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

Anonymous
2017-08-13T13:51:04+00:00

since I installed the latest updates to windows 10, the volume icon in system tray no longer works.

The icon IS there in the system tray

hovering over the icon shows the volume level

HOWEVER, when I left click OR right click on the icon, NOTHING happens---it will not open so that I can adjust the volume level

Why do the Windows10 updates do more harm than good?

I routinely keep sound levels low until I want to listen to something---now 1 PC (Win10 home) is stuck on volume 20% and laptop ( Win10 Pro) stuck on volume 63%

How can I fix this?

THANKS

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Moved from: Windows / Windows 10 / Performance & system failures / PC

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Settings

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Anonymous
2017-08-26T02:05:03+00:00

It's simple.

Open Task Manager and scroll to the bottom.

Right click Windows Explorer and then Restart.

Problem solved.

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-01-02T14:34:28+00:00

    Thank you for this solution! My icon was there, just didn't function. When I restarted windows explorer, the function came back.

    I hate that I will have to always regain control of my volume in this way. My workaround was to add sndvol.exe shortcut to my taskbar to adjust my volume.

    I hope that one day (Right Now Would Be Nice!) that Microsoft will fix this issue!

    Thank you.

    That's what I did, too. Since then, though, the problem seems to have "gone away," either because of updates or other reasons. Since yours is a recent post, I'm assuming you let things update normally, and you're still having the problem. I hope you wind up with the same luck I had, and it self-repairs. (I really HATE saying things like this - it goes against everything I do!) Happy New Year!

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-01-04T17:34:24+00:00

    My issue is a little different with the volume icon and started with a recent Windows 10 update on my laptop.  Volume icon is in taskbar.  When I click on it,  nothing works and my computer freezes.  I have to do a hard shut down and reboot.  I can use the volume keys on the keyboard and on the side of the laptop to adjust volume but not using the icon.  The icon doesn't even display the volume level.  Sometimes I need to mute the volume, and I used to click on the volume icon and click on speaker icon to mute and unmute.  Anyone have an issue and/or resolution with the volume icon freezing your computer?

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-01-04T18:39:22+00:00

    My issue is a little different with the volume icon and started with a recent Windows 10 update on my laptop.  Volume icon is in taskbar.  When I click on it,  nothing works and my computer freezes.  I have to do a hard shut down and reboot.  I can use the volume keys on the keyboard and on the side of the laptop to adjust volume but not using the icon.  The icon doesn't even display the volume level.  Sometimes I need to mute the volume, and I used to click on the volume icon and click on speaker icon to mute and unmute.  Anyone have an issue and/or resolution with the volume icon freezing your computer?

    Everything locks up when you click anything in the taskbar?!

    Why izzit that instead of getting better, these things tend to get more obnoxious, and the problems weirder?

    Clearly, your only option is you must punt.

    But, seriously, PLEASE tell me your system restore is on and you have a viable restore point.

    I think that's what you gotta do. Did you try restarting explorer?

    Good luck with that - that's all that comes to my mind; hopefully, someone more knowledgeable will come up with a better solution, but a system restore should do it, at any rate.

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-01-04T21:59:30+00:00

    On my Lenovo, I disabled the following startup items:

    Conexant High Definition Audio Filter Agent

    FMAPP Application

    SmartAudio CPL (32bit)

    On my Dell, I disabled the Dell Audio stuff.

    Reboot your system after making the changes.

    My audio icon in the systray is again functioning.

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