No audio, Sound window at Control Panel not responding when trying to open it

[Wendy87]

Hi, guys.

My computer (HP Envy x360), which I've had for about eight months, is having audio issues. Sometimes when I turn it on there is no audio, or when it has been on for twenty or thirty minutes the audio just goes away, even though, according to the Device Manager, the audio devices are working properly. Usually the problem solves when I restart the computer, but then the audio goes away again. I don't want to restart the computer every 10 minutes so I can have audio, this situation is extremely annoying. I've been having this issue for a couple months now. Also, these last few days I've been trying to open the Sound window at the Control Panel to check that the playback devices are working fine, and it just freezes (Not Responding is what it says on top of the frozen window). I'm not a computer expert, but I believe it has something to do with the rundll32.exe, because the only way to close the frozen Sound window is ending the rundll32.exe process through the Task Manager. I need a fix for this. Please, help!!!

[A4Apollo · Accepted solution]

Hey there! @Wendy87, Thanks for stopping by HP forums!

I understand you have audio issues with your laptop.

Don't worry I'll to help you out.

Did you make any software or hardware changes on your laptop?

Please provide the product number of your PC to assist your better.

Try the steps recommended below.

After using the troubleshooting tool, make sure your desired audio device is set as default:
In Windows, type sounds into Search. Select Change system sounds in the Search results.
Alternatively, right-click the speaker icon on the taskbar and select Playback devices.
In the Sound window, from the Playback tab, select your playback device, then click Set Default. If only one playback device is listed, it is set to default automatically.
   NOTE:
If you are having problems setting an HDMI audio device as the default playback device, refer to Troubleshooting HDMI Display and Sound Issues.

If you set speakers as your default device, proceed to the next step.
With the default playback device selected, click Configure.
Click your speaker setup in Audio channels.
   NOTE:
If you want to use HDMI output, select Digital Audio (HDMI). For more information, refer to Troubleshooting HDMI Display and Sound Issues.
Click Test to send sound to each speaker, or select an individual speaker to send sound to that speaker.
If the sound is heard correctly from each speaker, you are finished.
If the sound is missing from all or one of the speakers, or if the configuration type was changed, continue with speaker setup by clicking Next. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the speaker setup.
Test for sound. If sound problems persist, continue to the next step.
 

Refer this article to further troubleshoot audio issues.

Let me know if this helps!

Have a great day ahead! 🙂

[Wendy87]

Thanks!!! The speakers seem to be working fine for now. Hope I don't have the same issue again, but if I do, at least now I know how to troubleshoot it, and find help if it doesn't work. Thanks again!!!!