Audio stops working, "No Audio Output Device Installed"

[filmtrauma]

I'm running a Dell XPS 420, which came with Windows Vista. I decided this morning that I was going to give Windows 7 a try, backed up some media on another PC, and did a completely fresh install.

Everything worked perfectly, I didn't even have to install any drivers. My native resolution was automatically correct, the sound worked, the internet worked, everything was dandy. It worked perfectly, and for the record, I really enjoyed it. I used it for several hours, getting used to the new features and whatnot.

I went to sleep for a few hours, and then went out for a while. When I came back, the sound had stopped working. It gave me no error at the time, it just didn't work. WinAmp wouldn't play my MP3s, Youtube videos were without audio, system sounds weren't playing, and yet, the volume was enabled and at an audible level of 67. My speakers were still connected properly, too.

I figured maybe a reboot was in order, and when I restarted, there was no sound still. Now, however, the speaker taskbar icon had a red x next to it, with the words "No Audio Output Device is installed." on the tooltip. I rebooted again and there was no change.

Using the Windows 7 trouble shooter, it says that "Hardware changes might not have been detected."

The odd thing is, this has happened to me before with Windows Vista. I wanted to perform a clean re-install of Vista, and when I did so, the sound worked perfectly for a few hours, before going out again. I would re-install Vista and the sound would come back, and then go away again after several hours with no logical rhyme or reason. About five Vista reformats in, the problem ceased and it worked for upwards of a year, and was still working when I decided to try 7.

When it started happening on 7, I figured, alright, I've got nothing to lose, and re-installed again. Didn't work. Now it installed without sound at all, and three additional re-install attempts have gotten the same results.

I'd really appreciate it if maybe somebody had some ideas. I really want to give this a go for a while.

 

[Orbital Shark]

Hi filmtrauma, welcome to the forums.

While you have been asleep, Windows Update may have installed a new Sound driver for you which may have caused this error. Open Windows Update and click 'View Update History'....

You could try downloading the latest drivers from the hardware manufacturer, a lot are now supporting Windows 7 too..

Also, is your sound hardware plugged in (to the motherboard) securely? It's rare but i've dealt with some cases of hardware coming loose, might be worth a look. Another thing to check may be the temperature of the card, it may be getting overly hot due to a dust build up (might not be, i'm not 100% up-to-date on all sound hardware).

Hope this helps

 

[Fisherking]

I had the same problem on a Dell Dimension 5000 - I went into Device Manager, clicked on Audio and then driver. From there i clicked on Update driver and then let it look on the internet for a suitable driver.

Once it located it, it was installed and works perfectly now.

 

[hakutt]

Hi, I have a HP Pavilion dv 6915 nr and I have the very same problem. I installed windows 7 and the audio was working fine initially but the next morning it wasn't. I found that the BIOS had to be updated and I updated it - audio started working only to go off after a bit. Then, I found that the nvidia chipset was missing its driver and installed it and the audio started working again - but went off after a few hours again. Every now and then I found that the audio was suddenly working but once I started playing music or watching video, the audio output would just stop after a bit. Restarting the player sometimes worked. But eventually my computer would just restart for no reason and "no audio output device is installed" would be back.

I tried inplace upgradation - with same results: audio started working but would go off eventually. Tried upgradation again : audio did not start woking immediately - but suddenly after a few hours it was working and when I checked the drivers, it said the driver was from Microsoft! Ofcourse the audio stopped working eventually again. (Whenever I say the audio stopped working I mean that I got the "No audio output device is installed" message and the device would not even be listed under device manager and there will be a red cross over the volume icon in the system tray).

Today I performed a thorough clean installation (formatted my C drive) and still after installing windows 7 again, the audio is not working. Apart from the fact that the audio device is not listed under device manager, This device does not have driver : Coprocessor. On starting the windows troubleshooting, I get the result that windows is unable to install the driver for the device. It also says that it has a solution and when I follow it, it says that a chipset is missing its driver and takes me to the link where I can download the nvidia driver for WIndows 7. I install it - but it is like it has not been installed at all. The coprocessor still does not have a driver - troubleshooting it takes me through the very same steps and eventually takes me to the link where I get to download the nvidia driver. I have tried installing this driver in compatibility mode even though the driver says it is for windows 7 - no luck. For some reason installing this driver (though it seems to install successfully) has no effect at all.

Have you guys who have had similar issues been able to resolve it. Can someone suggest what I can do? How do I figure out if the problem is with the chipset or the driver? I feel strongly that if I get the chipset to work properly I will get my audio fixed - could I be wrong?

I would greatly appreciate any light you can shed on this. Thanks!!

 

[MichaelDavies]

I have a dell XPS 420 with audio problems as well. Dell has been no help. I installed Windows 7 x64 some 3 months ago and have had, until a week ago no problems. Now I have no sound and an error message saying "no audio output device is installed".

Everything is ok in bios in that onboard audio is set to auto. I have no 'Sound' category under Device Manager yet there is a High Definition Audio Controller installed under Device Manager / System Devices. This is showing a Microsoft generic driver 6.1.7600.16385 is installed and working ok ~ but still No Device Installed!

I’ve tried (5 times) to delete the Microsoft HD Audio driver and reload the Dell SigmaTel driver but everytime I do this it comes up with another error stating that the device could not be located ~ shut down and reboot.

Do I simply go out and buy a third party card to fix the problem or is there a solution at hand?

 

[neo101]

M Davies

If it's worth trying > I have seen people mention they deleted Msoft "High Def Audio" driver in "safe mode"

Reboot back into safe mode and load motherboard specific H.D. audio driver (can you do this?) >

Reboot back into normal windows

 

[MichaelDavies]

neo101 - thanks for the suggestion. As soon as I rebooted in the usual manner the volume control showed the now usual red cross on it and the No Audio Output Device reappeared.

Aphelion - I am indeed new to this forum seeking advice to a problem that the manufacturers of my PC can not solve. I assure you the post is legitimate.

In sheer frustration I installed a Creative Soundblaster card on Friday. Turned off the onboard sound device in BIOS and booted normally. Works perfectly.

 

[Aphelion]

Aphelion - I am indeed new to this forum seeking advice to a problem that the manufacturers of my PC can not solve. I assure you the post is legitimate.

Michael, the post I was referring to was removed by an administrator and had nothing to do with your legitimate inquiry, sorry for the confusion.

(I should have deleted my post... done)

Ap

 

[flordeleon]

I have the same problem, Michael where can I find a Creative Soundblaster card?, what is this exactly for??, could you give me a link??, its a general card or do I have to pay attention to my labtop model??

I have windows 7 and a hp dv2815nr.

Please help me. I am desperate.. It has been already a year without sound, I dont know what else to do. (I cant spend money in a new labtop ...)