Lost All Sound on My Laptop

[OverlayHunter]

This is the first time I've ever had this problem.

I installed 2 programs today - MixPad (captures streaming video) and Movavi (captures screen video and audio). Both appeared to work well.

After using them (at different times), I turned off my computer and when I restarted it about an hour later I had a message from a program that boots on startup. The message reads:
"The output sound device has not been initialized."

I've also seen some "Driver Error" messages.

This laptop has 3 sound-related keys - 1 that mutes, 1 that lowers volume, 1 that raises volume. None of them appear to be working.

I've scanned all the drivers and they all check out okay.

I wasn't paying attention when the computer was shutting down but I caught a glimpse of a Windows message related to Movavi that said something like it was preventing shut down but the computer shut down shortly afterwards.

I've uninstalled both programs - still no luck.

Does anyone have any ideas about what to check or try?

[tupper]

Sounds like a software problem, but if you want to test the sound hardware, simply boot a Linux live USB and play an MP3.

[Augenj]

The first thing I would try is to right click the sound icon on the task bar and then Troubleshoot sound problems. I think they may have messed with your sound drivers.

[PaceAdvantage]

right click speaker icon in system tray...choose open sound settings...then check to see you have the correct OUTPUT DEVICE chosen...whatever you installed might have messed with the correct output device...and if you uninstalled something, it might also not be set to the usual and correct output device...there might be multiple options in there...pick the one that looks right, or keep changing them until you hear something

Oh, and make sure you're not muted...lol

[atlasaxis]

I had a similar problem and used a system restore point to resolve the issue.

[JustRalph]

Originally Posted by atlasaxis

I had a similar problem and used a system restore point to resolve the issue.

Ding!

[OverlayHunter]

tupper, Augenj, PA, atlasaxis, and JustRalph thank you all for what are truly good ideas. Unfortunately, no luck so far.

When I hover the cursor over the speaker icon in the system tray (that icon has a white ‘x’ in a red background on it) the following message appears: No Audio Output Device is installed.

The attached png file is related to the speaker icon in the system tray. Importantly, the Output and Input drop-down menus don’t drop down; i.e., the choices you see in the png are the only choices available.

I thought I had system restore points, I was wrong. I must have turned them off for some reason years ago and forgot to turn them back on.

Any other thoughts?

If I were to update to Windows 11, could that update have potential to fix the problem?

[rosenowsr]

go into device manager, double click on sound,double click display audio, click on update driver. If that doesn't work click disable driver, wait a second and click on enable driver.



ymmv

[JustRalph]

Originally Posted by rosenowsr

go into device manager, double click on sound,double click display audio, click on update driver. If that doesn't work click disable driver, wait a second and click on enable driver.



ymmv

Or just remove the driver. Then reboot

[Stevecsd2]

Try unistalling MOVAVI first to see if that fixes. If not uninstall that other new program.

[JustRalph]

Originally Posted by Stevecsd2

Try unistalling MOVAVI first to see if that fixes. If not uninstall that other new program.

“ I've uninstalled both programs - still no luck.”

[vegasone]

Check if your laptop website has a driver download. Also if its an Intel processor check Intel's website for any drivers if it is Intel audio chip. Also check which audio chip is used and check manufacturer website for a driver.


A check of the BIOS might be a good idea

[OverlayHunter]

go into device manager, double click on sound,double click display audio, click on update driver. If that doesn't work click disable driver, wait a second and click on enable driver.

rosenowsr, Thank you for your suggestion. I've not been able to find a screen with the exact labels you used. I've attached 3 screens I've been able to find. Do any of them have what you are suggesting? I apologize for being "thick" but this is beyond the outer limits of my experience.

[OverlayHunter]

Check if your laptop website has a driver download. Also if its an Intel processor check Intel's website for any drivers if it is Intel audio chip. Also check which audio chip is used and check manufacturer website for a driver.


A check of the BIOS might be a good idea

vegasone, thank you for the ideas. I tried the driver download and received a message that I had all the current drivers. I have also scanned the installed drivers and received a message that they are all fine.

I downloaded the Intel Driver & Support System software. I have to reboot to finish the install. I'll write again to let you know if it helps.

I also ran a registry repair but that did nothing related to the sound problem.

[OverlayHunter]

vegasone, to me at least, I believe the attached confirms that no drivers are needed.

Thanks again for your ideas.