Suddenly NO AUDIO DEVICE

silversmith · Sep 25, 2024

My Win 11 Lonovo suddenly has no audio. The System shows "No audio device". Device manager shows no audio device, as is the case for the sound settings. I did a in-place win 11 reinstall. I downloaded and installed Realtek driver from Lovono site. No joy. Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks. Peter

antspants · Sep 25, 2024

Hi

Have you tried the troubleshooter? However if it's not showing in either place you mentioned, not really a great sign.

Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other Troubleshooters
It should be the top one.

Also you could try checking the system.

sfc /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Open search on your PC and type CMD, right click on CMD and “Open as admin”
Click on the following command to copy to the clipboard, paste it into CMD. Press enter:

SFC /scannow

Reboot your PC when finished.

After reboot:

Right click on CMD and “Open as admin”
Click on the following command so it copies to your clipboard and paste it into the CMD window. Press enter:

DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

Press enter and be patient.

spapakons · Sep 25, 2024

Nothing will work, I had the same issue back in Windows 10, see this thread: No audio device found but there is in Control Panel - Windows 10 Help Forums

Sorry for the bad news, but you probably have to backup your data and reinstall Windows. If you already have a backup of your current system, restore it so save you the time of starting over.

antspants · Sep 25, 2024

silversmith said:
My Win 11 Lonovo suddenly has no audio.

You have a Dell in your system specs, but you mentioned a Lenovo. Could you please post the model that is under your laptop, the complete model number.

It may pay you to download the top download from here and install & run on your laptop.

https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/ht506581

☆ Lenovo Diagnostics Windows (64-bit)

You can enter the device serial number at the top to be sure it’s OK.

If you don’t know your serial number or if it isn’t on the underneath of your laptop, you can get it from here using the Recommended “Detect My Product” on this page:

https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/ht510152

spapakons · Sep 25, 2024

One possible fix with a very slight chance of success is to download and install the chipset drivers from Lenovo support site. But I had already tried that in my case and didn't work. Let's hope you have more luck (fingers crossed).

silversmith · Sep 25, 2024

Thank you for your thoughts. Troubleshooting does not help me - it can't address what it does not see. I did the scannow and DISM. No help. Indeed I did a in-place reinstall. The speaker icon in the lower right tray still has an "x" over it. Just to test, I paired a Bluetooth speaker - and that does have output. But I need the internal speakers to work. I'm kinda' stuck. Any further thoughts most appreciated. Peter

hsehestedt · Sep 25, 2024

One other possibility: Check that the audio device is enabled in the BIOS. My Lenovo allows me to enable or disable the audio device, the TPM, various USB ports, etc.

antspants · Sep 25, 2024

silversmith said:
Any further thoughts most appreciated. Peter

Yes, Peter, the diagnostics tool, failing that. Repair store is my guess, if the BIOS is in order as hsehestedt has suggested.

Also, it would be great as requested if you could provide the model number.

spapakons · Sep 25, 2024

Can you post a screenshot of your Device Manager? Expand the Sound, Vida and game controllers section. Do you see your audio card there? If you see it but there is a yellow ! then it is a matter of drivers.

silversmith · Sep 25, 2024

My Device Manager DOES NOT have a Sound Video Game Controller entry. If I pair with a Bluetooth speaker, then this entry appears but only for the Bluetooth speaker. My Lenovo is model number 81WR. I went into Bios and poked all around. There is no setting for audio device. I downloaded and installed Realtek driver from Lonovo page - but after reboot there was no change. I did already do in-place WIN 11 reinstall.
I am grateful for your thoughts - please keep them coming.

hsehestedt · Sep 25, 2024

One more thought...

Does your audio device show up as a hidden device if you enable the display of hidden devices?

If your device ahows up as hidden, try selecting it and removing it. Make sure to select the option to remove the driver if that option is presented.

Reboot the system and then try to reinstall the driver.

silversmith · Sep 25, 2024

When I click hidden devices, I do get the Sound entry, but the only thing there is "Microsoft Streaming Service Proxy".
I went into the BIOS again - poking around did not show audio. I set to factory defaults. Reboot still no audio device. I'm very grateful for your thoughts and ideas. What else can I do? .

hsehestedt · Sep 25, 2024

What about, not under "Sound, video and game controllers" but under "Audio inputs and outputs"?

Also, I just want to be 100% sure: Is this the driver that you downloaded for your system and did it generate any error messages when you installed it or did it seem to install okay?

antspants · Sep 25, 2024

silversmith said:
My Lenovo is model number 81WR

Thanks but don’t need it anymore.

silversmith · Sep 25, 2024

OK - I got it. Crazy!
In Device Driver: System Devices->Intel Smart Sound
Update driver -> Pick from list -> High Def Audio
Works! Thank you all for your ideas and willingness to help.
Peter

hsehestedt · Sep 25, 2024

Woo hoo! Glad you got it working.

Karen · Oct 4, 2024

This is sometimes a conflict between Realtek audio software components and Windows native audio drivers. The Realtek software package installs components that interfere with Windows' ability to manage audio devices correctly. Even this won't work.

Solution

Download the latest version of Realtek High Definition Audio Drivers (e.g., R2.82 or newer) from the official Realtek website or your motherboard manufacturer's website.
Run the Realtek installer.
When prompted, choose to uninstall the current Realtek audio software.
Allow the uninstallation process to complete and restart your computer when prompted.
After restart, you should hear the Windows startup sound, indicating that audio is functioning.
IMPORTANT: The Realtek installer will attempt to continue installation. CANCEL this process immediately.
Verify that audio is working correctly using Windows native drivers.

Technical Explanation

The latest Realtek installer contains routines to thoroughly remove all Realtek audio components, including those that resist standard uninstallation methods. By canceling the subsequent installation, we prevent the reintroduction of problematic components while allowing Windows to use its native audio drivers.

Additional Notes

This solution has been tested multiple times with consistent results. Even with a Lenovo IdeaPad L340 laptop.
Windows native audio drivers are sufficient for most users and provide stable functionality.
The issue recurs if the Realtek software installation is allowed to complete after restart.
This method effectively uses the Realtek installer as an advanced uninstallation tool.

Caution

Always create a system restore point before making changes to system drivers. While this solution has proven effective, results may vary depending on specific hardware configurations.

Note: I had this same issue 3 years ago and subsequently, yesterday after a Windows 10 update. This is how I fixed it.

spapakons · Oct 7, 2024

It is a known issue that some non-Realtek audio cards are wrongly detected as Realtek by Windows and install the obviously non-appropriate Realtek drivers. The most common symptom is no sound at all or distorted sound, while the audio device is "properly" installed as seen in Device Manager. Uninstalling the Realtek driver and installing proper audio driver from manufacturer makes the device work OK.

Berton · Oct 7, 2024

My Dell Notebook from Oct. '21 with CIrrus Logic Sound had the audio fail after about 5 months, running a Linux Mint LiveUSB also showed no device. Seems the device on the motherboard had failed and got new board under warranty, no issue since.

kelper · Oct 7, 2024

To be sure it's not a hardware issue boot off a USB bootable Linux OS such as Ubuntu, you don't need to install anything.

Suddenly NO AUDIO DEVICE

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