Your Windows 10 is not playing any sound, and when you try to troubleshoot the issue, Windows 10 flashes a message that reads: Audio service not responding.
So what can you do now?
Well, this post is a good starting point. We’ll show you not one but three solutions to this problem.
Solution 1 – Reinstall the audio driver
As often as not, the error occurs because of outdated, incompatible, or faulty driver. The issue can get resolved once and for all if you reinstall the audio driver.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Right-click the Start button and then click Device Manager
- In the Device Manager window, expand Sound, video and game controllers. Next, right-click the audio driver and then select Uninstall device
- Click the Uninstall button
Once you’ve done that, then download and install a new driver.
You can do this manually or automatically. We’ve listed both steps; choose the one you like better.
Manual Option
Visit the audio car manufacturer’s site and locate the latest drivers for Windows 10. Make sure that the selected driver matches your variant of Windows 10. That is to say, if you use 32-bit Windows 10, the shortlisted driver should be for 32-bit Windows 10, not 64-bit.
Once you’ve found the correct driver, download and install it.
Automatic Option
Automatic driver update tools offer many benefits, the most important ones being:
- You can update device drivers automatically
- The software scans and updates all outdated or missing drivers at one go
- The tool picks the right drivers for your device and operating system, so you won’t have to worry about installing an incorrect driver by mistake
- Automatic driver updates are 100% safe
Driver Updater is one of the best driver update tools out there. Outbyte Driver Updater will give you access to a database of over 1 million drivers. It will regularly scan your PC, suggesting new driver versions to install. Driver Updater contains drivers for a variety of Windows devices. With just one click, you can update drivers in your system.
Step 1
Click here to Install and launch the app
Step 2
Scan all devices
Step 3
Install or update drivers automatically
Solution 2 – Restart the audio services
Here are the steps to follow:
- Press the Windows key and R simultaneously to launch the run dialog box
- Now type services.msc and then click the OK button
- In the right pane, locate Windows Audio service, right-click it, and then select Restart
- Again right-click Windows Audio and then select Properties
- In the Windows Audio Properties dialog box, use the drop-down menu to set the Startup type as Automatic. Click the Apply button and then the OK button
- Now again go to Services window. Locate and right-click Windows Audio Endpoint Builder and then select Restart (Note: If you see the Restart option is grayed out, that means this service is not running. Therefore, you will have to click Start in place of Restart)
- Again right-click Windows Audio Endpoint Builder and then select Properties
- In the properties dialog box, use the drop-down menu to set the Startup type as Automatic. Click the Apply button and then the OK button
- Now check if you’re able to hear some sound
Solution 3 – Ensure Windows Audio components are running
Here are the steps to follow:
- Press Windows key and R simultaneously
- In the Run dialog box, type services.msc and press the OK button
- Check
if these three Windows Audio components are running
- DCOM Server Process Launcher
- RPC Endpoint Mapper
- Remote Procedure Call (RPC)