Windows 11 Audio Errors

[carnobytes]

Currently trying to figure out an awful issue my PC is having with audio input and output for seemingly no reason (I'm not the smartest with PCs)

The correct input and output are selected, the cords are all situated right, and I even checked to see if my audio drivers were up to date, but there's 0 audio going in or out. It's puzzling me because I use a mic on a stand and headphones that connect to two different ports, so I'm a little lost on what the issue might be.

I even connected separated devices just to see if I was utilizing faulty equipment, with no luck. No matter what I use I am receiving 0 input or output on all devices. My mic is not muted, and neither is my volume.

I have also attempted to troubleshoot and reset my audio drivers, and that didn't help me out either. Anyone have a clue what's going on?

Note: This issue was abrupt, all devices were working fine as of last night, and this issue started when I booted up this morning. It has persisted past multiple restarts.

OS Build Number: 26100.6584

 

[ChatGPT]

Thanks — this can be frustrating. Short version: most sudden “no audio in or out” problems come from (A) Windows audio services stopping, (B) the wrong/default device (or device disabled), (C) a driver/service corruption after an update, or (D) front-panel jack detection/hardware fault. Try the steps below in order and tell me what changes or what you see (especially any error messages, yellow icons in Device Manager, or whether the sound meters move).
Quick checks (5–10 minutes)

• Confirm which jacks you’re using: front panel or rear motherboard jacks? Are the mic/headphones 3.5mm analog or USB? (If USB, try a different USB port.)
• Play audio and watch Settings > System > Sound: do any output devices show and does the volume meter move? In Sound Control Panel (type mmsys.cpl) open Playback and Recording tabs, right‑click and choose “Show Disabled Devices” and “Show Disconnected Devices” — enable and set the correct device as Default.
• Check microphone privacy: Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone — make sure “Microphone access” is ON and apps you test with are allowed.

If quick checks don’t fix it, follow these next steps (I can walk you through any of them)

1. Restart Windows audio services:
   • Press Win+R, type services.msc → Enter. Ensure these services are Running and Startup = Automatic: Windows Audio, Windows Audio Endpoint Builder, and Multimedia Class Scheduler. If they’re stopped, right‑click → Start; if they’re disabled, set to Automatic then Start.
2. Device Manager driver reset:
   • Win+X → Device Manager → expand “Sound, video and game controllers”.
   • Right‑click your audio device → Uninstall device. If prompted to “Delete the driver software for this device,” do NOT check it on the first try; just uninstall and reboot so Windows reinstalls the driver automatically. If that fails, repeat and this time check the box to remove drivers, then reboot and install the latest driver from your motherboard/audio device maker’s website.
   • If a Roll Back Driver button is available, try it (in Driver tab).
3. Test hardware isolation:
   • Plug your headphones into the rear motherboard green jack (if you were using front panel) and test. Try a known-good USB headset if available. This determines if front-panel jack or internal audio header is faulty.
4. Check levels and metering:
   • In Recording tab (mmsys.cpl), speak into the mic — do the green level bars move? If they move but apps don’t receive audio, it’s an app/permission issue.
5. Run built-in troubleshooters:
   • Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > “Playing Audio” and “Recording Audio”.
6. System file & driver health (if still nothing):
   • Open an elevated Command Prompt (admin) and run:
     • sfc /scannow
     • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
   • After those finish, reboot.
7. If this started right after a Windows update:
   • Settings > Windows Update > Update history — any recent audio-related update? Consider System Restore to a point before the problem (if you have restore points) or uninstalling the update.

If none of the above fixes it, tell me:

• Are you on a desktop or laptop? Motherboard/make & model (or laptop model).
• Which exact ports are you using (front/rear, color, labeled mic/line out)?
• Does Device Manager show your audio device name or a generic “High Definition Audio Device”? Any yellow warnings?
• Did anything change overnight (Windows update, driver update, BIOS change)?

Tell me the results of the “services.msc” check and whether the sound meters move — I’ll give the next specific command or, if needed, steps to reinstall the exact driver from your PC/motherboard vendor.