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Windows 10 April Update - USB Audio Issues

Anonymous
2018-05-21T15:34:57+00:00

Hello,

I am having issues with my driverless USB audio adapter after the April Windows 10 update. I will describe my issues and what I have tried below, but just to get it out of the way--I am certain it is not a hardware issue, as the equipment works on other PCs, and I have had this working flawlessly until immediately after the update.

The USB audio adapter has a 3.5mm speaker output and a microphone output. I use a pair of simple headphones and microphone with the device. Issues with speaker output and mic input as follows...

Speaker (Headphones):

After the update, I can hear sound from programs such as Chrome, general Windows system sounds, and a few games I have tried. I cannot hear audio from communication programs like Skype, Discord, or Blizzard chat. Troubleshooting I have tried to no avail...

  1. Ensuring it was set to default device in Audio Manager, and in all programs mentioned for use; volume up in all places
  2. Changing USB ports
  3. Reinstall Audio Endpoint driver; install generic Windows Audio driver instead; uninstall-reinstall device in device manager
  4. Windows Troubleshooter - did find an "error"... it did not like the generic driver, and the troubleshooter replaced it
  5. Update sound card driver on motherboard

*Between each fix attempt I restarted my PC, and tested system sounds and a YouTube video--sound output always worked.

Microphone:

After the update, Windows recognizes the USB microphone in Audio Manager, but does not recognize the sound input indicated by the green bars next to the listed device. If I go to "Configure" device to accessibility settings, I get the error "Wizard could not start to set up microphone." If I go to device Properties>Listen>Listen to device, I can turn that on and hear myself speaking clearly. If I leave that on and exit, I can see my input indicated by the same green bars, but get the same error in Configure, and still no sound to my communication programs. For troubleshooting, I have tried all things mentioned above in "Speakers"...

      1. same method, same outcome
  2. Windows troubleshooter recognized an error, but could not fix it; it did not try reinstalling default audio driver, however
  3. same method, outcome

*Also restarted PC and tested device after every attempt--same outcome. I could hear myself in "Listen" mode, but nothing else.

Here's to hoping there's a recent backup I can recover to...

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-05-21T15:42:58+00:00

    Click Start > Settings > Privacy > Microphone

    Toggle on Allow apps to access your microphone

    First, run the Playing audio troubleshoot - open Start > Settings > Update & security > Troubleshoot

    Scroll down, select Playing audio

    Click Run the troubleshooter

    When complete, restart your computer then check if audio is working again.

    Press Windows key + X

    Click Device Manager

    Expand Sound, video and game controllers

    Right click your audio adapter

    Click Properties

    Click the Driver tab

    Is there an option rollback?

    If so, click it.

    Also, check to make sure the audio driver is fully updated. This is often the problem when you upgrade to a new version of Windows 10. Sometimes reinstalling the latest available driver from the manufacturers website helps.

    Open Start, type: change sound card

    Hit Enter

    Select the Playback

    Right click your Speakers

    Click Set as Default Device if it isn't already

    Other options:

    1. Play a youtube video with the soundcard speaker jack unplugged and let it play through the laptop's inbuilt speakers.
    2. While it is playing, plug in the audio jack and see if it starts playing.

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-05-23T13:14:02+00:00

    Andre,

    Thank you so much for your reply! It was indeed the privacy setting that was changed without my knowledge by the update. It fixed both my microphone input not being recognized in the Windows "Sound" options menu and my speakers/mic not working in any communication applications.

    Thanks again!!!

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