Lost all audio after upgrade to Windows 10 21H1


  1. Posts : 406
    Windows 10 21H1
       #1

    Lost all audio after upgrade to Windows 10 21H1


    The title has it all - the other day I updated my Windows 10 to the latest version 21H1 and today I noticed that there is no sound at all. I tried reinstalling the Realtek drivers, but it did not work. In fact, the Asus program that updates the drivers (I've got Asus Rog Strix Z490-A Gaming motherboard with the latest BIOS) does not work properly, but starting the Realtek setup manually produces strange effect. it first uninstalls the driver, reboots, then I hear sounds, then it installs the driver, reboots, then I do not hear sounds. Simply uninstalling driver in the Device manager does not do anything. Any ideas? Is there a way to find an updated Realtek driver?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 42,737
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    Suggest you find a driver configured for a similar ASUS board for an ASUS PC from ASUS' site, and try that.

    You may need to take steps to ensure it is not replaced.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 1,935
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
       #3

    latest Realtek HD UAD audio driver for Asus ROG Strix Z490-A Gaming board listed is v6.0.8960.1 w/ Sonic Studio 3 + DTS Sound Unbound features. Asus chose to implement these extra audio options for this and similar "gaming" motherboards.

    eh never let MS nor Asus (with their asus update app) update the Realtek audio drivers w/out your consent
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 406
    Windows 10 21H1
    Thread Starter
       #4

    dalchina said:
    You may need to take steps to ensure it is not replaced.
    Not sure which steps could I take here.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 406
    Windows 10 21H1
    Thread Starter
       #5

    erpster4 said:
    latest Realtek HD UAD audio driver for Asus ROG Strix Z490-A Gaming board listed is v6.0.8960.1 w/ Sonic Studio 3 + DTS Sound Unbound features. Asus chose to implement these extra audio options for this and similar "gaming" motherboards.
    eh never let MS nor Asus (with their asus update app) update the Realtek audio drivers w/out your consent
    Well, here's the latest download available for my board from ASUS

    Lost all audio after upgrade to Windows 10 21H1-inkedcapture12_li.jpg

    This is teh driver that somehow does not work for me. I had to completely remove it from the system in order to do my online lecture today.

    CCleaner tells me that a newer version driver is available

    Lost all audio after upgrade to Windows 10 21H1-capture11.png

    Where do I get it? I don't want to trust CCleaner with delivering drivers .
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 42,737
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #6

    Not sure which steps could I take here.

    Thank you for your reply.

    If you care to look at the Tutorial section you can find tutorials to
    - stop driver updates
    - stop driver updates being included in Windows Updates
    - stop a particular piece of hardware having its driver updated
    Prevent Windows Update from Updating Specific Device Driver
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 406
    Windows 10 21H1
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Well, that's not my problem. I did not update the driver, nor did Windows update the driver for me.

    What I did update was Windows itself, from 20H2 to 21H1. After that I lost sound. What I did was to uninstall and then reinstall the driver, the same driver that was working on 20H2 and the latest one that is available on the ASUS website for my motherboard. This results in no sound. Afterwards, I just uninstalled everything Realtek (and A-Volute, Nahimic, etc.) and now I do have sound.

    When I did notice that problem, I did not have time to research before my online lecture, where I would need the sound to work, so uninstalling Realtek was my only quick solution. Now I'm not so tempted to mess with the system any further, since without the Realtek stuff (I guess, with generic Microsoft drivers) everything works exactly the same as it did before, so I'm not sure what's the point of that Realtek software is to begin with (as well as all that A-Volute-Nahimic crap). At the very least, the most important issue for me - poor audio quality of my lectures recordings - has not been affected by that driver issue at all. Peple can hear me equally well on both Zoom and Teams, but when these lectures are recorded (by both Zoom and Teams), the audio quality is poor (my words are accompanied by some sort of low frequency noise, not quite an echo since that would be repeating my words, but rather some constant humming that is not present in live streaming; I tried some noise-cancelling solution today, Krisp, and it did not solve the issue either).
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 42,737
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #8

    And thank you for your reply. Good luck to you.
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 7
    Windows 10
       #9

    I'm sorry to see that this thread appears to have dead-ended. Having just come across it today, I can also suggest checking the Microphone Privacy Settings in Windows 10 as well. There are times this feature disables audio devices and I'm not sure what the trigger is--I've had it happen with a device that's on the allow list. So for me the solution is to uninstall any audio devices from Device Manager, restart, wait a few minutes while plug & play reinstalls everything, and then check the Microphone Privacy Settings to be sure all the correct apps are allowed.
    On a side note to the OP, I suggest being cautious about letting CCleaner or any other third-party app make driver choices for you or provide you with driver files. If you do need to pull down a new installer, try to get it straight from the manufacturer where possible.
    Hope this helps anyone who comes across this thread.
      My Computer


 

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