Windows 10: Audio Service not starting - access denied

My audio service is refusing to start regardless of what I try on Windows 10 1803.

I have attempted the following:

• Re-installing audio drivers
• Updating audio drivers
• A full virus scan
• A disk check
• An SFC check
• Making sure all the dependencies of the Windows Audio Service are running

None of these have succeeded in changing anything.
Whenever I try to start the audio service, I get this error message:



This made me think it is potentially the firewall messing everything up, so I start up Windows Defender and get this error message:



Are these two problems related, and does anyone know how I can fix it?

:)

 

Windows could not start the Windows Audio Service on Local Computer

I have no audio on my PC. After searching for advice I started the services.msc program and the Windows Audio service wasn't running. I tried starting it manually but I get the message "Windows could not start the Windows Audio Service on Local Computer.\n
Error 0x80070005: access is denied." The service properties Log On tab shows to Log on as: This account - Local Service.

I have tried switching to run as a Local System account. This got rid of the red cross over the speaker icon in the system icon tray but I still didn't get audio.

Any suggestions?

 

Remote access denied.

Hi Paul,

To resolve your concern about remote access denied, follow the steps below:

• Press the Windows logo+R on your keyboard.
• Type services.msc on the Run box.
• Open Remote Desktop Services.
• Go to the Log On tab.
• Select This account: Network Service.
• Click Apply, and then OK.

Let us know how it goes.