Windows Audio service not running ! But it is ?

[tim30250]

this fix worked for me

I had this problem too. My audio was not working and the volume controls were inactive. Followed these steps as posted earlier and the problem was solved...


1. Click Start, type Services.msc in the Start Search box.
2. Scroll down the list of services, right-click Windows Audio and select Start.
3. Select Properties for Windows Audio and set its Startup Type to Automatic.

If the Windows Audio service does not start and you get the error Error 1068: The dependency service or group failed to start, then make sure that the following services are started and their Startup Type is set to Automatic.
Plug and Play
Multimedia Class Scheduler
Windows Audio Endpoint Builder

 

[Centaur Machine]

Can be caused by registry tweak:

I joined the forums because I had this problem for the first time today (3 times today), along with a couple of other little glitches that caused me many headaches.

I realized I had just done some 'registry tweaks'. I fixed it by doing the following.

Windows 7 may occasionally display a symptom where the screen flashes after user optimizes the computer shutdown speed. The symptom happens whenever user selects a folder or browses to new web page, the desktop which supposed to be in the background will jump or bring to front – flash out for a while, and the “Not Responding” error message will display on the top left corner. The problem is probably due to optimization to increase PC shutdown speed and decrease time required to shut down the computer.

The change can be used by Windows optimization utility or technical user who modifies the registry manually. When the setting is changed, Windows 7 may encounter lack of buffer time or other slowness.

To fix the screen flashing issue, follow steps below.

Run Registry Editor, and then delete the following registry keys:

HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop\HungAppTimeOut
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop\WaitToKillAppTimeOut
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\HungAppTimeOut
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WaitToKillAppTimeOut
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WaitToKillServiceTimeOut

Restart the computer after deletion, and the screen flashing issue on Windows 7 should be fixed.

Source: Fix Windows 7 Screen Flashes to Desktop with Not Responding Error « My Digital Life

If you don't have all of them, don't worry. I only had HungAppTimeOut and WaitToKillAppTimeOut from the second group.

For your information: By deleting those registry keys, Windows just uses the default values.

This fixes the problem "Windows Audio service not running" with the little red "x" as described in this thread.

 

[7leagueboot]

You can also right click on audio icon and click sounds and then playback. It should show an HDMI cable unplugged from your video card. Simply right click on that and choose disable to correct problem. Only do this if you donot intend to use your HDMI from your video card for sound

Having the same problem I attempted this fix but I do intend to use HDMI only now the option has vanished. How can I reactivate that please?

 

[AK86]

I had this problem too. My audio was not working and the volume controls were inactive. Followed these steps as posted earlier and the problem was solved...


1. Click Start, type Services.msc in the Start Search box.
2. Scroll down the list of services, right-click Windows Audio and select Start.
3. Select Properties for Windows Audio and set its Startup Type to Automatic.

If the Windows Audio service does not start and you get the error Error 1068: The dependency service or group failed to start, then make sure that the following services are started and their Startup Type is set to Automatic.
Plug and Play
Multimedia Class Scheduler
Windows Audio Endpoint Builder

I tried doing the things you have mentioned above, but when I tried starting the two processes (Windows Class Scheduler and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder), I got Error 126: Specific Module Could Not Be Found. My Plug and Play process is running and is set to Automatic. Other two processes are also set to Automatic, but are not starting up and I'm getting the error message. Please help out.

 

[Takhit]

I tried to install bluetooth headset and installed Broadcom drivers for this. Headset still not appears in 'Add device' list, but red cross on boot appeared. I removed 3 Broadcom oemxx.inf files from Windows\inf folder (found by date) and rebooted system. Now redcross appears on boot but goes away shortly when Windows plays it's start up sound. I am not sure if the problem is finally fixed because I do not remember how it was earlier .
BTW both Windows audio services were in 'automatic' mode all the time.

 

[superbaz]

Audio service not running solved

Ok. For everyone that's having this issue about audio service not running, if you have a bluetooth headset, it's probably off or disconnected. As soon as you reconnect it, the service starts working properly. If you don't want to see this message, you could always remove the headset from the system setup to make it go away.
I found this one out when I reconnected my Voyager pro earpiece back to the computer.

 

[Technowhiz]

Thanks guys. Adjusting the volume slider did the trick for me

 

[andsome]

mine does exactly the same as JackDinn describes
the service is actually running but tray icon says differently
minor pita but nicer if it did what it was supposed to do

simply restarting the service makes the red cross go away

i have also noticed some other erratic issues with other tray icons as well
possibly it's general issue with windows 7 as it never did such things with vista

addendum

booted the pc tonight
audio service had the red cross
clicked on it
volume slider opened
adjusted volume
red cross went away
go figure

Same here.

Just tried adjusting the audio as suggested and the red cross disappeared.

What gives?

Ditto. I have the same problem too and just made the notice disappear by adjusting the volume.

 

[White Phoenix]

A solution, I guess. Thanks to who ever figured it out and relayed the information.

Oh well, a bug like this is easy to work with and I'm sure they'll fix it eventually.

LOL How long is eventually? So far, this is the only place I have found with any solution to this problem, and this thread is two years old.

 

[TadasJA]

I see this is an old topic and I haven't read through ALL the posts, but I got this problem and I simply fixed it:

1. Right click on your volume control icon
2. Press volume control options
3. I had to tick my speakers in the box - fixed the icon momentarily

 

[Meresya]

Like everyone else this just surfaced for me as well. However, while the proposed fix may fix the system tray icon it is not fixing the real problem. I'm using a USB Titanium Sound Card, and the system sound works fine, but the icon isn't just a random glitch. Upon going into the actual setting for the sound card I find the "What You Hear" icon is no longer working, unless headphones are plugged in. It stopped working all of a sudden, and rebooting caused the red icon to show up. Any permanent fix welcome...

 

[rsedgarroman]

Sound icon with red x upon login

Its is a bug, i have three computers running Windows 7 Home, Professional, and Ultimate, all have updated sound drivers, microsoft needs to fix this problem. operating system bug, probably in the registry.

 

[rsedgarroman]

Apparently I found what is causing this problem with the sound icon showing up with a red X, when your system boots the audio service is hanging, while other system processes start. Don't know if this can fix the problem but, try this.
Go to the registry editor and look for this key:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]

find HungAppTimeout, string and delete it.

or you can add it or change the value, default value is 5000 for this device, you can change it to 9000.

if it is not present and you want to add it, right click, add new string value : HungAppTimeout, set value to 9000,
hope this helps

 

[mikep6dd]

Same problem here very randomly. Recommended fix - adjust volume - worked for me too. Still happening in Autumn 2013. Doesn't look as if anyone is attempting to fix it.

 

[jambarrey1]

Thanks cyberman...it worked..go figure!

 

[7leagueboot]

Although the solution to this issue is as simple as pie, it of course will not resolve the cause which as far as I'm aware is a corrupted icon cache. Rebuilding the icon cache corrects the problem permanently.

I was surprised to note that activating Windows 7's "God Mode" did not offer an option to rebuild the icon cache however, there are independent Windows tweaking tools that do. TweakNow Power Pack is one of them. It has some genuinely useful tools although the program is only available as shareware now. Previously, they also offered a free version which, at the time of writing, is still available on softonic.com's site. Personally, I found the $15 fee for the Pro version quite reasonable and I use the program often but do take the time to look at what else is available as there may be something even better out there.

 

[jaaam]

Hi there
My names is janet and im going to pull my hair out
I have a dell xps 410 desktop, yes i know its a dinasour ,and just put windows 7 on it and for 2 days have been trying to download all sorts of audio drivers from the dell sight and other sight too and i get no sound, i see in the audio devices , i play movie and the bar goes up and down on the playback but dont hear anything, in device manager everythings working ,no yellows ??,please help me thank you