Audio devices disappear after failed update

I had the same problem after a failed update. I tried many of the suggestions of updating/reinstalling drivers, restarting windows audio services, running the audio troubleshooter, running dism and sfc etc. None of which made the blind bit of difference.

For me I found the solution here: https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/2238479-windows-10-no-audio-output-device-is-installed from Bill1420 on Jan 27, 2021.

What fixed it for me in "Sound Settings" under "Related Settings" there is "Ease of Access audio settings" menu which has "Turn on Mono Audio". I toggled this and my audio outputs reappeared. I went back and turned it off again and the outputs were still there. I am a happy man,

Whether it's their update per se or whether it just happens to cause problems with certain machine configurations (and we all just happened to be unlucky), I can't say.  But it seems to me that the Windows programmers there need to have a more robust rollback procedure in place.  I can understand that update failures of a BSOD level can happen, and Windows is theoretically designed to detect when an update repeatedly crashes a given machine and roll back the system to where it was before, but there's obviously some flaws in the system when doing so not only introduces a problem, but a problem that cannot be fixed with either a repair install or a system restore from an earlier restore point.  The latter is particularly concerning from my point of view; because it means the whole system restore system has some fundamental bugs that may cause it to fail just where one needs it the most.

I do really appreciate Greg Carmack's efforts here, and grant that it's likely a clean install will result in a improved and more reliable computer, but there should never be a case where a "pushed" update can screw up users' computers to the point where that is the only solution.  It seems to me that Microsoft needs to realize that not everybody is an average home user with, maybe, an e-mail client, a web browser, and maybe a copy of Office, and with all their work neatly arranged in their user folder.  My work in photography and video takes up two large internal drives, and my music-server adds a third.  (Seriously, if everything were being kept in my user folder, I'd need a 16TB SSD as a boot drive.)  And, as I said before, my work involves many different programs, plug-ins, etc., some of which have to interact with others, and some of which I may only need every few years but are absolutely essential to be working correctly when I do need them.  Trying to rebuild such an environment after a clean install is a daunting task, and I'll never be sure I've really done it fully unless and until I find, however far down the line, that I need a given tool and can't get it to set up properly.  As much as I wish I could just clean-install, gradually add my presumed  handful of applications back to the system, and copy my Documents, Music, Videos, etc. back to my newly created user directory and consider the job done, it just isn't the case.  And the thought that, even should I pull this off without a hitch this time, I'm just one flawed forced update away from having to do it all again, just because Windows' rollback provisions (whether it be an automatic one after a crashed update or a system restore that doesn't really restore the system fully) aren't reliable is deeply depressing.

try resetting your computer in settings

Did you update the BIOS and chipset? You said the Display adapter driver is not resolved yet but it can affect this because it often has audio elements. The Display driver is so important here that merely updating it is sometimes not enough. So let's try everything possible to get it working correctly:

First make sure you have updated the Display driver from the PC or Display adapter maker's Support Downloads web page for your exact model number, HP Serial Number or Dell Service Tag - from the sticker on the PC.

If necessary first remove the old driver using DDU https://www.wagnardsoft.com/content/ddu-guide-t... (not necessary with Microsoft Basic driver which is a placeholder if nothing else is available) and/or install in Safe Mode with Networking (so you have internet), or Safe Mode, accessed by one of these methods: https://www.digitalcitizen.life/4-ways-boot-saf...

While there check also for newer chipset, BIOS/UEFI firmware (very important), network, sound, USB3 and other drivers, comparing to the ones presently installed in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start Menu.

If this doesn't give you the latest or ideal driver for what you need, compare it to the driver offered by the Intel driver update Utility here: http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/...

or the Nvidia Update utility here: http://www.nvidia.com/Download/Scan.aspx?lang=e...

or the AMD autodect utility here: http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/windows/P...

For Display issues one fix that is working is to Roll back or Uninstall the Driver on the Display Device > Driver tab, restart PC to reinstall driver.

You can also try older drivers in Device Manager > Display device > Driver tab > Update Driver > Browse > Let Me Pick.

Then you will know you've tried everything in addition to Windows Update drivers.

Adjust the screen resolution until it fits and looks best at Settings > System > Display.

Then watch WIndows Updates which may push a new monitor driver based on the display driver you now have installed.

Let's look further at Realtek Audio Device not migrated due to partial or ambiguous match and every meaningful guide that's been compiled for it:

https://borncity.com/win/2017/03/15/windows-10-...

https://www.tenorshare.com/fix-windows/device-w...

https://www.devicetricks.com/device-not-migrate...

https://www.minitool.com/news/device-not-migrat...

https://tencomputer.com/device-not-migrated-win...

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/device-not-migra...

(Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro and Reimage ads)

https://blogs.systweak.com/multiple-ways-to-fix...

https://windows10skill.com/device-not-migrated-...

Keep me posted on your progress as I will be here to help until the case is resolved.

Hi James. I'm Greg, an Independent Advisor.

See fixes for the Device Not Migrated error on your sound devices:

https://windowsreport.com/device-not-migrated-p... (Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro and Reimage ads)

I'll give you all possible solutions for Sound problems in order of priority, so please try any you've already tried again in order. If you have any problems performing any steps I'll be standing by here to help you.

1. See if you can System Restore to a point before the problem began following this guide: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-system-r...

System Restore is your first line of defense and can take you back to a point before a problem began. If it doesn't help then you can undo it. Read about it first in the tutorial above and then try restoring to just before this started.

If the problem repeats or System Restore doesn't work then check which Windows Updates were installed at Settings > Update & Security > Windows Updates > Update History, uninstall them there or System Restore again, then immediately check for and block the Updates with the Hide Updates tool explained here: https://www.howtogeek.com/223864/how-to-uninsta...

2. Update the sound driver from the PC or device maker's Support Downloads webpage for your exact model, Serial Number or Dell Service Tag. Go into Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start button, compare to make sure you also have the latest BIOS, Chipset, Display, Network and all other drivers.

If necessary try installing the driver in Safe Mode with Networking (so you have internet), or Safe Mode, accessed by one of these methods: https://www.digitalcitizen.life/4-ways-boot-saf...

3. Restore the Windows Audio Service which may have become disabled: https://troubleshooter.xyz/wiki/fix-audio-servi...
4. Next try these checklists:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-US/help/402699...

https://www.howtogeek.com/443702/how-to-fix-sou...

Also reset the prompt to ask for which device was plugged in here:

https://windowsreport.com/you-just-plugged-unpl...

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Audio/En...

https://www.dell.com/community/Windows-10/How-g...

5. Right click Volume icon in System Tray, choose Sound Settings, from the Output and Input devices dropdown menus, choose then one(s) affected to see if that helps. If not use the Troubleshoot button nearby.
6. Run the Playing Sound troubleshooter at Start button > Settings>Update & Security>Troubleshoot.
7. Try rolling back the sound drivers in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start button. Choose Sound controller and other audio devices, then Driver tab, then Roll back if available.

If no newer sound drivers then uninstall the one presently installed in Device Manager, reached by right clicking the Start Button. Restart PC to reinstall.

Try other and older drivers for your model Sound controller, too. For example, try the next oldest driver in the model's online Support Downloads list. To try all previous drivers installed on your system, in Device Manager choose Sound controller's Driver tab, then Update Driver, then Browse, then Let Me Pick.

Finally, try installing the latest Sound driver in Compatibility Mode as shown here:

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/win...

8. Go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/wiki...

Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

9. If nothing else helps then run a Repair Install by installing the Media Creation Tool and choosing from it to Upgrade Now. This solves many problems and will also bring it up to the latest version which you need anyway and by the most stable method. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-10/m...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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