No Audio Output Device is Installed

Zhall · 03 Aug 2014

I believe this is an issue regarding an update.

I had this issue before and did a system restore to back before I had installed a certain program, and the issue went away.

Now however, I do not have a restore point that will go far enough back.

I started up my computer today and I was hit with the "No Audio Output Device is Installed" message, showing a red x circle by my speaker icon.

When I click on it it detects problems then attempts to install the driver needed.

Every time it attempts to do this it fails.

The driver is the "High Definition Audio Device"

Upon entering device manager everything related to sound has a yellow caution triangle next to it stating that...

Code:

Windows cannot start this hardware device because its configuration information (in the registry) is incomplete or damaged. (Code 19)

I have tried the following

Uninstalling everything on the "Sound, video and game controllers" list, and attempting to reinstall
Installing the realtek audio drivers from their site
Removing my sound card and attempting to use onboard sound

The sound card I'm using is an old sound blaster live card, I don't think I even need it, but for some reason I still use it. (perhaps that will become apparent)

Thanks

Scorcht · 03 Aug 2014

Try control panel(large icons) and going into your sound, and manage or view sound devices. If there is nothing in your output(playback), then thats a problem. If there is, then select your speakers/headset/anything you use that generates audo that is connected to your computer that. If all else fails, try a new soundcard

Zhall · 03 Aug 2014

Did you even read my post?

Mellon Head · 04 Aug 2014

Could you fill out your system specs, please? It makes it easier to help if we know what kind of computer we're dealing with.

Thanks.

Zhall · 04 Aug 2014

Abit Ax78 motherboard
AMD Phenom 9850 2.5GHZ
Windows 7 Home Premium
Sound Blaster X-Fi
Radeon HD 6970

Mellon Head · 04 Aug 2014

Sometimes Radeon cards will disable other audio sources in favor of the HDMI port on the video card, but I don't know that that would cause a driver issue or driver failure.

You say that this happened after you installed a certain program in your OP. What happens if you uninstall that program? Maybe the program and your audio driver aren't compatible.

Zhall · 05 Aug 2014

This has happened twice now, last time uninstalling that program helped.

This time it happened randomly, with no program to blame.

I believe I know what you mean about the video card, but incase I don't, what are the specifics on that?

Supposedly the sound drivers come with catalyst 14.4, but every time I install it there's no sound drivers?

When I go to the sound control panel it is literally empty. (typically 4-5 output and 3 input devices listed)

Zhall · 05 Aug 2014

I just tried booting into linux (puppy slacko) and trying to play some audio, no luck there.

I believe I have yet another soundcard laying around, perhaps I will try it

lindela · 05 Aug 2014

try downloading the IDT universal sound driver, its sounds like sound driver conflict between the onboard sound devices and and your plugin devices.

Mellon Head · 05 Aug 2014

Zhall said:

I believe I know what you mean about the video card, but incase I don't, what are the specifics on that?

Supposedly the sound drivers come with catalyst 14.4, but every time I install it there's no sound drivers?

When I go to the sound control panel it is literally empty. (typically 4-5 output and 3 input devices listed)

I've heard of it happening where the system suddenly gets it in it's head to use the graphics card's HDMI sound output to the exclusion of all else in the system, and it can be very difficult to get it set back to normal. I haven't had it happen personally, so I can't give you specifics, sorry.

What does show up in the sound control panel?

Zhall said:

I just tried booting into linux (puppy slacko) and trying to play some audio, no luck there.

I believe I have yet another soundcard laying around, perhaps I will try it

If Linux won't play audio either, you might be looking at a hardware fault.