No audio output after Windows Update

[CraigF1]

Hi, I recently had an issue with a windows update that resulted in me having to use my recovery key to regain access to my laptop.

When I did this everything appeared to return to normal with the one exception being my audio.  It is showing as if I have no audio device or output at all.  I have tried the quick fixes like restarting the laptop etc but nothing has worked.  It is as if I have no audio device installed in the computer.

Any ideas as to how I can get my sound back?

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @CraigF1 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

Here are the steps you can follow to restore audio functionality after a Windows update:

Check Device Manager

• Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
• Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
• If no audio device is listed, or if you see a yellow warning icon, right‑click and choose Scan for hardware changes.
• If the audio device appears, right‑click it and select Enable device.

Update or Reinstall Audio Driver

• In Device Manager, right‑click your audio device and select Update driver.
• Choose Search automatically for drivers.
• If that does not work, select Uninstall device, restart the computer, and Windows should reinstall the driver automatically.

Run Troubleshooter

• Open Settings > System > Sound.
• Scroll down and select Troubleshoot under Output.
• Follow the on‑screen instructions to detect and fix issues.

Check Playback Devices

• Right‑click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select Sound settings.
• Under Choose where to play sound, ensure the correct output device is selected.
• If no device is listed, click Add device and allow Windows to detect hardware.

Verify Services

• Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
• Locate Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder.
• Ensure both are running and set to Automatic. If stopped, right‑click and select Start.

BIOS/UEFI Check

• Restart the computer and enter BIOS/UEFI settings.
• Confirm that the onboard audio is enabled.

Windows Update

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
• Check for updates again, as sometimes driver patches are released after major updates.

By following these steps carefully, you should be able to restore your audio output. 

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[CraigF1]

Hi there, 

Thanks for your help.  I tried all of your suggestions and none worked.

However, when I carried out BIOS/UEFI check of my audio it carried out a test and it worked, so sound came through from the BIOS/UEFI check but when my computer restarted I again had no sound.  I have attached screenshots below of what I am seeing on my laptop.

[CraigF1]

This is still not working.  I believe it coincided with a windows update I installed.  Are you able to send over the link for a new audio driver and I can try and reinstall one from scratch?

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @CraigF1 

Thanks for all your efforts.

To reinstall the audio driver from scratch, here’s a clear step‑by‑step process you can follow:

Step 1: Identify Your Audio Hardware

1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
3. Note the name of the audio device (commonly Realtek High Definition Audio or similar).

 

Step 2: Uninstall the Current Driver

1. In Device Manager, right‑click the audio device.
2. Select Uninstall device.
3. Check the box for Delete the driver software for this device if available.
4. Restart your computer.

 

Step 3: Install the Latest Driver

1. Visit the official HP Drivers and Software page.
2. Enter your laptop’s exact model number.
3. Select Windows 10 or Windows 11 depending on your operating system.
4. Download the latest Audio driver package listed.
5. Run the installer and follow the on‑screen instructions.
6. Restart your computer after installation.

 

Step 4: Verify Audio Services

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Ensure Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder are set to Automatic and running.
3. If stopped, right‑click and select Start.

 

Step 5: Confirm Playback Device

1. Right‑click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select Sound settings.
2. Under Choose where to play sound, ensure the correct device is selected.
3. Test audio output.

By carefully following these steps, you should be able to restore sound functionality. If the driver installation completes successfully but audio is still missing, recheck BIOS/UEFI settings to confirm onboard audio is enabled.

Keep me posted.

Regards,

Hawks_Eye

[CraigF1]

Still having trouble with this, when I searched for the audio drivers there was no drivers at all.  I then installed the Realtek audio driver and nothing has happened.  

Carried out all instructions to the letter.

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @CraigF1 

Thanks for all your efforts and patience.

Since reinstalling the Realtek driver hasn’t resolved the issue and no audio drivers were listed on the support page, let’s go deeper with a structured approach to isolate what’s happening:

Step 1: Confirm Hardware Detection

• Press Windows + X and open Device Manager.
• Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
• If nothing is listed, expand System devices and check for “High Definition Audio Controller.”
• If that’s missing, it suggests Windows isn’t detecting the audio hardware at all.

Step 2: Use Windows Update Catalog

• Open Windows Update > View update history > Uninstall updates.
• If the audio issue started after a specific update, uninstall that update and restart.
• Then check if audio devices reappear in Device Manager.

Step 3: Manually Add Legacy Hardware

• In Device Manager, click Action > Add legacy hardware.
• Select Install the hardware that I manually select from a list.
• Choose Sound, video and game controllers and see if Realtek or High Definition Audio can be added manually.

Step 4: Verify BIOS Settings

• Restart and enter BIOS/UEFI.
• Look for Integrated Peripherals or Advanced > Onboard Devices.
• Ensure Onboard Audio is enabled.
• Save changes and restart.

Step 5: Clean Driver Installation

• Download the Realtek High Definition Audio driver package directly from the HP Drivers page for your exact model.
• Uninstall the current driver from Device Manager (check “Delete driver software”).
• Restart, then run the downloaded installer.
• Restart again after installation.

Step 6: Check Windows Audio Services

• Press Windows + R, type services.msc.
• Ensure Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder are set to Automatic and running.
• If stopped, right‑click > Start.

Step 7: Test Playback Devices

• Right‑click the speaker icon > Sound settings.
• Under Choose where to play sound, confirm the correct device is selected.
• If none appear, click Add device and let Windows detect.

If after all of these steps the audio device still doesn’t appear, the most likely causes are either the update disabling hardware detection or BIOS settings being reset during recovery. Re‑enabling onboard audio in BIOS and performing a clean driver install usually resolves this.

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye