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
    2021-08-18T01:16:13+00:00

    this worked for me Thank-you

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-08-16T07:53:56+00:00

    Hello everyone,

    I bulit a fix, that is working, because there won't come any fix by MS in the futre, I think.

    The only thing you have to do is to make a .bat-file with this conten:

    NET STOP AudiosrvNET START AudiosrvSTART ms-settings:soundSTART ms-settings:easeofaccess-audiotaskkill /IM SystemSettings.exe /F

    After that, convert this .bat to a .exe file. There are several free tools for that in the internet (google fot "bat to exe converter").

    From the generated .exe, you create a shortcut on desktop (https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000739.htm).

    Then you have to copy this shortcut to the startup folder:

    Press windows button -> tipp "run"

    command: shell:startup

    The startup folder is opnened. Copy the shortcut to this folder.

    Now, the sound should be working after restart automatically.

    Best regards

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-08-15T20:13:41+00:00

    Im having the same problem, when i try to update drivers it says there was an error and the troubleshooter does nothing, if you get an answer please contact me about it because i cant find a solution

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  5. Anonymous
    2021-07-30T11:25:50+00:00

    The registry fix didnt work for me =/

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