Sound problem on Windows Vista: Error: No audio output device is installed

After update, I lose my sound and find a red x over my sound icon. Then I get the error message "no audio output device is installed"

If you have the same problem as main, try this solution:

• Find the latest version of your driver, download it.
• Uninstall your current driver and reboot
• Install the new one.

After uninstalling the driver, rebooting your computer, Vista will automatically reinstall it, but the audio still may not work. Amazingly though, sometimes after putting the system in hibernate mode and coming back, the audio worked.

Hope it helps if it doesn't they have other suggestions.

I have experienced the same problem and tried reinstalling driver several times. It does not help.

I still have the red X indicating no audio device is installed (and no sound) yet the device manager says the sound/driver is working properly. The sound was working fine yesterday.

Nothing I've done helps. From what I've been reading in the Forums, ppl try various things and it works for their system but maybe not for others.

Originally Posted by TawnyM

I have experienced the same problem and tried reinstalling driver several times. It does not help.

I still have the red X indicating no audio device is installed (and no sound) yet the device manager says the sound/driver is working properly. The sound was working fine yesterday.

Nothing I've done helps. From what I've been reading in the Forums, ppl try various things and it works for their system but maybe not for others.

It seems like the most popular solution to the problem is the following:

1. Open "Control Panel".
2. Open "System" if you're using the "Classic View" of the Control Panel. Otherwise open the "Performance and Maintenance" and then open "System".
3. On the left side under Tasks click on the "Device Manager".
4. Scroll down to "Sound, video and game controllers".
5. Right click "Sound, video and game controllers" and select Scan for Hardware changes.

You can also remove the driver and allow Windows to install it again:

1. Click "Start".
2. Select "Run".
3. Type "devmgmt.msc" (without quotes) and press "Enter".
4. Double click on "Sound, video and game controllers".
5. Right click on the device and select "Uninstall" (do not check the "Delete driver" option).
6. In the Device Manager click "Action" -> "Scan for Hardware changes"

You can also update your driver (if you started getting the "no audio output device is installed" error after updating Windows).

First of all you can allow Windows to try to update the driver:

1. Open "Control Panel".
2. Open "System".
3. On the left side under Tasks click on the "Device Manager".
4. Double click on "Sound, video and game controllers".
5. Right click on the device and select "Update driver software"
6. Choose the top option and wait for windows to find updates
7. A window should pop up saying that Windows has updated the following programs
8. Click "Ok" and you should be good

You can also download the latest version of the driver and install it. If you have an onboard sound card, go to the support section of the manufacturer of your PC (such as Dell/HP/Toshiba/Sony/Fujitsu/Lenovo/Acer) and download an audio driver for your model of the PC that works on Windows Vista.

If you can't find a driver, you need to know the sound card that your PC has. Then you can go to the web-site of RealTek, Sigmatel, Creative,... and download a driver for your particular model that works on Windows Vista.

If the driver has an installer, you can easily install it. If the driver doesn't come with an installer, unpack it and:

1. Open "Control Panel".
2. Open "System".
3. On the left side under Tasks click on the "Device Manager".
4. Scroll down to "Sound, video and game controller"
5. Open that and you will see "High definition audio"
6. Right click and select "Update driver software"
7. In the new window choose "Browse my computer" and "Let me pick..."
8. Uncheck the "Show compatible hardware" box
9. Click "Have disk"
10. Browse to the location that you extracted your driver files to and just keep opening the Vista folder until you get to a bunch of .INF files. Don't select any of those just have that open. Your computer should have the one it needs in the file name box. Just click open and then "OK".
11. The window should open with a list of drivers. Choose your one and hit "Next" to install it.

If your device has stopped working after updating your driver you can roll it back.

When updating your driver, you can get a message that you have the highest update available. Click the "Roll back driver" button.

You can also roll back your driver from the Device Manager:

1. Click "Start".
2. Select "Run".
3. Type "devmgmt.msc" (without quotes) and press "Enter".
4. Double click on "Sound, video and game controllers".
5. Right click on the device and select "Properties".
6. Select the "Driver" tab and click the "Roll back" button

If you started getting "No audio output device is installed" error after using sleep or hibernation mode, you need to install the Update for Windows Vista KB929685:

Originally Posted by Microsoft

Install this update to address an issue
that may prevent high-definition audio devices from initializing
after resuming the system from a sleep or hibernation state.

Restart your computer after installing the KB929685 update. You may also need to re-install the driver or remove the driver and restart OS after installing the KB929685 update.

I had the same problem.

Find the latest version of your driver, download it, uninstall your current driver and install the new one. After uninstalling the driver and reboot it to automatically reinstall it, the audio still may not work. Amazingly though, sometimes after putting the system in hibernate mode and coming back, the audio worked.

Hope it helps