8.1. I keep it powered on most of the day and generally put it to sleep instead of powering down. Except when I'm installing/uninstalling/monkeying with any drivers or other miscellaneous bits. Then it gets a fresh boot.

    I hope I've provided enough information to explain the problem...

    Thanks for all your assistance in these threads; it's much appreciated.

    John A

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2014-11-15T14:01:27+00:00

    Hi Elias,

    First of all, I would like to apologize for the delay in responding.

    In this scenario, I suggest you to try re-installing the sound card drivers from the computer manufacturer's website and check if the issue persists. This is to check if the issue is caused due to any corruption in the sound card driver.

    Step 1: Uninstall the sound card driver.

    Follow the steps to update the audio drivers:

    1. Press Windows + X key and click Device Manager.
    2. Expand the Sound, Video and game controllers.
    3. Right-click on the Sound card and click on Uninstall.
    4. Restart the computer and check.

    Step 2: Download the latest driver from the computer/hardware manufacturer's website and then try installing it.

    Please reply with the status of the issue so that we can help you fix the issue.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments