Lot's of reports are coming in that Windows 10 users are finding that their audio is no longer working on their computer after installing the latest Windows updates.
Windows Updates have become a complete mess lately, with the latest October 2018 Update deleting user's files, Patch Tuesday updates causing crashes because of incompatible keyboard drivers, and now users are finding that their audio drivers are broken.
While there has been no word about this from Microsoft, numerous users are posting on Reddit, the Microsoft forums, and Twitter about their audio no longer working after installing this week's Patch Tuesday updates. Windows 10 just states 'No Audio Device is installed'.
Install the Intel® Chipset Software Installation Utility. Install all of rest of the latest drivers for your board. Do not install the audio driver at this time. Use Device Manager to check if the audio device is disabled, and then install an available driver update. In Windows, search for and open Device Manager. Double-click Sound, video and game controllers.
I got 3 HP Omen Laptops today that lose sound after the windows update. The driver desapear and OS don't detect any sound devices.
— Rick (@Bold_Rick) October 12, 2018
@Windows Installed a new update last night and now I have “no audio output device” installed HELP!! It was working fine before the update last night and I need to get this problem sorted ASAP as I’m in uni and need to watch/listen to recorded lectures to revise!!! pic.twitter.com/d5d6kYGf62
— Megan Evans (@regally_evil) October 12, 2018
Users have tweeted to the Microsoft Twitter account about this problem and they have responded that they are investigating the matter.
According to the reports, this is not an isolated issue and is affecting computer using Realtek, Intel, and other audio drivers. Thankfully, users have come up with a solution on their own, which is described below.
How to fix broken audio in Windows 10
Below are two methods that can be used to try and resolve the audio issue. The first method is one provided by a Microsoft employee and the second is one provided by a user on Reddit that others had said worked.
Method 1:
A Microsoft employee stated that Microsoft had pushed out an incorrect audio driver for a short period of time and that it was causing the audio problems people are having. He suggested that you follow these steps to resolve the problem:
An Intel audio driver was incorrectly pushed to devices via Windows Update for a short period of time earlier this week. After receiving reports from users that their audio no longer works, we immediately removed it and started investigating. If your audio broke recently, and you're running Windows 10 version 1803 or above, please check to see if the incorrect driver was installed. To regain audio, we recommend you uninstall the driver.
Type Device Manager in the search box
Find and expand Sound, video, and game controllers
Look for a Realtek device, or a device that has a yellow triangle with an exclamation point
Click on the device to select it
From the View menu, choose Devices by connection
Look at the parent device - this will be called something like 'Intel SST Audio Controller' (Intel Smart Sound Technology driver version 09.21.00.3755)
Right-click the controller device
Choose Properties
You should get a dialog like below. Click on the Driver tab as shown.
If the driver version is 9.21.0.3755, you have the driver that was sent to you incorrectly.
Click Uninstall Device. You will get a popup asking if you want to remove the driver too, as shown.
Check the checkbox as shown, so the driver will be removed.
Click Uninstall.
When the driver is uninstalled, reboot your system.
Your audio (speakers and headphones) should now work.
Method 2:
In a Reddit comment, a user posted a solution that has been restoring the audio for numerous people who have tried.
Open the Windows 10 Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and then selecting Device Manager as shown below.
Scroll down and expand the section called Sound, video and game controllers.
You should now see a list of audio devices. Look for a device that has SST as part of the name, right-click on it, and select Update Driver as shown below. For example on my computer it was called Realtek High Definition Audio(SST). Others have seen Intel Smart Sound Technology driver (SST).
A window will open asking if you want to search or browse for a driver. Click on the Browse my computer for driver software.
At the next screen, click on the Next button.
Then select High Definition Audio and click Next.
Your audio should be now be working in Windows 10.
If this does not work, please let us know and we will investigate further.
Updated 10/13/18 12:07 AM EST: Updated to include a method suggested by a Microsoft employee.