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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-06-23T20:10:41+00:00

    I have a super gaming system and had the same problem and followed several steps that did not work.  I solved my issue with my sound by cutting off my speakers to my desktop.  But first I restored my W10 computer to an earlier time before the 21H1 update.  Installed update cut speakers back on and POW!!!  I have sound again with update installed.

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-06-19T16:55:24+00:00

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-06-19T16:53:16+00:00

    Looks like that update only applies to Windows 10 v1803 and below on their Update Catalog site... which is weird...

    https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB4023057

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-06-19T16:43:06+00:00

    Hello,

    My computer solved itself alone... when going on it with RDP (it's a remote computer), the sound icon (taskbar bottom right) is back normal.

    Did not do anything. So checking if there was any update installing automatically and I see this one:
    KB4023057: Update for Windows 10 Update Service components (microsoft.com) https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/kb4023057-update-for-windows-10-update-service-components-fccad0ca-dc10-2e46-9ed1-7e392450fb3a This patch is installed after each major update in my history (updated of course, MS reuse the KB number).

    Maybe you can check for Updates

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  5. Anonymous
    2021-06-19T16:28:32+00:00

    This issue is not only limited to the "AMD Radeon HDMI" you seem to be experiencing. The "issue" you are experiencing is the same exact one that I am experiencing, but the "cause" seems to be different. Both related, but potentially different "causes" so I don't think it's fair to call that message spam or useless... if there was an update to the Realtek drivers, my issue may be resolved, whereas your exact issue may not be.

    Bottom line, everyone's just trying to help everyone here, if you can't take advice from the community without being rude on a public forum, then maybe just stop responding in that manner?

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