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
    2021-09-03T16:32:46+00:00

    Hi Benedict

    I just wanted to thank you, your advice was point on helpful.

    For Nikolai Filipov and other people who have this problem, perhaps the following might be helpful...

    So, what worked for me was to following the following steps provided by Benedict P.:

    "Please try updating manually the audio driver in Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers > Realtek(R) Audio

    • Locate the said driver in Device Manager
    • Right click on the driver and select "Update Driver".
    • Next select "Browse my computer for drivers"
    • Click on "Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer".
    • Make sure the option "Show compatible hardware" is checked.
    • Select High Definition Audio Device and click Next."

    Then your computer will ask you to restart.

    Restart.

    Once restarted, I right-clicked on the sound icon.

    Clicked on sound settings

    Tested both Audio and Mic and they worked.

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-08-25T20:11:12+00:00

    Lucky its only sound. Here hard drive with all content crashed. with all content needed for make a living. Files include legacy drivers what are not obtainable anymore include version windows 1903 up (dont know where it has ended). Both are not supported. and the remark was to look how other face the problem (hint to download an older window version because support cant hand out.} atm working with windows version 7.1 and cant do anything. Indeed can download a iso but wont get mine mboard and gpu working with it. (drivers 2006 are handed on stuff from 2018) Like put wooden wheels under a tesla. If 21h1 doesnt support your system (instead of your system doesnt support windows) try roll back and if drivers gone seek at vendors online. Goodluck

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-08-18T01:16:13+00:00

    this worked for me Thank-you

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  4. 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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  5. 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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