📎 AI Summary:
The thread discusses a recurring issue where the user's sound stops working unexpectedly, requiring a service restart to fix. The original poster seeks advice on identifying which application might be causing the device to be in use, despite no apparent application using it. Contributors suggest using tools like 'Autoruns' to see running processes and re-installing audio drivers, with one recommending checking Device Manager and using Process Explorer to identify driver handles, though the exact cause remains unclear. The overall sentiment indicates troubleshooting steps are being shared, but a definitive solution hasn't been reached.
L

Link1227

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2012
Messages
14
Thread Author #1
Hi,
I'm having an issue where my sound stops working after awhile and to get it to work, I either have to restart or go to services and stop/start the audiosrv service. When it stops working, I try to test the sound and it says this device is being used by another application, but there's no application using it. Any help would be appreciated, I feel like I've tried everything.
 

Solution
Neemobeer
You can't really tell what is using the device as far as I know, but you can go into Device Manager > Sound. Right click on your sound card and look at the driver details. You can use procexp to find handles to any of the files listed. (.sys files are the actual drivers) these are generally what is using the sound card.
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kemical

kemical

Essential Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2007
Messages
36,163
#2
Link1227 said:
Hi,
I'm having an issue where my sound stops working after awhile and to get it to work, I either have to restart or go to services and stop/start the audiosrv service. When it stops working, I try to test the sound and it says this device is being used by another application, but there's no application using it. Any help would be appreciated, I feel like I've tried everything.
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Hi,
if you download an app called 'Autoruns' you should be able to see whats running:
Autoruns for Windows

I would also try re-installing the audio driver making sure you uninstall it first.
 

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Neemobeer

Neemobeer

Windows Forum Team
Staff member
Joined
Jul 4, 2015
Messages
8,995
#4
You can't really tell what is using the device as far as I know, but you can go into Device Manager > Sound. Right click on your sound card and look at the driver details. You can use procexp to find handles to any of the files listed. (.sys files are the actual drivers) these are generally what is using the sound card.
 

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