Problem with Windows 10 ver. 21H1 -- all audio input/output devices missing in Sound settings, red X on volume icon

Anonymous
2021-05-19T09:59:57+00:00

For 2-3 days, I am getting no sound at all from my several audio devices/Windows computer here - I have TWO monitors with HDMI audio, plus headphones jack connected to motherboard audio card. I was able to fix it one time by doing lots of tinkering in Device Manager, but I am unable to replicate the fix a 2nd time.

So, asking here.

System is a desktop PC, running an Intel Core i3 Haswell CPU (2 cores, 4 threads), 16 GB of DDR3 RAM, on a ASUS H81M2 motherboard, GPU is AMD Radeon R9 390 (8 GB). Audio card is the built-in Realtek. 1 Crucial SSD, plus 2 HDDs -- WD and Seagate. Logitech Full HD webcam , Logitech wireless mouse, wired Razer keyboard.

The volume icon in lower right (Notification area) shows with a red X. In Settings of Windows 10 OS, Sounds, NO input or output devices show at all.

No sounds possible in any software, i.e. browser, actual OS does not make the Start Windows sound like it used to/etc.

Also, no recording or voice chat possible with my Logitech webcam (which has a stereo microphone), so no Skype, Viber/etc voice calls.

In Device Manager, nothing shows wrong - all audio, system devices appear to be working fine. In AMD Radeon GPU settings, nothing wrong shows either.

I tried the Windows 10 Sound Troubleshooter, but it unfortunately says it cannot identify the issue.

What can I do to fix this?

(Please do not suggest a reinstall Windows OS or Reset OS, I cannot do those.)

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-06-13T22:09:43+00:00

    I should add that along with this audio issue, after the BSOD on the first attempted (and failed) update, it actually had changed my login screen to require CTRL+ALT+DELETE, and it also enabled the Administrator account (login was never attempted based on 'net user' info.

    The same happened for me but I thought this was caused by SFC repair after the bluescreen.
    I disabled the admin account again but kept the ctrl+alt+delete login screen behavior.

    Today I noticed an out-of-band update and hoped for some fixes but this was just for some Xbox game pass issues :(

    Let's hope the best for Patch Tuesday!

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-06-12T00:14:07+00:00

    Not a good situation. I hope we don't have to do this little exercise every day until the Judgement Day...

    Waiting for the FIX

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-06-11T23:26:46+00:00

    This works, this so stupid... Thanks.

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-06-09T15:13:42+00:00

    Jose,

    I am curious.

    1. When you disconnect the headset from your computer,do you get a message indicating that? When you reconnect the headset, do you get a message indicating that and asking you if this is the sound device you want to use? I sometimes switch between my normal external speakers and a headset. Whenever I disconnect/connect one or the other, I receive messages indicating this action. There is an option to not show that message any more so you might not see it if you have chosen that.
    2. If you bring up the "Sound Control Panel" from the link on the "Settings" > "System" > "Sound" window, does it list both your headset and your normal computer output sound device even if the headset is not connected? If you have the headset plugged in, can you set it as the default device in the "Sound Control Panel" dialog?

    JohnD

    Hi JohnD

    No, i dont get any message when i remove my sounds devices, at first i cant even see my internal devices (Cause this happen to me in my Laptop Lenovo L560), but i show you what i mean.

    As you can see, i have my devices detected in my device manager, but no eligible as input/output. At this point, what i have to do is click OPEN SOUND SETTINGS, then SOUND SETTINGS and once you do this, you will se the same Sound Settings Screen but with your devices eligibles.

    At this point, 1/2 of the problem is fix because the sound icon is still with red icon, once you run troubleshooting tool, now you can hear with any device, at this point the problem is Temp fixed and any other device you plug will work just fine.

    I hope this can clarify your concents

    Greetings

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  5. Anonymous
    2021-06-09T12:35:35+00:00

    Jose,

    I am curious.

    1. When you disconnect the headset from your computer,do you get a message indicating that? When you reconnect the headset, do you get a message indicating that and asking you if this is the sound device you want to use? I sometimes switch between my normal external speakers and a headset. Whenever I disconnect/connect one or the other, I receive messages indicating this action. There is an option to not show that message any more so you might not see it if you have chosen that.
    2. If you bring up the "Sound Control Panel" from the link on the "Settings" > "System" > "Sound" window, does it list both your headset and your normal computer output sound device even if the headset is not connected? If you have the headset plugged in, can you set it as the default device in the "Sound Control Panel" dialog?

    JohnD

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