Volume Icon in system tray won't open after installing latest Windows10 updates

It's simple.

Open Task Manager and scroll to the bottom.

Right click Windows Explorer and then Restart.

Problem solved.

It worked for me, but I suspect it won't be persistent.

Worked for me, too, but if past experience is any indication, it won't be permanent; but I like it because it's easy.

And if we're talking about grammar, I'd also like to use this reply to express my amazement over the extensive irrelevancy found particularly in Microsoft forums, especially by MICROSOFT replies. To wit: How many times does the poor guy have to say his sound is working fine - the ICON doesn't work?!?!?!?! Do Microsoft employees have only a marginal grasp of the English language? Don't get me wrong - anyone who knows more than one language is doing better than me, but if you're trying to be a forum moderator, then you better think it through a few times, if necessary, before posting.

Sorry for the rant - I see all of this entirely too much on Microsoft forums. It's bad enough when the general public makes such posts, but when the tagline on the poster says Microsoft, I expect more. 

In the way of something a bit more contributory - you can also make an icon from sndvol.exe and stick it on the taskbar - that works consistently, even if it doesn't actually solve the problem.

AMEN!!!

and when you post a problem and give your OS etc., they come back and ask what ver. of windows you are running and questions you have already supplied the answers to in original post.

Having worked with tech support people at a now defunct website hosting company, I know how some of this works: tier 1 people go by a script and just ask the questions no matter what you've told them

tier 2 is a little better without as rigid a script

tier 3 will actually read and respond to what you've said

By George, it worked. Sir Jim, you are a genius!!!

Thank you.