SOUND PROBLEMS WITH AN ACER DESKTOP

Peter Axon 0 Reputation points
2026-10-01T12:19:03.2433333+00:00

I currently have no sound on my Acer desktop. There is a white cross on my sound bar which says there is no sound device installed. However a check with Device Manager says Realtek is installed and working correctly. While i am about it my computer does have a microphone installed which has also fallen victim to the not working ethic. It hasn't been operational for over a year.

Any ideas?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers
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  1. Peter Axon 0 Reputation points
    2026-10-04T10:27:22.0166667+00:00

    Hi Emma:

    Further to yesterday's reply. the following might help:

    Where the sound motif appears on the task bar there is a white cross on a black circle. Open that and the bottom line - the volume indicator - is, I suppose, to use your terminology - greyed out. It is of a lesser colour than the line above and the volume control will not slide along.

    Also, if I click on Settings and go to Sound I am told both sound for the built-in Realtek speakers and the microphone are inoperable. Ie neither is connected.

    Any help?

    Peter

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  2. Peter Axon 0 Reputation points
    2026-10-03T13:35:02.5066667+00:00

    Hello again, Emma:

    There are four items showing under Sound video and game controllers. They are:

    Intel Smart Sound Technology for Digital Microphones

    Intel Smart Sound Technology for USB Audio

    Realtek (R) Audio

    USB PnP Audio Device.

    There are no yellow warning symbols in Systems devices

    And no greyed out devices appear in hidden devices.

    Kind regards

    Peter

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  3. Emma1-N 13,430 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-10-02T00:17:56.5066667+00:00

    Welcome Peter Axon,

    Thank you for posting to the Microsoft Q&A forum.

    To help narrow this down, could you tell us:

    • Which version of Windows are you using (Windows 10 or Windows 11)?
    • Did the audio stop working recently, or has it been missing for a long time?
    • Does your Acer model use the built-in speakers, or are external speakers connected?

    In the meantime, please try these quick checks:

    • Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
    • Find Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder"
    • Ensure both services show Running and Automatic. If not, right-click each service and select Start

    Then check whether an audio device now appears.

    Also, please open Settings > System > Sound and let me know whether any device is listed under Output or if the list is completely empty.

    I look forward to your reply.

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