Windows 10: after latest update, all of my audio devices just disappeared

PROBLEM:

all of my audio devices, all well detected and present in device manager, disappeared from sound devices. I have no sound. I can't even use my microphone

winver:




it happened after restarting for completing what it looked like an harmless .NET framework update:




no audio devices here (this applies to both playback and recording):




however, my device manager says they are all well and working:




not pictured above is my blue snowball microphone.

i tried the popular three commands for DISM repairs and sfc /scannow. it didnt help.

I tried looking for IDT or Intel SST drivers in the device manager but they were not present.

clicked uninstalled on almost all sound devices from there, and without reconnecting i tried restarting the computer. didnt help.


every other devices as far as i know work. like my keyboard, mouse, game controller, etc.


please help...

:)

 

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System specs in profile

 

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DTS is back in the audio properties, but when try to enable it, it says 'format not supported by this device.

how to fix this?

 

My audio output devices have disappeared from my HP laptop.

I have an HP laptop running Windows 10. My audio output devices have disappeared. Not just no devices installed, but no devices listed in Device Manager. Tried troubleshooting and still no devices found. Tried connecting USB speakers, but those were not
detected either.

Suggestions?