Lose audio when system updates

Question

Every time my Dell Inspiron computer updates, I lose audio. I spend hours updating drivers, installing software, etc. but nothing works. I am usually able to resolve it, but this time with Windows 11, I can't. Has anyone had a similar issue?

E.

Answer 1

Hi, I'm Bernard, a fellow Windows user. I'm happy to help!

Based on your inputs, it seems that there is an incompatibility with the audio driver. Moreover, kindly follow the steps below for us to sort out the issue:

Method 1. Run Audio troubleshooter:

Press the Windows Key + R, then type in:

msdt.exe /id AudioPlaybackDiagnostic

Then hit OK and follow the prompt to run the Audio troubleshooter.

Method 2. Roll back the audio driver

-Press the Windows key + X

-Go to Device Manager

-Expand the Sound, video and game controller

-Look for Realtek (R) Audio or High Definition audio

-Right-click and click Update Driver

-Select Browse my computer for drivers

-Click Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer

-Choose an old driver or another driver name, then select it and hit next until it installs.

-Restart the PC and check.

Note: If the issue persists, please download and install an Audio driver from your manufacturer's website.

Answer 2

It sounds like you're experiencing a common issue where audio drivers may not be compatible after a system update. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the audio loss after updates:

1. Check Device Manager: Open Device Manager and ensure that your audio drivers are installed and functioning properly. If there are any issues indicated, you may need to update or reinstall the drivers.
2. Update Drivers: You can try updating your audio drivers to the latest version. If you've already updated them, consider rolling back to a previous version to see if that resolves the issue.
3. Run the Audio Troubleshooter: Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters and run the Playing Audio troubleshooter. This can help identify and fix common audio problems.
4. Check for Windows Updates: Sometimes, additional updates may be released to fix issues with audio after a major update. Make sure your system is fully updated by checking for Windows updates.
5. Contact Manufacturer: If the problem persists, it may be worth contacting Dell support for assistance, as they may have specific drivers or solutions for your model.

These steps should help you address the audio issues you're facing after updates.