Windows 10: No headphone sound

Here is the sequence of events.

Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 1511 for x64-based Systems (KB3124200) - this created the problem of no sound from headphones when plugged in (normally it muted the internal speakers automatically). By the way it also changed ALL the file associations, so for instance a pdf was set to open Edge (for goodness sake!), previously i had it set to open Abobe., etc etc for jpgs, mpegs etc Also it made other changes, like Quiet hours always comes on a selected on start up - very annoying.

Did a system restore - the problem was not solved!
Windows updated itself a couple of days later (same KB as above)

Updated drivers from control panel - no change.

Just followed your advice and uninstalled both audio devices - two entries under sound video controllers - AMD high definition audio device; and high definition audio device (separate entry)

That worked!

your update history and you will see a list of all updates.
Let me know which one you think it was.[/QUOTE]

 

[/QUOTE]

Never much info on Windows 10 updates, that cumulative update shows some security fixes, i do have the same one, but only installed once, see if it failed the first time will make it show twice.Windows update may have installed an update for sound card maybe at the same time, recheck windows update history as it does update hardware drivers that are out of date.

Not sure why it changed your file association but just go to Default Programs in the Control Panel and set them back to the way you want them and Edge is the default PDF reader we know this. Quiet hours, same happens to me, believe a bug in Windows 10, just click it twice it will disappear, annoying yes but causes no issues i can see.

What i do not know is what sound device you are using in this laptop, e.g..Realtek. AMD High Def is for HDMI connection and is from your graphics card. Can be related to sound drivers and or some compatibility with Win 10. Check PC manufacturer's site for updates for sound device and all other important system drivers for Win 10.

After uninstalling this driver even though it works you will still loose settings and full functionality of your sound device, so best to try to find out why this is happening to and not leave the driver completely off with just a generic windows driver.

 

Must admit I am at a loss of how to proceed now. The speaker/headphone situation is resolved (for now!) The laptop is Acer and I have tried the audio driver from manufacturers website but it is the same as I have. Windows appears to do as it pleases, adding drivers which I do not need or desire. All my device device manager shows is AMD high def and then high definition audio device not named.

I feel totally out of control with Win 10 and it does things whether you want them or not. Win 7 gave the options of what to download or not. The only lack of functionality I now have is that when I plug in headphones there is a short gap in audio before headphone sound kicks in. Not sure what other functionality/setting I could have. Frankly I never used it before, simply plugging in headphones as necessary. It is bizarre to me that Win10 has "better" drivers than the experts - the laptop manufacturer.

Still considering going back to Win 7 then when the time is right, moving to Apple and f*** windows which honestly ha lost the plot.

Never much info on Windows 10 updates, that cumulative update shows some security fixes, i do have the same one, but only installed once, see if it failed the first time will make it show twice.Windows update may have installed an update for sound card maybe at the same time, recheck windows update history as it does update hardware drivers that are out of date.

Not sure why it changed your file association but just go to Default Programs in the Control Panel and set them back to the way you want them and Edge is the default PDF reader we know this. Quiet hours, same happens to me, believe a bug in Windows 10, just click it twice it will disappear, annoying yes but causes no issues i can see.

What i do not know is what sound device you are using in this laptop, e.g..Realtek. AMD High Def is for HDMI connection and is from your graphics card. Can be related to sound drivers and or some compatibility with Win 10. Check PC manufacturer's site for updates for sound device and all other important system drivers for Win 10.

After uninstalling this driver even though it works you will still loose settings and full functionality of your sound device, so best to try to find out why this is happening to and not leave the driver completely off with just a generic windows driver.[/QUOTE]

 

O.k. the Sound device driver is the same as the one you uninstalled from Acer. Yes, Windows update is different in that way compared to Windows 8.1 and 7 eliminating you from choosing what to install, there are ways around it. If you are updated on all system and hardware drivers usually Windows will not update it, but i know what you mean and many complain if it is a problematic driver you do not want Windows will keep offering it because it is the newest.

When i say functionality i also mean certain hooked devices (HDMI,etc..) and settings to improve or change sound are not available, e.g. whatever settings software driver has within it's (control panel).
Not here to tell you what to do as far as which operating system you should use or not. How long since upgrade has it been ?

I do not know much about your laptop except what is told to me so far. Need to decide if want to keep Windows 10, as we can try a reset or clean install. These headphones are just basic headphones that have just a 3.5mm plug.

 

I use an external usb sound card to listen to headphones and speakers. The advantage is better sound without relying on Windows Update to screw up with the drivers.

 

Limitations with Laptops compared to Desktop PC and this is what i have. I use the headphone jack from my sound card rather then the front port, this gives me better sound. Although i have to switch to headphone through my Creative Sound Sound Blaster Control panel and i also have external speakers which need to be powered on to hear them.

 

Carrotmuseum this was one of the ways to disable hardware driver installs that i knew of if it still works well.

Right click Start Menu select System then Advanced system settings. Click the Hardware tab, click Device Installation Settings, and select the “No, let me choose what to do option. Seems this setting does not show anymore, Select “Never install driver software from Windows Update.

 

I upgraded in August and spend some time most days adjusting something rather than computing! Win 10. seems to want to change things all the time. Win 7 was stable and little changed. Microsoft brought out a lemon! Ill conceived half baked software,.updated in reaction to users problems. Why should I have to spend several days trying to fix something that not broke before?

 

Have to understand one thing, Windows 7 has been around for a long time many service packs and fixes brought it to where it is today, Windows 10 is still fairly new with not all the kinks worked out of it as Windows 7 is now. Either give Windows 10 a chance or go back to 7 if you have the install media to do so, since it has been over 30 days since you upgraded only way to go back is to have the install media or a recovery partition if recovery will still work. I hear your frustrations with certain issues it happens to not only you.

" Why should I have to spend several days trying to fix something that not broke before?" Because having trouble with it now, reasons you started this thread