Lost sound output on my laptop with Window 11

Question

Lost sound output on my laptop with Window 11

Roumen Petrov 0

I have no sound on my laptop. It disappeared the symbol of the loudspeaker is scratched and when I run a diagnostic the system cannot find the device. a message "no output devices found " and "no input devices found" appears" . Restarts did not help. It happened after the last series of Windows updates.

C H 0 Reputation points

2026-09-27T00:49:14.5666667+00:00

I'm having this problem as well (though I don't think it's related to an update - I disabled windows update after the last one broke my mouse for several weeks and I needed to roll back and disabled auto-updates).

Drivers say they are up-to-date.

When I went into services, windows audio service was disabled (probably stopped and not restarted by the diagnostic test) and wouldn't start. I got Error 0x80070005 Access is denied. I used registry editor to update the permissions to give system and myself full control and read permissions. Restarted, and I was then able to start windows audio service. Restarted again and my speaker shows up in the list of devices, but still has no audio.

In sound > advanced > more sound settings > right click on my speaker > test I get Error: Failed to play test tone.

In advanced > more sound settings > with my speaker selected click properties > when I select the Enhancements tab, all sound windows crash.

2 answers

Your answer

C H 0 Reputation points

2026-09-27T00:49:14.5666667+00:00

I'm having this problem as well (though I don't think it's related to an update - I disabled windows update after the last one broke my mouse for several weeks and I needed to roll back and disabled auto-updates).

Drivers say they are up-to-date.

When I went into services, windows audio service was disabled (probably stopped and not restarted by the diagnostic test) and wouldn't start. I got Error 0x80070005 Access is denied. I used registry editor to update the permissions to give system and myself full control and read permissions. Restarted, and I was then able to start windows audio service. Restarted again and my speaker shows up in the list of devices, but still has no audio.

In sound > advanced > more sound settings > right click on my speaker > test I get Error: Failed to play test tone.

In advanced > more sound settings > with my speaker selected click properties > when I select the Enhancements tab, all sound windows crash.

Answer 1

Kapil Arya 38,501 Volunteer Moderator

Looks like you've audio driver missing. You may need to install it from your device manufacturer's website.

0 comments

Answer 2

Hi, good day!

To help narrow down the cause

What is the make and exact model of your laptop?

In Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers, do you see an audio device listed? Is there a yellow warning icon?

Under Device Manager > Other devices, is there an Unknown device or anything with a yellow exclamation mark?

In the meantime, please try uninstalling the audio device from Device Manager

Right-click Start and select Device Manager.

Expand Sound, video and game controllers.

Right-click the listed audio device (Realtek Audio) and select Uninstall device.

If you see “Attempt to remove the driver for this device,” check the box if available, then select Uninstall.

Restart the laptop. Windows should attempt to reinstall the audio driver automatically.

I look forward to receiving your update and I'm willing to collaborate with you till we resolve the issue. Do keep me informed by clicking "Add comment" below.