Windows 10: Failed to Play Test Tone -> Never Solved

[Terraklar]

I've tried everything there is to fix it.

PC crashed one night, and then after reboot, my sound is gone. I can see the Sound icon on the task bar, I can increase-decrease sound volume, just NO SOUND. Whenever I try to "TEST" my current hardware (say I use Headphones), I only get "Error! Failed to play test tone".

Several fixes on the internet, I've tried them ALL.

Sfc/scannow -> No integrity problem found.

Services -> Restarted Windows Audio -> Several times

Registry -> Gave Local Machine Admin access -> No dice.

Chkdsk, etc -> Nada

Uninstall / delete / burn / kill etc. Drivers for Nvidia & Realtek High Definition Audio -> Nope.

Properties / Advanced / change default format (whatever I put there) -> "Error! Format not supported by the device".

Strangely enough, when I uninstall the drivers, they seem to AUTO-reinstall, as in I do scan for hardware changes and it doesn't ask me what I want to do, they're reinstalled in a matter of 5".

Also, when I check the driver details, and I get say "C:windows\system32\drivers\hdaudio.sys, I can't delete this file, either as admin, or as elevated cmd & Delete, or even after allocating ownership to my own name.

Need I go to safemode just to delete this file, and have windows 10 find it again? Dunno.

Guys, I've spent more than 4 days straight, trying to fight that, nothing works.

I need something else.

I will only reformat the pc as a last resort, my son has tons of games in it, I'm afraid I'll lose 50% of that, and my software as well.

Thanks in advance,

[kaushalmalkan11]

Technique 1: Restart Windows Audio Service

Follow these steps:

1. Hold Down Windows logo and press R key. A Run discourse box will fly up.

2. Type in services.msc in the run box and tap OK.

3. In right Services Window, discover Windows Audio from the "Name" list and right-tap on it. Snap Restart in the fly up menu. At that point the sound administration will restart.

Technique 2: Disable Audio Enhancements

1. Right-tap on the sound symbol in base right corner of desktop and select Playback devices.

2. Select Speakers and tap on Properties.

3. Tap Enhancements tab. Check the case beside Disable all enhancements (For a few Windows rendition, you may see Disable all sound effects here.), at that point click Apply button.

Experiment with some different other methods from here or here if these strategies don't work for you.