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
    2016-04-02T19:27:21+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

    TY so much for these instructions. I tried all kinds of solutions in my W 10 laptop and this is the only one that worked!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2016-02-26T21:47:37+00:00

    If you were you, and get a computer with Windows 7 installed.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2016-02-26T21:28:15+00:00

    Mine reappeared but does not function - I click on it to adjust volume but it won't open.  It's these pesky little problems that seem to be related to updates, that are so annoying and time consuming to troubleshoot.  I'm wondering if Mac computers experience the same malfunctions.  I'm in the market now for a new laptop and I'm seriously considering an alternative.  I'd love to hear feedback from those who have used Macs.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments