Windows 10: "No output devices found" after updating audio drivers

I have a Dell XPS15 9530. I downloaded and installed quite a few drivers for my computer yesterday including some Realtek Audio driver, and ever since installing, there is an X next to the volume icon and there is no output device found, as well as no microphone found. I have tried trouble shooting which doesn't work unless and audio device is connected, and have contacted Dell support which confirmed that it is most likely a software issue.

:)

 

audio output device

My surface pro seven suddenly does not have sound. It says there is no audio output driver. I talked to someone at microsoft and they had me uninstall and reinstall updates. I cannot reinstall an audio driver because the device manager list of devices does
not even show sound as an option anymore. The rep I talked to finally said he had no more suggestions.

I am not sure how to fix this or why it happened.

 

no audio output device installed

I've tried every step that was suggested, still getting no audio output device installed.

 

No audio output device

Hello!
I have a common problem: my Windows 10 has No Audio Output Device.
System configuration:

• Lenovo Legion Y520-15IKBN (laptop)
• Windows 10 Pro, version 1909, build 18363.535;
• Current updates;

Device manager shows these audio devices:

• High Definition Audio Device (driver version 10.0.18362.356)
• Intel Display Audio (10.27.0.6)
• ASUS Xonar U3 (10.0.8.2164)

i.e. the problem persists even with an external (USB) audio device, recognized by the system.

I performed a sanity check on this issue. Sound works when I boot into Ubuntu live. Therefore, it is not a hardware problem, and is indeed a Windows problem.

Solutions that have not worked so far:

1. Audio troubleshooter (issues found: check audio device, nothing else)
2. Rolling back drivers
3. Uninstalling audio devices
4. Uninstalling any audio-related devices, incl. the likes of bluetooth speakers
5. Updating audio drivers (from both built-in drivers and from manufacturer's site)
6. Installing a generic audio device (installing a generic USB audio device does not succeed, and installing a generic Realtek device resulted in a BSOD)

Do you have any ideas for fixing this?