Are you frustrated because your audio stopped working after a Windows 10 update? You’re not alone. Many users have reported this issue, leaving them struggling to diagnose and fix the problem. In this article, we’ll delve into the possible reasons behind this frustrating issue and provide you with step-by-step solutions to get your audio up and running again.
Common Causes of Audio Not Working After a Windows 10 Update
Before we dive into the fixes, it’s essential to understand the common causes of this problem. Here are some possible reasons why your audio might not be working after a Windows 10 update:
Driver Issues
One of the primary reasons for audio not working is driver issues. When you update Windows 10, it may overwrite or uninstall your existing audio drivers, causing conflicts or incompatibility with your sound card or motherboard. This can lead to audio not working or producing distorted sounds.
Sound Card or Motherboard Compatibility
Another reason for audio not working is compatibility issues with your sound card or motherboard. If the update installs a new audio driver that’s not compatible with your hardware, you may experience audio problems.
Audio Settings and Configurations
Sometimes, Windows 10 updates can reset or alter your audio settings and configurations, causing sound not to work or producing strange audio behavior.
Conflict with Other Devices or Software
In some cases, the update may introduce conflicts with other devices or software that use the audio port, such as headphones, speakers, or virtual audio cables.
Corrupted System Files
Lastly, corrupted system files caused by the update can also affect audio functionality.
Troubleshooting Steps to Fix Audio Not Working After a Windows 10 Update
Now that we’ve discussed the possible causes, let’s move on to the troubleshooting steps to fix the issue. Follow these steps in sequence to get your audio working again:
Step 1: Restart Your Computer and Check for Loose Connections
Sometimes, a simple reboot can resolve the issue. Restart your computer and ensure that all audio cables are securely connected to the correct ports.
Step 2: Disable and Re-enable Audio Devices
Open the Device Manager (Press Windows + X and select Device Manager) and expand the Sound, video and game controllers section. Right-click on each audio device (e.g., Realtek Audio, Conexant SmartAudio) and select Disable device. Wait for 10 seconds and then Enable device. This can reset the audio settings and drivers.
Step 3: Roll Back Audio Drivers
If the update installed a new audio driver, you can try rolling back to the previous version. In the Device Manager, right-click on the audio device and select Properties. In the Driver tab, click Roll Back Driver if the option is available.
Step 4: Uninstall and Reinstall Audio Drivers
If rolling back doesn’t work, try uninstalling and reinstalling the audio drivers. In the Device Manager, right-click on the audio device and select Uninstall device. Restart your computer and Windows will automatically reinstall the audio driver.
Step 5: Run the Windows Audio Troubleshooter
Windows 10 has a built-in audio troubleshooter that can help identify and fix common audio issues. Press Windows + S to open the Search bar, type audio troubleshooter, and run the tool.
Step 6: Check for Windows Updates and Driver Updates
Open the Settings app (Press Windows + I) and navigate to Update & Security. Check for any available Windows updates and install them. You can also check for driver updates for your audio devices.
Step 7: Reset Windows Audio Services
Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box, type services.msc, and press Enter. In the Services window, find the Windows Audio service, right-click on it, and select Restart. If the service is not running, start it.
Step 8: Disable Audio Enhancements
Open the Settings app and navigate to System > Sound. Under App volume and device preferences, click on the Device properties link next to your audio device. Uncheck the box next to Disable all enhancements.
Advanced Troubleshooting Steps
If the above steps don’t resolve the issue, you can try the following advanced troubleshooting steps:
Editing the Registry
Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box, type regedit, and press Enter. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class{4D36E96C-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}. Right-click on the UpperFilters key and select Delete. This will remove any corrupted audio filters.
Disabling Audio Effects and settings
Open the Settings app and navigate to System > Sound. Under App volume and device preferences, click on the Device properties link next to your audio device. Disable any unnecessary audio effects, such as spatial audio or echo cancellation.
Conclusion
Audio not working after a Windows 10 update can be frustrating, but by following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article, you should be able to resolve the issue. Remember to restart your computer, disable and re-enable audio devices, roll back audio drivers, uninstall and reinstall drivers, run the Windows audio troubleshooter, check for Windows updates, reset Windows audio services, and disable audio enhancements.
If you’ve tried all these steps and still can’t get your audio working, it may be worth considering seeking further assistance from Microsoft support or a professional technician.
Remember, prevention is always better than cure. To avoid audio issues after Windows 10 updates, ensure you:
- Regularly back up your system and data
- Keep your audio drivers up to date
- Avoid installing unnecessary software or drivers
- Monitor system updates and report any issues
By taking these precautions, you can minimize the risk of audio issues after Windows 10 updates and enjoy a smoother computing experience.
Why did my audio stop working after a Windows 10 update?
The Windows 10 update may have caused your audio to stop working due to changes made to the system’s audio settings or drivers. Sometimes, the update may overwrite or uninstall the existing audio drivers, leading to audio malfunction. Additionally, the update may also introduce new audio settings that conflict with the existing settings, causing the audio to stop working.
To resolve this issue, you may need to reinstall the audio drivers, adjust the audio settings, or troubleshoot the audio devices. You can try rolling back the Windows 10 update or reinstalling the audio drivers to resolve the issue. It’s also a good idea to check the Windows 10 update history to see if there are any specific audio-related updates that may have caused the issue.
How do I reinstall audio drivers after a Windows 10 update?
To reinstall audio drivers after a Windows 10 update, you can follow these steps: Open the Device Manager, expand the “Sound, video and game controllers” section, right-click on the audio device, and select “Uninstall device”. Then, restart your computer and let Windows 10 reinstall the audio drivers automatically. Alternatively, you can also download the audio drivers from the manufacturer’s website and install them manually.
Make sure to restart your computer after reinstalling the audio drivers to allow the changes to take effect. If you’re not sure which audio driver to install, you can check the device manager or the manufacturer’s website for more information. Additionally, you can also use the Windows 10 built-in troubleshooter to diagnose and fix audio issues.
How do I adjust audio settings after a Windows 10 update?
To adjust audio settings after a Windows 10 update, you can follow these steps: Open the Sound settings, click on the “Playback” tab, and select the audio device you want to use. Then, click on the “Properties” button and adjust the audio settings as needed, such as the playback format, default format, and other settings.
Make sure to save the changes and restart your computer to allow the changes to take effect. You can also check the Windows 10 Settings app for additional audio settings, such as the “App volume and device preferences” section, which allows you to adjust the volume levels for individual apps and devices.
How do I troubleshoot audio devices after a Windows 10 update?
To troubleshoot audio devices after a Windows 10 update, you can follow these steps: Open the Device Manager, expand the “Sound, video and game controllers” section, and check for any errors or warnings next to the audio devices. Then, right-click on the audio device and select “Properties” to check the device status and troubleshoot any issues.
You can also use the Windows 10 built-in troubleshooter to diagnose and fix audio issues. To access the troubleshooter, go to the Settings app, click on “Update & Security”, and then click on “Troubleshoot” and select “Playing audio”. Follow the instructions to run the troubleshooter and fix any audio issues.
Can I roll back the Windows 10 update that caused the audio issue?
Yes, you can roll back the Windows 10 update that caused the audio issue. To do this, go to the Settings app, click on “Update & Security”, and then click on “Windows Update” and select “View update history”. Find the update that caused the audio issue and click on the “Uninstall” button next to it.
Note that rolling back the update may not always resolve the issue, and you may need to try other troubleshooting steps to fix the audio issue. Additionally, rolling back the update may also uninstall any security patches or other important updates, so use this option with caution.
How do I check the Windows 10 update history to see if there are any audio-related updates?
To check the Windows 10 update history, go to the Settings app, click on “Update & Security”, and then click on “Windows Update” and select “View update history”. This will show you a list of all the updates that have been installed on your computer, including any audio-related updates.
Look for updates that mention “audio”, “sound”, or “audio driver” in the description, and check the installation date to see if it corresponds to when your audio issue started. You can also click on the update to see more details, such as the update type and installation status.
What if none of the troubleshooting steps resolve the audio issue?
If none of the troubleshooting steps resolve the audio issue, you may need to seek further assistance from Microsoft Support or a professional technician. They can help you diagnose and fix the issue, or provide additional guidance on how to resolve the problem.
In some cases, the audio issue may be caused by a hardware problem, such as a faulty audio card or damaged speakers, and may require physical repair or replacement. Alternatively, you can also try reinstalling Windows 10 or performing a System Restore to a previous point when the audio was working correctly.