Created on July 1, 2022
Recently, and I mean over the last week or so, I noticed that my sound was extremely quiet even when it was at 100. I updated the drivers, did everything I could, but installing an equaliser helped out massively, so I considered the situation done. However, today, one day after downloading said equaliser, upon turning my PC on I noticed the command prompt box opening and then immediately closing itself. I wouldn't think that was too strange until I realised that there's absolutely no sound coming from any of the outputs.
I changed my earphones, checked them on a working device, so they definitely aren't faulty. I removed then re-installed my sound drivers once again, and still nothing. I did a deep virus scan, nothing. Removed all my google cookies, history, fixed any privacy traces, nothing. I ran the troubleshooter, and once again, nothing. I can't help but feel that this has something to do with the command box that popped up today.
I've been tearing my hair out for hours trying to work out what's wrong but nothing seems to fix the issue and it doesn't help that I'm not too smart around PC's either. (Before anyone asks, I have made sure the speakers are connected properly, and that the sound isn't muted. Everything is how it should be, but there just is no sound.)
Any help or advice would be appreciated, this is getting more than frustrating at this point. :(
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Answer
Greg Carmack - Windows MVP 2010-2020 (retired)
Replied on July 1, 2022
Hi Hyesick. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, here to help you.
Is there anything more that makes you think it might be infected than just the flash of the Command Box which can be due to a startup freeloader that needs to be shut off at Startup? Have you run a full scan with the best on-demand scanner, free Malwarebyes from https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/. You can turn off the free trial in it's Account Settings if you want to keep it, which I would do because nothing else comes close to its thoroughness. But you don't need the Real Time protection if you don't get routinely infected.
I'll give you all possible solutions for Sound problems in order of priority, so please try any you've already tried again in order. If you have any problems performing any steps I'll be standing by here to help you.
1) See if you can System Restore to a point before the problem began following this guide: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-system-r...
System Restore is your first line of defense and can take you back to a point before a problem began. If it doesn't help then you can undo it. Read about it first in the tutorial above and then try restoring to just before this started.
If the problem repeats or System Restore doesn't work then check which Windows Updates were installed at Settings > Update & Security > Windows Updates > Update History, uninstall them there or System Restore again, then immediately check for and block the Updates with the Hide Updates tool explained here: https://www.howtogeek.com/223864/how-to-uninsta...
2) Update the sound driver from the PC or device maker's Support Downloads webpage for your exact model, Serial Number or Dell Service Tag. Go into Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start button, compare to make sure you also have the latest BIOS, Chipset, Display, Network and all other drivers.
If necessary try installing the driver in Safe Mode with Networking (so you have internet), or Safe Mode, accessed by one of these methods: https://www.digitalcitizen.life/4-ways-boot-saf...
Try rolling back the sound drivers Choose Sound controller and other audio devices, then Driver tab, then Roll back if available.
If no newer sound drivers then uninstall the one presently installed in Device Manager, reached by right clicking the Start Button. Restart PC to reinstall.
Try other and older drivers for your model Sound controller, too. For example, try the next oldest driver in the model's online Support Downloads list. To try all previous drivers installed on your system, in Device Manager choose Sound controller's Driver tab, then Update Driver, then Browse, then Let Me Pick.
Finally, try installing the latest Sound driver in Compatibility Mode as shown here:
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/win...
3) Restore the Windows Audio Service which may have become disabled: https://troubleshooter.xyz/wiki/fix-audio-servi...
4) Next try these checklists:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-US/help/402699...
https://www.howtogeek.com/443702/how-to-fix-sou...
5) Also reset the prompt to ask for which device was plugged in here:
https://windowsreport.com/you-just-plugged-unpl...
https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Audio/En...
https://www.dell.com/community/Windows-10/How-g...
6) Right click Volume icon in System Tray, choose Sound Settings, from the Output and Input devices dropdown menus, choose then one(s) affected to see if that helps. If not use the Troubleshoot button nearby.
7) Run the Playing Sound troubleshooter at Start button > Settings>Update & Security>Troubleshoot.
8) Go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/wiki...
Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.
9) If nothing else helps then run a Repair Install by installing the Media Creation Tool and choosing from it to Upgrade Now. This solves many problems and will also bring it up to the latest version which you need anyway and by the most stable method. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-10/m...
I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.
Update 24.10.2022