Windows 10: volume icon has a red x on it . How do i correct this?

Up until yesterday, my PC hadn't had any issues with audio whatsoever. Everything was working fine, and I was receiving audio output from my PC's front panel through my headphones. Today, I wake up and there's a red 'X' next to the volume icon in the taskbar, and absolutely no audio comes out from anywhere.

:)

 

Red "X" on volume icon

Hi! The volume on my computer no longer works because all of a sudden there is a red "X" on the speaker icon, indicating I've turned the volume off...but I haven't! Pushing the volume buttons that are on the computer does not work. Pushing the mute
button on the computer does not work. The volume just stays muted! Can anyone please advise me on how to get the volume back on my computer? Thank you!!!

 

My computer has a red "x" on the volume

Follow the Instructions.

Fix: 'Red X Volume Icon' in windows 8, Windows 10

Regards.

 

I have normal sound but cannot remove red X on volume icon

Hello,

My volume icon has a red X on it. When i hover over it is saus "no speakers or headphones connected." My sound works normally. However, I when I click on the volume icon, instead of it showing a list on audio output choices, it goes to Edge and searches for ways to fix my audio. In SYSTEM -> SOUND I have realtek audio chosen as audio output.

I have tried finding updating the driver for my soundcard (said most updated driver already installed)
I tried SERVICES and stopping and starting Windows Audio services
I tried disabling unused audio drivers.

Most of the googled answers are for problems where there is NO sound, but my speakers are connects and sound plays. It's just the red X is always there and I cannot use the icon normally to select other audio outputs.