Fix for Sound Missing or No Sound after Vista SP1 install
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After you install Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1), you may experience one or more of the following problems with sound:
• No sound is produced when you play audio files or run programs that have an audio component.
• The speaker symbol next to the clock in the notification area may display the following message:
No Audio Output Device is installed
• The Sound Controller in Device Manager displays a yellow exclamation point
Solution 1
Verify that the default output device is set correctly
After you install Windows Vista SP1, you may find that the default output device, also known as the playback device, has changed.
To set the default device, follow these steps
- Click Start, type Sound in the Start Search box, and then click Sound in the search results at the top of the Start menu.
- Click the Playback tab. A check mark is displayed next to the default device. For most users, the default device is Speakers.
- Click the item that you want to set as the default device, and then click Set Default.
- Click OK to save your settings and to close the Sound dialog box.
Solution 2
Reload the current sound driver
To do this, follow these steps
- Click Start, type Device Manager in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
- In the Device Manager dialog box, expand Sound, video, and game controllers.
- Locate the audio device that was included with the computer.
- Right-click the device, and then click Properties.
- Click the Driver tab.
- Click Uninstall.
- Make sure that the Delete the Driver Software for this device check box is cleared, and then click OK.
- In the Device Manager dialog box, click the Action menu, and then click Scan for hardware changes.
You should see a message that a hardware device is being installed. Additionally, the uninstalled audio device is now present in Device Manager.
- Close the Device Manager dialog box, and then determine whether you can hear sound.
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I tried both of the methods and niether of them worked for me. I have my volume settings at highest and it’s for sure unmuted. Yet no audio is comming through the speakers.
This happened without warning for me one day. Not after I installed SP1. The sound just died after about a week of doing a system restore.
I’m running an Alienware m9750 latop with integrated Realtek HD audio. The machine has worked wonders for me since I got it christmas 07. But this sound issue only happened a couple days ago and I’m yet to find a solution. Disabling, re-enabling, uninstalling, reinstalling, enabling different options, updating drivers, you name it I’ve tried it. And nothing works for me so far.
The oddest part is that I get no error messages and windows seems to think everything is working just fine. Yet I hear nothing.
If anyone can help, please email me a solution.