Speakers are repeatedly disabled

[Aubrey]

At what appears to be random times, my speakers become disabled - red X over speaker icon at lower right of screen. This is occurring more and more frequently. I have discovered I can reconnect the speakers by updating the driver for the High Definition Audio Device. But only if I "Browse my computer for driver software" and then do a manual update by "Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer". How do I solve this problem permanently?

 

[fireberd]

If all you have is "High Definition Audio" that indicates the generic basic function Windows installed sound driver and not the correct sound driver for the sound hardware.

There is no 220E listed at Dell, either a 220 (full size tower) or 220S (compact case tower). However, both the 220 and 220S have the same Realtek sound chip.

First step, download and install the Realtek from the Dell downloads. You can access the downloads for your PC using the Service Tag number.
Support | Dell US

 

[Aubrey]

Yes, Vostro 220s.
I have installed the Realtek driver as you recommended. I'll wait and see if the problem recurs.
Fireberd, thanks very much for your help.

 

[Keithuk]

I sometimes start my Samsung NP350E7C-A04UK laptop and the speaker icon in the systray has a red x with it and if you hold you mouse over it says The Audio service is not running. Sound comes out of the inbuilt speakers so I just ignore it.

Realtek High Definition Audio.

In Windows 7 a red 'X' may appear over the speaker icon in the notification area even though audio output functions correctly