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Audio outputs do not appear when clicking volume icon in taskbar until sound settings are opened

When waking my computer from sleep or I think sometimes when changing the video output mode (PC screen only, extend, etc.), other audio output sources aside from the currently selected one - including even the default device if it is not the current one in use - do not appear in the taskbar (see here: https://i.imgur.com/KUFKyqh.png).  However, when I right click the volume icon and open the "Sounds" setting menu, all of them that should be there immediately become available as options (https://i.imgur.com/HSc6EXG.png?1).

I have tried the "playing audio" troubleshooter, and the audio drivers for all devices are up to date.

Hi Epiqu1n,

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Community.

Appreciate your efforts to work on this issue.

I can understand the situation must be difficult for you when the system doesn't work as it should.

Please answer these questions to get more clarity on this issue:

  1. Are you aware of any changes made to the PC prior to this issue?

  2. What is the make and model of the PC?

  3. Does this issue occur in a different user account?

However, let us try these methods one by one to check if that helps.

Method A: Restart Windows Explorer.

  1. Right-click your mouse in the taskbar, and choose Task Manager.

  2. In the Process tab, find the Windows Explorer. Then right-click it to select Restart.

Once this is done check if that helps you with this issue.

Method B: Change Audio Services.

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.

  2. Type Services.msc in the run box and click OK to open it.

  3. Scroll down to find out Windows audio and right click it to open its Properties.

  4. Locate Startup type and set it as Automatic.

  5. Click Stop and after two minutes, click Start again.

Once this is done, remember to restart the computer to check if that makes any difference.

Let us know how it goes.

Regards,

Srimadhwa B

Microsoft Community-Moderator

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Sorry about the delay, I've been trying to get a clip just to show exactly what's going on but every time I either forget to record one or ShadowPlay had decided to stop Instant Replay.  I'll keep trying.

To answer your questions:

  1. I recently upgraded my CPU and motherboard.  I can't recall if this issue occurred before then but it's possible that it started only after the change.
  2. Here is my system setup: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/Q7QRxG
  3. I am the only user of this computer

Regarding method A, I have restarted my computer (and thus explorer) multiple times ever since the issue started occurring but it continues to happen.  As for method B, the Windows Audio service was already set to automatic and restarting it did not fix the issue.

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Question Info

Last updated January 5, 2023 Views 212 Applies to: