Windows 10: Audio stopped working after I ended some background tasks related to audio

I tried just about every solution here https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/fix-sound-or-audio-problems-in-windows-73025246-b61c-40fb-671a-2535c7cd56c8 I am on windows 11

:)

 

Audio stopped working.

"Both the Windows Audio and the Windows Audio End Point Builder services must be running for audio to work correctly. At least one of these services isn't running."

I have tried all documented suggestions from running the Trouble Shooter, to going into the Task Manager and checking that all tasks, including related tasks, are running and even restarting, to removing the drivers and reinstalling (Realtek and Nvidia).

When I went to the suggestion to remove 'enhancements', it would not generate the system sound it was supposed to create.

Before a point that I had to run a 'restore point' restore because an earlier driver update (not related to audio as far as I know) had an error and I could not get Quicken to run, the audio had worked.

I am lost. Help.

 

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.

 

Headphones Cause Video and Audio Playback to Stop

I performed all of the steps suggested, but still no audio when any change is made in the audio source related to the output jack -

if it's changed at all from system speaker to external speaker or to headphones, audio will stop unless the computer is restarted.