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

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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

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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.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-04-20T14:21:51+00:00

    Check Device Manager for hardware that needs driver updates. Look under Sound, Video, Games for your sound hardware and update the drivers if needed. Check your computer maker's support site for downloads for 8.1 for your specific model and correct sound card. 

    Do NOT fix the Registry! Never use a win 7 fix for win 8.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-04-20T14:57:37+00:00

    Thanks, I used to check for updates periodically but haven't lately. Unfortunately, nothing new...

    Yes the registry isn't something I'd casually meddle with!

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-04-29T20:19:14+00:00

    Hi Elias,

    Thank you for replying with the status of the issue.

    As mlg63 suggested, I would also suggest you to check the status of the sound card in Device Manager. If it requires you to install a audio drivers, then you will have to download the audio drivers from the computer manufacturer's website and then try installing it on your computer and check if it fixes the issue or not.

    Also reply with the following   information so that we could assist you further.

    1. What is the make and model number of the computer?
    2. Do you get any error code or error message while startup?
    3. Have you made any changes to the computer prior to this issue?

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

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