Windows 10: Windows Audio Service running but no sound on some accounts restart fixes

Hello


I recently built a new PC and everything seemed to be working perfectly. There are 2 sound outputs, a 35mm jack headset and a monitor connected through the GPU DisplayPort.


It was only when my wife made her account that I realized something is wrong with the audio, but seemingly only for her account. She can hear system sounds (so if you change the volume on one of the devices you can hear the audible test sound) but any actual sound (Spotify, YouTube, etc...) is muted. In the Sound Settings menu I can't right click and set any device as default and clicking Test on this page doesn't play sound (the level bar remains flat as well). Again all of this works for my account so I don't believe it to be hardware related.


I have tried all these steps: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4026994/windows-10-fix-sound-problems the ONE thing that does seem to work on her account without fail is opening Services and going to the Windows Audio Service. It is set as Running and to Automatic but clicking Stop and Start (restart is not an option) seems to fix the problem completely. However next time the PC is restarted I have to do this procedure again to get her sound working.


Any ideas how to fix this permanently?


Thanks so much!

:)

 

Audio Services are not running / responding.

Charlie,

The Audio services not responding problem is very likely due to an outdated, corrupted or incompatible audio driver on your Windows. I'd like to ask, what do you mean by "to
boot in safe mode and or clean boot / wipe the system and that wouldn't be possible in my current situation"? Are you connected via domain server? Are you getting any error messages when you try to boot into safe mode and perform a clean boot?

In the meantime, I suggest that you follow these steps:

Step # 1: Restart your audio services.

1. Press Windows key + R and then type services.msc and click OK.
2. Find and right-click on "Windows Audio", then click Restart.
3. Right-click on Windows Audio one more time, this time click Properties.
4. Set the Startup type to Automatic. Click Apply > OK.
5. Do the same thing to "Windows Audio Endpoint Builder".
   

Note: If the Restart option grayed out, your Windows Audio Endpoint Builder service is not running, click Start instead.

Step # 2: Uninstall the audio driver in the Device Manager. Open Device Manager> Sound, video and game controllers> Right click the driver> Properties> Driver tab> Uninstall Device> Restart
your PC, and Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver.

Note: If the same issue persists after reinstalling the driver, please contact the audio card manufacturer's website and find and download the correct drivers for your device. Then install it on your computer manually.

You may also refer to Fix sound problems article
for more information.

 

Audio Services are not running / responding.

 

After running Audio troubleshooter error: 'one or more audio service isn't running'

Hi Peter,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community, we appreciate your interest in Windows 10.

As you receive the error message: 'one or more audio service isn't running', this might have occurred due to the audio services.

I suggest you to restart the service, set it to automatic and check if it helps.

Step 1: Stop the Windows Audio service.

• Press Windows Key + R on the keyboard and type
  services.msc, Services window gets opened.
• Search for Windows Audio service, right click on it and click on
  Stop.
• Restart the computer.

Step 2: Start the service and set it to automatic:

• Press Windows Key + R on the keyboard and type
  services.msc, Services window gets opened.
• Search for Windows Audio service, right click on it and click on
  Properties.
• Start the service, set
  Startup type to Automatic.

Hope it helps. Reply to the post with an updated status of this issue for further assistance.