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
    2021-05-22T13:29:44+00:00

    Yes, just after the Sound was blocked again as you mentioned.

    I could make it work a few minutes and after a reboot or other change... again No output device found.

    Like you all drivers are fine (updated a few ones) but impossible to find why the in-between link like you say is blocking.

    Troubleshooter is not helping and no solution yet

    Thanks so much for the reply & chiming in!

    Maybe we should contact Microsoft and/or our mobo manufacturer(s) about this?

    I will try to contact ASUS and see if they can suggest something useful.

    We cannot be the only 2 people in the world with such an issue. :) 

    You are so right.  Your description perfectly matched my experience.

    Have spent hours on phone with MS to no avail...they ruined my laptop!

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-05-22T14:21:43+00:00

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-05-23T09:58:54+00:00

    Yes, just after the Sound was blocked again as you mentioned.

    I could make it work a few minutes and after a reboot or other change... again No output device found.

    Like you all drivers are fine (updated a few ones) but impossible to find why the in-between link like you say is blocking.

    Troubleshooter is not helping and no solution yet

    @Richard S4 -- could you please tell me how you could make the audio work again?

    I know it won't survive a restart of Windows/the PC or doing a power off/on, but I am willing to try to not shutdown my PC every evening (as I usually do every day), and try to Hibernate it to SSD for a few days. 

    IF I get a few days WITH audio this way, it would be nice. :) 

    EDIT: My daughter is missing her Youtube videos + (mostly Disney) animated movies watching with daddy, she now has to go to another room now to watch those on our laptop here, which works fine and has audio input/output.

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-05-25T11:00:15+00:00

    I could not reproduce my "solution"

    It was when I connected the headset in the 3.5mm jack that suddenly it worked, but then playing more and again I have "No output device"

    Maybe I will try to uninstall last May Cumulative 5003173 to compare because I did it just before 21H1 so potentially it is the real cause, but as it is a production computer, I cannot touch it easily.

    Or will wait for June Cumulative to see if it is better.

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  5. Anonymous
    2021-05-27T07:51:19+00:00

    Any solution found ? I got the exact same issue on multiple pc's ...

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