No audio device is installed

[HeidiHMH]

Just over a week ago my sound suddenly stopped working on HP Spectrex360 (possibly after an automatic windows update).  I click on sound icon and get message - No audio device is connected. I have tried troubleshooting - windows and HP assistant - to no avail. I am not tech savvy so this is very frustrating. There is a yellow triangle next to Realtek(R) audio. I have tried several times to uninstall it and restart computer. Does nothing. When I click on properties of Realtek(R) audio I get the message: 

"This device cannot start. (Code 10)

The policy object does not exist when it should"

What can I do? This is wasting so much of my time. I am internally crashing. Please help. Thanks

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @HeidiHMH,

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for reaching out!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

I understand your HP Spectre x360 is showing “No audio device installed” and you’re seeing a Code 10 error with Realtek(R) Audio. Let’s go through a few steps to help resolve this.

Restart the PC

Sometimes a simple restart after uninstalling drivers helps Windows detect the audio device again.

Make sure to fully shut down and then power on the laptop.

Check Device Manager

Press Windows + X → select Device Manager.

Expand Sound, video and game controllers.

If Realtek(R) Audio has a yellow triangle, right-click → Uninstall device → check Delete the driver software for this device if available → click Uninstall.

Restart the computer and see if Windows reinstalls the driver automatically.

Update or Reinstall Realtek Audio Driver

Go to HP Support Assistant → My devices → Updates → check for audio/driver updates and install.

If no update is available, download the latest Realtek audio driver directly from HP’s website for your Spectre x360 model.

Install the driver and restart your laptop.

Run Windows Audio Troubleshooter

Press Windows + I → System → Sound → Troubleshoot (under Output).

Follow the prompts; even if it didn’t help before, try again after reinstalling the driver.

Check Windows Updates

Sometimes updates can interfere with drivers.

Go to Windows + I → Update & Security → Windows Update → check for updates and install any pending ones.

Check BIOS Settings

Restart your laptop → press Esc (or F10) during boot to enter BIOS.

Look for Integrated Audio or Onboard Audio → make sure it’s Enabled.

Save and exit BIOS.

System Restore (if needed)

If this started after a recent Windows update, you can restore your system to a point before the update:

Press Windows + S → type Create a restore point → System Restore → follow prompts.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,

[HeidiHMH]

Hi. I've tried most of your ideas. Yes Realtek audio has a yellow triangle next to it (code 10) and I've tried multiple times to uninstall it and reboot the computer to no avail. I've done troubleshoot in windows and HP to no avail. I've done all the window updates including the Cumulative Update Preview today. I've also done a system restore (took 2.5 hours) two days ago. Can you help me with finding the latest Realtek audio driver directly from HP’s website for my Spectre x360 convertible? I've looked but can't find it. Also can you provide more detail on how to enter BIOS menu and ensure Onboard Audio is enabled? I could not figure it out. I somewhat got the menu up but the only option that appeared was to select (yes or no) the changes I made - but I had not made any changes. Thanks

[HeidiHMH]

Can someone please respond? I have not made any progress since my last post. I need help. See above. Thanks

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi,

I understand how frustrating this must be. Let’s go step by step to get your audio working again on your HP Spectre x360. I’ll provide instructions on getting the latest Realtek driver from HP and checking BIOS settings for onboard audio.

Download Latest Realtek Audio Driver for Your Spectre x360

Go to HP Customer Support – Software & Drivers.

Enter your laptop model (e.g., HP Spectre x360 13t-awxxxx) in the search box.

Select your exact model from the dropdown list.

Under Driver – Audio, look for Realtek High-Definition Audio Driver.

Download the latest version for Windows 11 (64-bit).

Once downloaded, run the installer and follow the prompts.

Restart your laptop.

Note: If there’s more than one driver version, pick the latest release date.

Check BIOS/UEFI Settings for Onboard Audio

Shut down your laptop completely.

Power it on and immediately press Esc repeatedly (or F10 on some Spectre models) to enter BIOS/UEFI menu.

Navigate to System Configuration → Device Options or Advanced (names may vary by model).

Look for Integrated Audio, Onboard Audio, or Audio Controller.

Ensure it is Enabled.

Save changes and exit BIOS (usually F10 → Yes).

If the only options you see are “Yes/No” without context, navigate carefully using the arrow keys. The option might appear under a submenu like “Device Configuration” or “System Options.”

Reinstall Audio After BIOS Check

Once the onboard audio is confirmed enabled, uninstall Realtek audio from Device Manager again, check Delete driver software.

Reboot and install the latest HP driver you downloaded.

Optional: Run HP Support Assistant Diagnostics

Open HP Support Assistant → My devices → Troubleshooting and fixes → Audio.

Run the full audio diagnostic after driver reinstall.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,

[HeidiHMH · Accepted solution]

Hello. By some miracle - I woke this morning and the sound on my laptop is working. (This followed another 1-hour session with a microsoft person yesterday which left my computer with no sound. Note - I did not restart my computer since then). Question - there is a new update available for Realtek audio now. Do I dare update???

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @HeidiHMH,

That’s wonderful news — I’m really glad to hear your sound is working again! 🎉

As for the new Realtek audio update — since everything is functioning properly right now, I’d recommend holding off on installing it immediately. Sometimes, new driver versions can reintroduce the same issue, especially if it’s a compatibility problem that was recently resolved.

Here’s what you can do instead:

Create a restore point first — Press Windows + S, type Create a restore point, and select Create. This lets you roll back easily if the sound stops working again.

Then, if you’d like to try the update later, you can install it safely knowing you have a backup.

If the sound is working fine and stable, I’d suggest waiting at least a week before applying the new Realtek update — especially since Windows updates sometimes auto-adjust driver settings.

I’m really glad we got your audio working again! 😊
If this solution helped, please consider clicking “Accepted Solution” and “Yes” under Was this reply helpful? — it helps others in the community find the fix faster. 🙌

Take care and have a great day ahead! 🚀

Best Regards,

[GRANMABL]

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I tried the Uninstall Realtek  tip you suggested at Device manager, and restarted my laptop and my VOLUME ICON repaired itself !!!  I have sound again !!!! yay!!! 

Thank You so very much!  Your knowledge is very appreactiated !  GRANMABL