Sound issue after update

Question

Sound issue after update

Сергей Хоменко 0

After a mandatory update on my laptop, I started experiencing sound issues. My headphones and microphone, including the built-in ones, stopped working. Additionally, my PC stopped recognizing my headphones and microphone for selection. I tried uninstalling the sound card from the Device Manager, using the Sound Troubleshooter, and updating the drivers. However, none of these solutions worked. I am unable to roll back the updates or drivers because the option is not available.

[moderator's note: moved from Microsoft System Center | Other]

Сергей Хоменко 0 Reputation points

2026-04-16T09:52:14.4266667+00:00

Forgot to add, I tried reinstalling the update and it worked. However, it broke again the next day
UPD:The sound and microphone work correctly on the Bluetooth headphones
Bill Filippo 0 Reputation points

2026-04-20T14:46:22.7966667+00:00
Having the same issue in my enterprise. We use Jabra wireless dongles to connect to our Jabra headsets. After patching, Windows no longer sees the Jabra Link as a sound device BUT it is still present in device manager.

Only thing I could do at this point to get it working is:

Uninstall Jabra Link from device manager

Unplug USB dongle

Plug it back in

Go to sound mixer options and select the device again

This seems to resolve the issue but not sure if the "fix" will stay fixed. We have a TON of endpoints using this setup so this will be VERY annoying to resolve across the estate.

2 answers

Your answer

Сергей Хоменко 0 Reputation points

2026-04-16T09:52:14.4266667+00:00

Forgot to add, I tried reinstalling the update and it worked. However, it broke again the next day
UPD:The sound and microphone work correctly on the Bluetooth headphones
Bill Filippo 0 Reputation points

2026-04-20T14:46:22.7966667+00:00

Having the same issue in my enterprise. We use Jabra wireless dongles to connect to our Jabra headsets. After patching, Windows no longer sees the Jabra Link as a sound device BUT it is still present in device manager.

Only thing I could do at this point to get it working is:

Uninstall Jabra Link from device manager

Unplug USB dongle

Plug it back in

Go to sound mixer options and select the device again

This seems to resolve the issue but not sure if the "fix" will stay fixed. We have a TON of endpoints using this setup so this will be VERY annoying to resolve across the estate.

Answer 1

Vikki-T 5,540 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi Сергей Хоменко,

I can understand that sounds really frustrating, especially since both the built‑in audio and your headset/mic stopped showing up after a required update, and it comes back only temporarily after reinstalling the update.

To narrow this down, could you share a few details?

What’s your Windows version/build?
Could you share your device's brand and model?
What kind of headset is it, for example 3.5mm jack / USB / Bluetooth? If USB, is it connected through a dock/hub?
When the issue happens, do you lose all sound (including built‑in speakers), or does sound work but the mic/headset doesn’t appear as an option?
In Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers, what entries do you see?
In Settings > Windows Update > Update history, do you see any Driver updates (audio/chipset) installed around the time it breaks again?

While my initial response may not fully resolve the issue, I truly appreciate your cooperation as we work together toward identifying the most effective solution. Thank you so much for your understanding.

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Сергей Хоменко 0 Reputation points

2026-04-16T14:52:09.2266667+00:00

1.I currently have Windows 11 version 25H2 (I also found the 2026-04 Security Update (KB5083769) (26200.8246) in the latest updates).

2.Chinese laptop FIREBAT T9C

3.Headphones with a built-in microphone and a split 3.5mm jack.

4.The problem occurs all the time, and neither the sound nor the microphone works. This includes the built-in speaker or microphone. Also, the computer does not display my headset as an output or input.

5.In the device manager, I see the devices in the screenshot.

6.I had the next driver update 8 months ago, so I don't associate it with them.

I want to add that I was able to connect with Bluetooth headphones, which enabled sound and microphone, but now the PC does not even see the built-in speakers and microphone.

I checked the headset on another device and they work.

UPD: The problem of not being able to see the built-in speakers and microphone was solved by restarting the system.
Vikki-T 5,540 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-04-17T14:43:26.5833333+00:00
Hi Сергей Хоменко,

Thanks for the detailed answers, that helps a lot.

Since a restart brought the built‑in speakers/mic back, please follow this quick check:

When the issue happens, does it usually occur after sleep/hibernation, or even after a normal restart?

Does your FIREBAT T9C have one combo 3.5mm audio jack (headset jack), or separate headphone + mic jacks? If it’s a combo jack, are you using a TRRS headset directly, or a splitter/adapter?

In the meantime, please try the steps below:

Do a full shutdown (not just Restart)

Hold Shift and click Shut down

Power the laptop back on and test audio

Then please disable Fast Startup

Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do > Change settings that are currently unavailable > uncheck Turn on fast startup > Save > reboot and test again.

Make sure devices aren’t hidden/disabled

Control Panel > Sound

On both Playback and Recording tabs: right‑click the blank area > enable
Show Disabled Devices and Show Disconnected Devices

If you see speakers/microphone listed but disabled > Enable and set as Default

Restart Windows audio services

Win + R > type services.msc > Enter

Restart Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder

Then test again

Confirm the Realtek driver version and reinstall using the OEM package

Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers > Realtek(R) Audio

Uninstall Realtek(R) Audio > check Delete the driver software for this device (if shown)

Restart

Install the latest audio driver from the FIREBAT T9C support page (or the driver package provided by the vendor)

Restart and test

System file repair

Open Windows Terminal (Admin) and run each DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and sfc /scannow

Restart afterward and test.

I’m hoping the steps above get everything back to normal. If you have any difficulty doing them, or if the issue persists after trying them, please reply here and let me know.

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.
Vikki-T 5,540 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-04-18T12:36:38.98+00:00

Hi Сергей Хоменко,

Is there any update from you?

If yes, please feel free to let me know.
Сергей Хоменко 0 Reputation points

2026-04-19T11:19:47.2+00:00
Good afternoon!

The problem doesn't go away, as it's always present. It's there every time I turn on the computer.

The laptop has a headphone + miс jack.

It didn't help.

It doesn't recognize the headset I'm connecting. It only sees the built-in speaker, mic, and Bluetooth headset.

It didn't help. Additionally, I don't have Windows Audio Endpoint Builder.

It didn't help.

It didn't help.

I'm sorry it took so long to respond.
Vikki-T 5,540 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-04-21T14:12:15.1333333+00:00

Hi Сергей Хоменко,

Thanks for the update. Could you please try updating Windows to the latest available build and let me know the results?

Thank you so much for your cooperation.
Сергей Хоменко 0 Reputation points

2026-04-21T15:09:13.6866667+00:00

Hi, I've solved the sound issue. It turns out that the drivers were installed incorrectly, and the installer from my PC's official driver website didn't reinstall them. I manually updated the drivers, and everything worked as expected.

Thank you so much for your assistance!
Vikki-T 5,540 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-04-22T13:38:28.84+00:00

Hi Сергей Хоменко,

Thank you so much for the update. I really appreciate you taking the time to share the outcome, it means a lot, and I’m very glad everything worked out smoothly in the end.

If it’s convenient, please consider marking the helpful reply as the answer, so other users facing the same issue can quickly find the solution. Thank you!

If you ever have any other questions or run into anything in the future, please feel free to post your question on the Microsoft Q&A Forum anytime. I’ll always be here and ready to assist you.

Wishing you a great experience ahead!

Answer 2

Follow these steps in order on the affected Windows device:

Check that an audio device is installed and detected
- Open Device Manager (select Start, type Device Manager, select it).
- Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
- If no audio device is listed or there is a warning icon, install or repair the audio driver as below.
Update audio drivers via Windows Update (recommended)
- Select Start > Settings > Windows Update.
- Select Check for updates and install all available updates, including optional audio or driver updates.
- Restart the PC and test sound and device detection again.
Update the audio driver in Device Manager
- In Device Manager, under Sound, video and game controllers, right‑click the audio device (for example, Realtek, High Definition Audio, or similar).
- Select Update driver.
- Select Search automatically for drivers (or Search automatically for updated driver software on Windows 10) and complete the wizard.
- Restart the PC and test.
Reinstall the audio driver If updating does not help or devices still are not recognized:
- In Device Manager, under Sound, video and game controllers, right‑click the audio device and select Uninstall device.
- If available, check Delete the driver software for this device / Attempt to remove the driver for this device.
- Confirm uninstall.
- Restart the PC. Windows will automatically reinstall a fresh audio driver.
- Test headphones and microphone again.
Use the generic Windows audio driver If the vendor driver remains problematic after the update/uninstall steps:
- In Device Manager, under Sound, video and game controllers, right‑click the audio device and select Update driver.
- Select Browse my computer for drivers > Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
- Choose the High Definition Audio Device (generic Microsoft driver) and select Next to install it.
- Restart and test audio and device detection.
If audio broke after an update and rollback is unavailable
- When rollback options are missing, rely on the steps above: reinstall the driver and, if needed, switch to the generic High Definition Audio driver.
- If the system previously used a vendor driver (for example, Realtek) and the issue persists, leave the generic High Definition Audio driver in place if it restores normal behavior.
Run the Playing Audio troubleshooter again after driver repair
- Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
- Run Playing Audio and apply any fixes it suggests.

If, after these steps, no audio device appears in Device Manager at all, or the internal devices remain undetected, this can indicate a hardware issue and the device manufacturer’s support should be contacted.

References:

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Sound issue after update

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