Fix “No Audio Device Installed or Found” on Windows 10/11

Introduction

Navigating through the digital space, audio output is a crucial element that enhances our interactive experience on Windows 10/11. However, encountering the “No Audio Device Installed or Found” error can throw us off balance, hindering our smooth sail through the digital sphere. Fear not! This piece serves as a beacon, guiding you through a step-by-step method to resolve this common but vexing issue. By the end of this tutorial, the sweet sound of resolution will echo through your speakers, marking a victorious end to the silence imposed by this error. So, let's march forward and reclaim the audio realm that rightfully belongs to us!

Check Windows Audio Services

We'll start by checking if the Windows Audio service is running properly:

1. Click on the Start Menu (the little windows icon on the bottom left corner of your screen), type services, and then press Enter.

2. A new window will open showing a list of services. Look for Windows Audio in this list. You can press the letter W on your keyboard to quickly jump to services starting with the letter W.

3. Once you find Windows Audio, right-click on it and select Properties.

4. In the new window, look for Startup Type and make sure it is set to Automatic.

5. Also, check if the Service status is Running. If not, click on the Start button.

6. Click Apply and then OK to save any changes.

Windows Services Manager > Windows Audio Properties

Check Realtek Audio Service

Now, we'll check another service:

1. In the same list of services, press the letter R on your keyboard to find Realtek Audio Universal Service.

2. Right-click on Realtek Audio Universal Service and select Properties.

3. Make sure the Startup Type is set to Automatic and the Service status is Running.

4. Click Apply and then OK to save any changes.

Now, try playing a sound to see if enabling these two services has fixed the audio issue on your PC.

Windows Services Manager > Realtek Audio Universal Service Properties

Check for Updates

It's possible that a new Windows update might have changed the drivers on your PC. Let’s check if there are any new updates:

1. Click on the Start Menu and type Settings, then press Enter.

2. Go to Windows Update settings.

3. Click on Advanced Options.

4. Under Additional Options, find the section called Optional Updates. Click on it to see if there are any available updates.

5. Download any updates you find, especially if they are related to audio.

After the updates are installed, restart your PC to see if the audio issue is resolved.

Windows Update > Advanced Options > Optional Updates

Update Audio Driver in Device Manager

If the problem is still there, let’s check the audio drivers:

1. Click on the Start Menu, type Device Manager, and press Enter.

2. In the Device Manager window, find and expand the Audio Inputs and Outputs section.

3. Right-click on your audio output device listed there, and select Update Driver.

4. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software and wait for the process to complete.

Device Manager > Audio inputs and outputs > Update Driver

Enable Audio Device

If the audio device is disabled, you can enable it easily:

1. In the same Device Manager window, right-click on your audio device under Audio Inputs and Outputs.

2. Select Enable Device from the menu.

3. If your audio device isn’t showing, check the connections. If it’s a USB device, try a different USB port. If it’s a Bluetooth device, pair it again with your PC.

Reinstalling Audio Driver

Sometimes the audio driver might need a fresh install to work properly. Here's how you do it:

Step 1: Check Your Audio Device

1. Go to the Device Manager (you can find it in the Start Menu).

2. Look for Sound, Video, and Game Controllers and click on it to see the devices.

3. Find your audio device in the list. If it's disabled, right-click on it and select Enable Device.

Step 2: Update Driver

1. Right-click on your audio device again, but this time select Update Driver.

2. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software to find and install any new drivers.

Step 3: Reinstall Driver

If the issue still isn’t fixed:

1. Right-click on your audio device in the Device Manager.

2. Select Uninstall device from the menu.

3. A new window will pop up asking for confirmation, click Uninstall.

4. After uninstalling, restart your PC.

When your PC starts again, it will automatically look for and install the missing audio driver. This step often fixes the "No Audio Device Installed or Found" error on Windows PCs.

Device Manager > Audio Device > Disable Device

Troubleshoot Your Audio Issues with PassFab FixUWin

Encountering the 'No Audio Device Installed or Found' error on Windows 10 or 11 can be a major setback, especially if you rely on your PC for entertainment or work. PassFab's FixUWin application offers a robust solution for this and other Windows-related issues. Capable of diagnosing and rectifying over 200 common problems, including audio device errors, FixUWin is an essential tool for any Windows user. It ensures that your system’s audio capabilities are running smoothly, thus enhancing your overall experience on Windows. Whether it's driver conflicts or system errors causing the issue, FixUWin is designed to get to the root of the problem and provide an effective fix.

• What do I do if the "No Audio Device Installed or Found" error appears on my Windows 10/11 PC?

  This error often occurs due to issues with your audio drivers or Windows services. The article guides you through various steps to resolve this issue including checking Windows audio services, updating drivers, and reinstalling audio drivers.

• How do I check if my Windows audio service is running properly?

  Navigate to the Windows Services Manager, locate Windows Audio and Realtek Audio Universal Service, ensure both are set to Automatic and are currently Running.

• How can I update my audio drivers to fix the "No Audio Device Installed or Found" error?

  Use the Device Manager to locate your audio device under Sound, Video, and Game Controllers, right-click on it, select Update Driver, and follow the prompts to search for and install updated drivers automatically.

• What should I do if my audio device is disabled in the Device Manager?

  Right-click on the disabled audio device and select Enable Device. If it’s not appearing, ensure it’s properly connected or try switching USB ports or re-pairing for Bluetooth devices.

• How do I reinstall my audio drivers on Windows 10/11?

  In the Device Manager, right-click on your audio device, select Uninstall device, confirm the action, and restart your PC. Upon restarting, Windows will automatically reinstall the missing drivers.

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