Windows Update Sound Stops Working – Remedy

As with my previous ‘technical’ blog, I will start off by saying that I am definitely not a computer expert.  However, the following has worked for me with both Windows XP (Home & Pro) and Vista Business when an update stops the sound working for no apparent reason.  There is often a red cross by the sound device icon (e.g. a loudspeaker) and if you try to open the device by clicking on the icon, the window that opens tells you that the sound device is no longer there. 

The big advantage with the following is that it’s easy to try and you lose nothing if it doesn’t work.

If it does work you’ll save yourself lots of time, frustration and possibly money.

I’m assuming for the following that you have not consciously deleted your sound drivers.  Even if you have there is a step towards the end that may help.  Anyway, here’s the business:

WINDOWS XP:

1. Locate ‘My Computer’ either by opening windows explorer or clicking the Start menu in the bottom left of the screen.  Right click on ‘My Computer’ and select ‘Manage’.  This will open another window titled ‘Computer Manager’.
2. Find ‘Device Manager’ in the menu on the left of the screen and click on it.   In the right hand pane you will see a long menu of all your computer’s devices.
3. Find ‘Sound, Video & Games Controllers’ and if there is a ‘+’ sign next to the title, clock on that + sign to open a drop down menu which will contain all of the drivers for the various sound cards etc on your computer.
4. If you haven’t deleted your sound driver intentionally, the chances are that it will be listed in this drop-down menu.  Find the device you’re after e.g. Realtek High Definition Audio and Right click on it.
5. A small drop-down menu will appear with a few options.
6.  If one option is ‘Enable’, click on it and our device will be switched on again.  If there is no ‘Enable’ option, select ‘Update Driver’.  Make sure you are connected to the internet as the computer will need to go onto the web to find the drivers if they are not still on your machine.  Once the drivers are installed, everything should work again.

WINDOWS VISTA:

With Vista the process is the same but getting there is just a bit different.

1. Locate ‘Computer’ either by opening windows explorer or clicking the Windows icon in the bottom left corner of the screen.  Right click on ‘Computer’ and select ‘Manage’.  Click ‘Continue’ if a dialogue box opens asking for permission.  This will open another window titled ‘Computer Management’.
2. Find ‘Device Manager’ in the menu on the left of the screen and click on it.   In the right hand pane you will see a long menu of all your computer’s devices.
3. Find ‘Sound, Video & Games Controllers’ and if there is a ‘+’ sign next to the title, clock on that + sign to open a drop down menu which will contain all of the drivers for the various sound cards etc on your computer.
4. If you haven’t deleted your sound driver intentionally, the chances are that it will be listed in this drop-down menu.  Find the device you’re after e.g. Realtek High Definition Audio and Right click on it.
5. A small drop-down menu will appear with a few options.
6.  If one option is ‘Enable’, click on it and our device will be switched on again.  If there is no ‘Enable’ option, select ‘Update Driver’.  Make sure you are connected to the internet as the computer will need to go onto the web to find the drivers if they are not still on your machine.  Once the drivers are installed, everything should work again.

Hope this helps.

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