Windows 10: Audio Device Randomly Stops Working

Hello,


I use a TV as a monitor, and as of the April update, the audio driver seems to be exceptionally unstable. I have isolated the issue to Windows, by using different devices with the HDMI port on the TV, different cables, and different ports from my PC to the TV. Everything works unless the PC is used. Typically, when I boot up the PC, the audio will work, then, when I log off and back on, the audio device will be gone, and I will have to scan my PC for new devices in Device Manager. Sometimes, the audio will work, but then I will pause my video or music, and then unpause it, and the audio will stop working. In these cases, sometimes unplugging the cable and plugging it back in works, but it's random at best when that helps.


When looking in my Event Log, I don't see any disconnect events or anything at a glance for this, it just seems like Windows is forgetting where the audio output device is every once it a while.


This issue is extremely annoying, I have to deal with this multiple times per day. Any solutions you could offer would be appreciated.


The PC is custom built, audio is provided through the HDMI port on the GPU, which is an Nvidia GTX 1080. Issue occurred when Windows was patched, not the GPU.

:)

 

audio randomly stops working

Hello all,

My computer is currently connected to my Vizio E420-A0 TV (HDMI). My audio randomly stops working and the display audio device disappears. When it works I can see it in device manager:








And when it stops working it disappears:





The driver seems to be up to date:





Disconnecting and reconnecting the cable doesn't help or turning the TV off and on, but rebooting fixes it. Any ideas?

 

Audio services not responding - Audio randomly stopped working

Try the equivalent on your system of this (not all terms may precisely match your setup)

(from Guide: How to Fix Audio Not Working in Windows 10 : Windows10)

Note: as you may have found, a number of threads on this topic are unsolved.

You may wish to consider doing an in-place upgrade repair install if no solution is found.

Also consider the possibility of hardware failure. You could check the card is seated, cables secure.

 

Audio services not responding - Audio randomly stopped working