Audio Service on Local Computer. Error 3: The system can't find path

[pcb79]

I have been wasting so much time the past few days trying to fix this issue! Any help/direction will be much appreciated. I have been all over these forums and found SIMILAR issues, but not my exact issue.

Every time I reboot, I have reset my audio drivers. They work every time afterwards, but not until I let Windows 'fix' the problem. This has been going on for a month or so. I want to know what I can to permanently fix this...

What I have learned...I can get the 'Windows Audio' and the 'Windows Audio Endpoint Builder' to start automatically. They originally were not starting automatically. I modified the logon setting for both of these services like I read about. I found a Windows 'MicrosoftFixit50671' troubleshooter that did nothing. I manually attempted to reset the "Windows Firewall and Base Filtering Engine' the same way by modifying the logon info to no avail.

This is the error I can't get past. This pops up when I try to 'Start' the 'Audio Service' from the services.msc window. What have I done and how do I fix it? Please help!!!

"Windows could not start the Audio Service services on Local Computer. Error 3: The system cannot find the path specified."

 

[Saurabh A]

Hi pcb79,

Please check status of the 'Dependency' for 'Windows Audio Service'; and check if 'Windows Audio Endpoint Builder' is functional. You may follow these steps: Click 'Start' & type 'Services.msc' in the search box and tap 'Enter'.

Also check the following services and ensure that they show 'Status as Started & are set to Automatic':
- Audio Service
- Multimedia Class Scheduler
- Windows Audio
- Windows Audio Endpoint Builder
Note: Please create a system 'Restore Point'; for future use, if needed: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/697-system-restore-point-create.html

If the issue persists, try re-installing the 'audio drivers' to see if that helps; updating them may not work. To check the 'audio card' installed in the nit, you may follow these steps:
- Open 'Device Manager' > Expand 'Sound, Video & Game Controllers' > Right click and uninstall the 'Audio Card' drivers > Follow through with the uninstall and allow the system to restart > Allow 'Windows' to update the 'Audio drivers' automatically > Check if the issue persists (Please share the system make/model if you face ambiguity)

If you still experience issues, try to reset 'Windows Services' to 'default settings': http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/236709-services-restore-default-services-windows-7-a.html

If nothing works, please run the 'SFC Diagnostic Tool' to check the integrity of files in 'Windows': http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html
- Follow 'Option 3' to capture the CBS logs and share for investigation

I would also like to have a closer look at the 'System Logs' for a better understanding. Please check the steps listed in the following thread and share details. The tool may not find any 'Blue screen errors'; however, system logs and other information may prove useful: http://www.sevenforums.com/bsod-help-support/96879-blue-screen-death-bsod-posting-instructions.html

Hope this helps. Do reply with the findings.

 

[pcb79]

Thank you Saurabh! I had already done everything you mentioned EXCEPT the Windows Services default settings. I reloaded Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder....rebooted and then the Windows logon sounds came on when I was in the other room. <----Great feeling. lol. Thank you!

 

[Saurabh A]

Hi pcb79,

It appears that 'Windows Services' were misbehaving and resetting defaults did the trick.
Glad that the issue is fixed; thank you for confirming.