Windows 10: PC audio stops working when PC is unattended for long periods of time

I am running Windows 10 ver 20H2 Build 19042.928 on an HP Elite 8300 Ultra Small. I have run Windows Update and no updates or drivers appear to be out of date. I use it as my living room PC. It is connected via HDMI to just a regular TV, and the TV is in turn connected to a soundbar using an optical cable. The problem that I am experiencing is that when the PC is left unattended for long periods of time, the sound driver just stops working. I have confirmed the problem is coming from the PC as both the TV and soundbar still work perfectly when switching the input to another device like a PS4 connected to another HDMI port. I can temporarily 'fix' the problem by running the Windows Toubleshooter where it asks me if it can scan my system, then asks if I can hear the tone it played (No, I can't) , then it asks if it can reinstall the audio driver. After it does this, the sound works fine again. The problem is that I have to do this once or twice a day. If I am gone for a long while, like sleeping or at work, when I come back to the PC next, at some point the audio will have stopped working. It never happens while I am using it, even for long periods of time, nor does it happen if it's left unattended for an hour or two. It seems to only happen if I don't use the PC for a period of maybe 6-10 hours. The PC is not going to sleep while I am gone, but the TV is off during those long periods of time (usually I think, I can't remember if this has ever happened while the TV has been left on). Does anyone know what might be causing this or is any further information needed?

:)

 

PC audio stops working when PC is unattended for long periods of time

I am running Windows 10 ver 20H2 Build 19042.928 on an HP Elite 8300 Ultra Small. I have run Windows Update and no updates or drivers appear to be out of date.

I use it as my living room PC. It is connected via HDMI to just a regular TV, and the TV is in turn connected to a soundbar using an optical cable.

The problem that I am experiencing is that when the PC is left unattended for long periods of time, the sound driver just stops working. I have confirmed the problem is coming from the PC as both the TV and soundbar still work perfectly when switching the input to another device like a PS4 connected to another HDMI port. I can temporarily 'fix' the problem by running the Windows Toubleshooter where it asks me if it can scan my system, then asks if I can hear the tone it played (No, I can't) , then it asks if it can reinstall the audio driver. After it does this, the sound works fine again. The problem is that I have to do this once or twice a day. If I am gone for a long while, like sleeping or at work, when I come back to the PC next, at some point the audio will have stopped working. It never happens while I am using it, even for long periods of time, nor does it happen if it's left unattended for an hour or two. It seems to only happen if I don't use the PC for a period of maybe 6-10 hours. The PC is not going to sleep while I am gone, but the TV is off during those long periods of time (usually I think, I can't remember if this has ever happened while the TV has been left on).

Does anyone know what might be causing this or is any further information needed?

 

Having periodic PC startup problems

Was not able to reply sooner because my periodic problem decided not to appear for a while. I tried your suggestion of holding down the power button 4-5 seconds and it worked. Problem is that this method did not cure my original problem, of course, but it did lessen the steps I have to take to get the computer to work properly. I am still hoping someone will have a solution other than wiping it clean then starting over again.

 

Mouse and keyboard stop working after long period of pc being shutdown


Here is a list of things I have done in hopes of fixing this issue:
disable legacy USB in bios
disabled fast boot
installed latest Intel chipset
installed latest set point drivers

are any of the above a waste of time or is anything above one of the suggested fixes?