Problem with Windows 10 ver. 21H1 -- all audio input/output devices missing in Sound settings, red X on volume icon

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

this worked for me Thank-you

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

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.

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.

NOT the correct fix for this issue I & others had!

Stop with this spreading of misinformation -- it is not only useless, but also irrelevant.

If you have any other issue which your steps fixed, post another thread, please - do not spam this one.

The correct fix was the Windows Registry editing one -- nothing else works, OR can work.

Thank you!