Ask a new question

Sound is messed up since new Windows 10 update

My sound is horribly messed up right now.  Voices are extremely quiet and other noises sound distorted and wrong.  I have tried updating my realtek drivers and it did not fix anything and I have tried several fixes I found from searching the web.  Nothing seems to work, so I have come here to ask for help.  This all started today after my computer installed the lastest windows 10 update.  At first everything was ok, but after a few hours on my computer the sound got really bad and no amount of restarting fixes it.  For some reason sound tests don't sound odd, but anything else from youtube videos to video games is really bad.  How can I fix this?

*update*

Since I know my monitor's built in speakers work just fine and its my headphones that don't work right is it possible they are just broken?  I assume that broken headphones would just not work at all, but is it possible they could be broken in such a way that voices do not work and everything else sounds weird?  I am skeptical of that because like I said before all the sounds tests are ok and all windows sound effects are good as well with the head phones.  I don't want to buy new headphones, but I am getting desperate and I want to know if that is a smart idea.  I also tried completely resetting my computer and the sound problems still are here except now I have to re install everything.

*Problem solved*

It was actually a defective headset and this had nothing to do with the drivers.  Either that or the audio jack on my computer is bad, but I used a different headset that plugs into a usb slot and it works perfect.  So if anyone stumbles upon this with the same problem and you do every fix suggested and nothing works it could be your headphones.

Hello,

Thank you for posting your question on Microsoft community.

I appreciate you for providing details about the issue.

This issue may occur due to corrupt audio drivers or settings.

I would suggest you to try following methods and check if it helps.

Method 1:
Run playing audio troubleshooter and check. Please follow these steps:

a. Type troubleshooting in the search box on taskbar and click on it in results.
b. Click "View all" and then click "Playing Audio".
c. Click "Next" and follow on-screen instructions.

If it does not help, use method 2.

Method 2:
Please use steps provided in this article and check the issue.
Refer:
Fix sound problems
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/fix-sound-problems#v1h=tab01

I hope this information helps.

Please do let us know if you need any further assistance.

Thank you

18 people found this reply helpful

·

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

If this is a recent occurrence then try fixing things via System Restore.

How to repair the operating system and how to restore the operating system configuration to an earlier point in time in Windows Vista (or 7, or 8, or 10).
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936212/#appliesto

See, Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Recovery\ Open System Restore

Under Playback Devices, accessed via right-click on the Volume Icon,  What entries do you have there, make sure you see all sound devices?  I have both Show Disabled Devices and Show Disconnected Devices ticked, this allows you to see all options.  Those options are visible via right-clicking on the Playback Devices page.  Make sure you have the correct device set as the default sound output.


Check out any Enhancements and try disabling them.  See if that helps?

7 people found this reply helpful

·

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

I have tried everything you suggested and none of it worked, but I did discover that my monitors speakers work for some reason.  For some reason this issue is only affecting my headphones, but not the sounds made when I do the sound tests.

3 people found this reply helpful

·

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

I tried restoring my computer to before the update 2 times now.  First time it failed and said my anti virus may have been protecting some files and the second time I turned off my anti virus and the same thing happened.   I did try the other thing you suggested and it didn't work.

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

System Restore can also be launched from Safe Mode, or even the Startup Repair options.

How to start Windows 8, or 10, in Safe Mode
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/start-windows-8-in-safe-mode/

How To Access Advanced Startup Options in Windows 8, 8.1, or 10.
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows-8/a/open-advanced-startup-options-windows-8.htm

How to perform a clean boot in Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135/en-au


How to perform a clean boot to troubleshoot a problem in Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8, or Windows 10.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/929135

1 person found this reply helpful

·

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

Hello,

Thank you for your response.

I appreciate your time.

It seems to be a software conflict.

You may also refer this article to find such software.
Refer:
Perform a clean startup to determine whether background programs are interfering with your game or program
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/331796
(Also holds good for Windows 10)

Please keep us updated.

Thank you

1 person found this reply helpful

·

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

My 2016 Dell was working fine but suddenly lost its audio function after the automatic update of Windows 10.  What a bad gift from MS! I tried different ways to fix the problem but to no avail.  The web site offered above doesn't show anything on my screen.  Some one please HELP!

2 people found this reply helpful

·

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

I have the same issue with my sound plus the lost favorites issue. I'm looking at moving to MAC if windows updates keep causing  me problems.

10 people found this reply helpful

·

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

 
 

Question Info

Last updated January 8, 2024 Views 34,692 Applies to: