Windows 7 Volume Icon Missing from Taskbar and Grayed Out in "Notification Area Icons"

[toxicity3440]

So all of a sudden my volume icon disappeared from the taskbar. I'd love to give you more background information but it was really that sudden. I tried to go into "Turn system icons on or off" and enable it but the pull down menu listing the on and off options is grayed out! Does anyone have any ideas for getting it back on my taskbar?

I can access all of the sound options through control panel but I'd love the icon back on my taskbar.

Thanks in advance!

 

[toxicity3440]

That seems a bit drastic. I'd much rather just fix the problem then do that.