Windows 10: Sound - speakers/headphones - stopped working on ASUS laptop

I tend to doubt the sound chip has failed. Take a look at this thread if you haven't already to see if it is of help. Sometimes installing one audio device, or one only with some audio capability, kicks out the sound device you want to be the system default for playback.

 

IMO, the realtek/conexant DAC chip on the motherboard is the last thing to ever fail on the system. I would try booting without signed driver check and see if the issue is resolved

 

I really think, that first thing you should do, is boot your device into safe mode. Then while still in safe mode fire up device manager and find ALL audio related drivers and devices, both physical and virtual, enabled and hidden. Remove every single one of those. Then finally boot into normal mode and let Windows find suitable drivers.

This procedure often solves hardware related issues.

I still doubt the hardware has physically failed, but it's rather a conflict issue in Windows that was caused by the installation of the Cisco VPN tools.

 

I appreciate the last two posts. The repair shop did boot the computer into safe mode, and into non-Windows OS's. For now, I'm content to ask, as in Post #13, if the inexpensive product I'm looking at should address my problem.

 

That USB soundcard would solve the issue IMO. However, its internal amplifier power might be weaker than the ones built-in to your laptop and therefore may not be suitable for medium high volume level (distorts easily). I would just purchase it and see if it's loud enough with your headphones.

 

The product I mentioned in post #13 above did the trick for us. Whatever the sound limitations of this product, the laptop isn't being used to listen to the NY Philharmonic or U2. And to accomplish our low-bar goal - restoring headphone-listenable sound to the computer - a $7 part easily wins over a $280 (parts and labor) MB replacement!

 

*Thumbs