Windows 10: Audio Wizard could not start after system repair and all OK

How I got to this point is a little odd. I hope forum members can help get me out of it.

The computer is a Dell XPS 15 9530. It was upgraded to Windows 10 from Windows 8.1, with Dragon and Skype working before and after the upgrade. The computer crashed, and was repaired by Dell. After the repair, I installed Dragon and Skype again, and both worked with an Andrea WNC 1500 wireless headset that uses a USB dongle . I use Dragon a lot and Skype occasionally.

Then Dragon started complaining about the quality/level of the sound from the microphone. I checked the microphone from within Dragon, and also (IIRC) from Windows Sound Recognition.

At some point, the Windows Speech Recognition "Set Up Microphone" generated an error window that I've never seen before on any computer. At the top of the window is "Window could not launch". then "Window could not start, and then "make sure your audio hardware is working and check your audio configuration in the Audio Devices and Sound Themes control panel."

<img src="https://www.tenforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=131863&stc=1" attachmentid="131863" alt="" id="vbattach_131863" class="previewthumb">

I know the headset is working - both headphones and microphone. I checked it on another Windows 10 laptop which is how I know both are working fine.

I guess I shouldn't be too concerned about the funky error window - there is no Audio Devices and Sound Themes entry in the control panel.

I've checked that the drivers are up-to-date, and uninstalled USB audio devices and let them reinstall.

The Wizard error only shows up for the Andrea device. If I disable the Andrea and enable the built-in Realtek microphone the wizard works fine.

Searching online for solutions and trying them hasn't turned up any solution.

Any ideas would be most appreciated. Dragon with this headset is important for my productivity.

Thanks
Mike

:)

 

Audio

Every time I start up my computer I get a message "Wizard could not launch" - " The wizard could not start - Make sure your audio hardware is working properly and check your audio configuration in the audio device and sound themes panel". The thing I am
having no problems with any audio at all. But want to stop this from continually coming up at start up. Anyone else having this problem and found a solution please help!

 

Microphone Issues

I am having some trouble using my microphone. When I go to "Recording Devices", Select the only microphone that has the stack of horizontal bars (this is the mic that is plugged in the back of the computer), and click configure, Under "Speech Recognition"
> "Set up Microphone", and the resulting popup says, "Wizard could not launch - The Wizard could not start - Make sure your audio hardware is working properly and check your audio configuration in the Audio Devices and Sound Themes control panel."

I can't get anywhere after this the only option is OK. How can I fix this so I can use my microphone found on my headset "Salar KX101 Gaming Headset".

 

I fixed it! here is roughly what I did in case others can benefit from my experience. "Roughly" because there were quite a few steps and missteps, and I'm not sure exactly what all fixed it.

The main thing was several files in \windows\system32, and one in \windows\system32\drivers, all published by Andrea. By comparing with the other system that worked, and some archaic information on the Andrea Communications site, I was able to confirm that there were no drivers from Andrea needed. Deleting the files was complicated – I had to change ownership from TrustedInstaller for the folders, delete the files, and then restore ownership. I cleaned up with CCleaner, and eventually the USB dongle was recognized – although not as an audio device. I use the Windows device diagnostic tool to update the driver, and by selecting USB audio device (not Andrea), the headset moved into sound, video and game controllers. Then I was able to run the audio wizard, and finally get Dragon working again.

I still have Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed) , which may be related to this – perhaps the headset is not fully Windows 10 compliant. But I'm not sure about that, and I need to get back to real work.

Mike