Windows 10: Sound not working and Settings app crashes on App Volume and Device Preferences

My Windows version is given as Windows 10 - Version 1803 (OS Build 17134.765). Two days ago (May 14), after installing several updates via Windows Update, my system sound stopped working. I can't get any sound from either the built-in speakers or through earphones. In addition, if I go into Settings -> System -> Sound and select "App volume and device preferences", the Settings app crashes after a second or two. This happens consistently. I've tried various troubleshooting tips that I've found online, have removed all sound drivers and downloaded & installed the sound drivers from the manufacturer (Acer) but nothing makes any difference. Thanks to anyone who can help.

:)

 

Sound: App Volume and Device Preferences Question


Hey folks -

My "search-fu" is a bit weak on this one and I haven't been able to find out whether someone else has seen and/or fixed this problem. First thing: I have multiple sound playback devices via a single USB connection into a mixer. It's 16 stereo playback devices and 16 stereo recording/line-in devices. All good. Those work fine.


In the "Sound Settings --> App volume and device preferences" window, I have various applications set to use different playback devices via the aforementioned USB connection. When I make the change in the Settings window, all is good. The application (eg: Chrome) instantly starts using the configured device. If I quit the app and restart it sometime later, it begins playing its sound over the Default sound device. Even though the Settings window still shows it attached to a different playback device. I have to change it, and change it again, and it begins playing over the correct device.

It's like Windows is forgetting that I've got the app assigned to device XYZ vs the default.

Is there some interesting work-around/fix for this?

OS is Windows 10 Pro, 64-bit, 1809.

Thanks!

 

How to add desktop shortcut to App volume device preferences?

No it's the Settings page that lets me select which audio input/output device is used by each running App

 

How to add desktop shortcut to App volume device preferences?

Don't know of a shortcut description for that page, sorry,
you could use the classic Volume Mixer though: sndvol...