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
    2021-07-20T13:34:07+00:00

    I agree with you, it is stupid. Better wait for the Windows update or the fix by the guy who first replied to your question while I am having the sound. Till then. best of luck !

    I have sound too, doing my manual steps every day.

    Your semi-automated way does NOT significantly change the amount of time or number of clicks needed, and is thus utterly useless.

    Suggest you put it where the sun don't shine! And suggest something only if it is a permanent, and/or fully automatic solution, not such a half-baked, semi-automated "improvement". OKay??

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-07-20T14:07:13+00:00

    Calm down....

    Of course this is not a real solution but for me opening the ease of access audio settings via bat script on login is enough.

    No further clicks needed to get sound and therefore fully automatic.

    Still hoping for a fix soon.

    Maybe someone with contacts to MS can try to get some infos? Ping them on twitter or whatever to increase attention to this issue?

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-07-21T00:17:40+00:00

    Absolutely !

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-07-21T17:37:33+00:00

    Hey Guys,

    YEAH! it's a f&&&k up **** when it happens in a Enterprise. I got 5 machines now and with nothing else to do, I attempted a Windows Reset just on on machine. Although resolved, but I'm not sure if it's gonna break again!!!

    It costed me a whole 2 days to setup the complete environment just on one laptop.

    So NO!! WINDOWS RESET IS NOT AN OPTION!!

    We're on Dell Latitude 54xx series & array of Windows versions. Mostly over and above 2004.

    Now someone suggested to on this Lost all audio after May, 2021 Windows 10 update!!!! - Microsoft Community to check which account is being used by the Windows Audio Service. It must be a "Local Service". It seemed it simply removes the X on the volume icon but no sound. ****??

    I have no option but to test this out.

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  5. Anonymous
    2021-07-21T21:28:14+00:00

    Finally fixed!?

    Guys check out the registry fix pointed out by @Todd LaRiviere over here!

    I posted a PowerShell script based on that there as well :)

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