Lost all audio after May, 2021 Windows 10 update!!!!

Anonymous
2021-05-17T06:50:28+00:00

At some point, after the May update I lost all PC audio! I've done all the 'no sound' troubleshooting suggestions from Microsoft and everywhere else. I reinstalled all audio drivers, you name it. I even shut down my MSI onboard HD audio in bios and purchased a

Soundblaster Audigy RX sound card, No dice. bought Driver Booster Pro and updated them drivers. Wasted cash!

It's as if the sound just can't get to my output jacks. Foobar doesn't work, NO audio!! You can see the level meters pulse when you test the sound devices. When I unplug the connectors going to my preamp, they pop and buzz so I know the cables to the analog stuff are hot.

I NEED HELP AND I NEED IT FAST!! I'm starting to TWITCH!! I believe it's Microsoft's doing.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-07-21T21:22:46+00:00

    I can't believe it but this actually fixed the problem.

    How did you find out about that specific key?

    Here is a PowerShell script to first backup everything under WinStations and then copy the value from DefaultSecurity to ConsoleSecurity.

    I did not include a check if the current value of ConsoleSecurity is empty / shows as Zero-Length Binary Value so it is probably a good idea to verify this first.

    Copy everything, save it as fixAudio.ps1 and call it as admin with PowerShell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\fixAudio.ps1

    (-ExecutionPolicy Bypass is just needed so you can execute local scripts no matter what policy currently is configured on your system, more info at MS docs)

    Use at your own risk ;)

    Audio should work after reboot.

    REG EXPORT "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\WinStations" WinStations_backup.reg

    $WinStationsPath="HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\WinStations"

    $value = Get-ItemProperty -Path $WinStationsPath -Name DefaultSecurity

    Set-ItemProperty -Path $WinStationsPath -Name ConsoleSecurity -Value $value.DefaultSecurity

    Alternatively, you can of course use regedit to do this manually!

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-07-21T22:23:36+00:00

    I checked 2 laptops (work and personal) and ConsoleSecurity has a different value to DefaultSecurity (same on both though) so copied that over in an exported reg file (removed all but ConsoleSecurity to import) and guess what... volume icon instead of a red cross and I actually have sound! Thank you for working this out! So great to have my sound back.

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-07-22T00:13:04+00:00

    Many thanks Todd! Copied across the value from a working Windows install (pre-update) and now the audio works from start up again.

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-07-22T10:22:51+00:00

    Hi FinderAUT,

    One thing that leaves me puzzled though, is that why is it that the users who re-installed Windows were sill having the problem (unless if I understood wrongly)? That's what I thought I read. In my understanding the registry would be replaced as well...

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  5. Anonymous
    2021-07-22T10:52:22+00:00

    Hi all,

    It works ... it also unlocked the Fn+Esc keys on my HP notebook that didn't work (to open the HP System Information dialog box).

    Thanks all !

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