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
    2021-07-10T15:21:16+00:00

    This solution does NOT work.

    Works for me!

    I turn off my PC every night, as I sleep in the same room. Then in the morning I turn it on, it has NO sounds whatsoever, so I do the Ease of access "shaman dance" fix, with a small silent prayer to the Windows OS Gods, and audio -- both output, as well as input - then works, 100% surely and repeatably.

    So, not a fluke fix but a stable one, at least for me.

    What other solution did you find that seems to work for you, please? OR did you not ever get any working fix at all?

    Are you sure your issue is the same as mine and the one of some others here in this thread?

    Your issue may be another, in which case your comments here are NOT appreciated - start your own thread, if so, and get your own help that applies to your issue.

    Please note the restarting of Windows Audio service is only needed if you turn on your PC, but then step away from it for some minutes.

    If you do not step away and do the Ease of access thing at once when boot-up finishes, then the Services tinkering is not needed.

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-07-10T16:19:32+00:00

    I did start my own thread, and is this not just a workaround / temporary "fix" anyway? After each reboot you will need to go through the Ease of Access Audio settings again...

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-07-10T18:44:37+00:00

    After last update from Microsoft I no longer have any problem.

    For older pc with still this issue I suggest to workaround to this issue with this (or similar) easyfix: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B08LNHKCBH/ref=cm\_sw\_em\_r\_mt\_dp\_33EEFGN0BQHFPQRB469F?\_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

    Dibale the old audio and use usb audio instead: with 6€ you can solve the problem. Do not spoil your time.

    Michele

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-07-11T10:30:44+00:00

    This sounds like a good idea. I am going to try it.

    However, I think that the update might have warned that this might become necessary.

    John

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  5. Anonymous
    2021-07-12T09:05:32+00:00

    This sounds like a good idea. I am going to try it.

    However, I think that the update might have warned that this might become necessary.

    John

    That is a horrible idea! It does not matter if audio card is motherboard-internal, GPU internal (HDMI/DisplayPort Audio), OR is a USB add-on card.

    All of those won't work when issue manifests itself, so not a good idea to even try this.

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