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
    2021-06-09T15:13:42+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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  2. 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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  3. Anonymous
    2021-06-08T18:17:52+00:00

    Hello Nikolai

    I have the same problem as you and i hope i can help you and some others with this temp solution i found

    What happens :

    Device will ask for reboot and will says failed to update the windows and rolling back the update. and when user logins in to laptop Sound is missing.

    Tried:

    BIOS update to 10.1.1, Audio update . Re-installed Audio and created another windows login account and same issue with that too. Uninstalled the May-21 Windows update and still same issue.

    TEMP fix:

    1. Remove the USB headset from the Laptop and wait for 30 sec and connect back to laptop.
    2. Right Click on the Sound icon (bottom right corner) and select OPEN SOUND SETTINGS
    3. Then go to right side of the panel and click on “ EASE OF ACCESS AUDIO SETTINGS “
    4. Then go to right side of the panel and click on “ SOUND SETTINGS “
    5. Now you should be able to see the Audio device is now detected
    6. Slide the Nob to test the sound and it should work.

    Note: im still looking for the correct solution, but at least this help me to move on regardless the problem is still on, if you restart your pc, it will fail again.

    Good luck. I hope this can help you.

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  5. Anonymous
    2021-06-08T02:21:04+00:00

    Hi,
    I have the exact same issue on my HP Zbook 15u G4. I posting this to make sure no says Nikolai's issue is an isolated one.

    I booted the notebook with a Linux USB, the sound works perfectly. After looking at all sorts of solutions and having HP guys looking at my machine, I must say that I have other things to do than making a fresh installation.

    Deep inside me, I suspect that whichever hardware we are using, the audio that comes with it has no proper driver for 21H1 version of Windows. what else can could it be?

    Here is the link to my post on HP support website.

    I am looking forward to a solution for this mess.

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