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Windows GUI Icon Shows "No Audio Devices Installed" but Device Manager shows devices functioning properly

Lightfoot, Robert 101 Reputation points
2021-10-15T11:59:04.103+00:00

I have a Windows 10 Enterprise Version 20H2 OS Build 19042.1288 System that is up to date as 02:48 am this morning 10/14/2021.

No Sound will Play from the System.

By the Clock on the Taskbar there is a Speaker ICON with a Red "x".

Right clicking reveals Speaker Setup (UNKNOWN) Off.

Right Clicking and Running the Troubleshooter cannot find an issue.

Going to Device Manager all devices are installed and working properly.

Reinstalling Drivers did not change the situation.

Uninstall, Reboot and Reinstall each Device did not change the situation..

Visiting Manufacturers Website Support {DELL} and updating BIOS and all drivers had no improvement.

Restoring to a 30 day old System Restore point failed because the system could not access certain files, possible due to anti-virus.

Left Clicking on the Speaker Icon results in "you'll need an app to open this ms-contact-support link" popup.

Using Elevated Powershell to re-register all apps does not resolve support link issue or sound issue.

My Employers Tier-1 and Tier-2 tech support are out of ideas.

Potential Next Steps are as follows unless some one can suggest an alternative.

Plan A - Turn off Anti-Virus and rerun System Restore

Plan B - Run Sysprep and bring the system OOB again to see if this resolves the issue.

Plan C - Restore the Macrium Image of the Functioning System made after the last major software packages were installed.

Surely this should be fixable as Device Manager is seeing the Sound Devices but Windows is Not.

Windows for business | Windows Client for IT Pros | Devices and deployment | Other
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  1. Lightfoot, Robert 101 Reputation points
    2021-10-22T19:22:28.09+00:00

    SUCCESS - THANK GOODNESS FOR PROPER BACKUPS

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  1. Limitless Technology 39,931 Reputation points
    2021-10-18T07:30:14.467+00:00

    Hello LightfootRobert-6816,

    Thank you for your question.

    First of all, I would try to upgrade to 21H1 version, because the 20H2 version you have is not the latest, which could be one of the causes of the problem, to upgrade follow the steps below:

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

    Step 1: Access the above link and select the Update Now option, an application will be downloaded in which you must install on your computer.

    Step 2: when installing you must open the application and the download, verification and installation of the recent version will start.

    Step 3: After you will be asked to restart the device to complete the update, after a few minutes you will have the latest version.

    If after the update the problem persists, then I recommend that you follow PLAN B and PLAN C, which you described.

    If the answer is helpful, please vote positively and accept as an answer.

  2. Lightfoot, Robert 101 Reputation points
    2021-10-19T19:09:11.667+00:00

    PLAN B -

    Ran Sysprep and reboot was presented with DefaultUser0 as the only login.

    My IT Dept. had no idea where this User Came from. Neither did I. Mr. Google seems to indicate it's a system account from Dell.

    Plan B FAILS .

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  3. Lightfoot, Robert 101 Reputation points
    2021-10-19T19:10:30.093+00:00

    PLAN C -

    Restored Macrium Image and was able to access system. But had lost trust with domain.

    Removed from Domain while Network Cable was unplugged OK. Waiting for IT Dept to place system back on domain.

    Looks Like Plan C -- SUCCESS

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