Where's my sound gone?

Clive · Mar 01, 2016, 16:59:22

Yes, this is the new soundless Windows 10 laptop.

The sound icon says it's on maximum and I've updated the drivers to no avail. Have I broken my new machine already?

Simon · Mar 01, 2016, 20:58:37

Pardon?

Simon · Mar 01, 2016, 20:59:16

Try a reboot.

Clive · Mar 01, 2016, 22:59:13

First thing I did.

Simon · Mar 01, 2016, 23:56:39

What did you do immediately before the sound went off? Is there a Mute button you could have accidentally hit?

peterbeaumont · Mar 02, 2016, 08:10:53

Clive
Have you updated your sound drivers to ones later than those originally supplied with your machine? (The ones held in your 'download' folder within your PC Specialist account).
My understanding is that PC Specialist update the recommended drivers only when the chassis manufacturer (Clevo?) has tested and passed them.
So if you've used 3rd party software to manually update all your drivers, you may find that some are not compatible.
I'd try the latest driver shown in your PC Specialist account and see if that fixes your problem.

Clive · Mar 02, 2016, 09:13:41

Thanks Peter, several drivers did update over the weekend through a third party driver updater. I don't usually have the sound switched on. I suppose I could try a system restore. I've created quite a few restore points since I've bought the machine. Perhaps I should get rid of the driver updater. Thanks for your help.

Baz · Mar 02, 2016, 14:33:50

What is the sound not working on....web sites/cds/normal windows sound themes etc

I dont know what its called in win10 but is there a control panel with a sound and audio icon you can look in

Clive · Mar 02, 2016, 21:27:02

It's not working full stop Baz. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. I've checked my system restore points and I have one for Feb 29 created by the new driver installation. I created another one on March 1st when I transferred my iPod over so I want to get that file to an SD card otherwise it will probably disappear when I roll the system back. I know files are not supposed to be affected by System Restore but I'm not taking any chances. It's a big file so I've had to order a 64Gb SD card.

Clive · Mar 02, 2016, 21:34:26

Quote from: Simon on Mar 01, 2016, 23:56:39
What did you do immediately before the sound went off? Is there a Mute button you could have accidentally hit?

The sound is always off but I know it was working on Saturday. I too thought of a mute key as I once lost my internet connection on my netbook by inadvertently pressing the "disconnect WiFi" key. Who knew it was there? Not me for certain! I have lots of keys on this laptop which may be mute buttons - even one with a loudspeaker with a line struck through it which seems a dead giveaway to me. But that doesn't fix it either!

Steve · Mar 02, 2016, 22:03:27

Did you roll back the driver update? You shouldn't need to use a restore point either for this task

Clive · Mar 02, 2016, 22:43:55

I don't know how to roll back the driver update Steve - I'm the fool who rushed in where angels fear to tread.

I was going to keep using system restore until the computer started singing Daisy Daisy. But would I have heard it?

Simon · Mar 02, 2016, 22:55:23

Are you sure you haven't gone deaf, Clive?

Clive · Mar 02, 2016, 23:04:54

Mrs Clive has been saying that for years!

Steve · Mar 03, 2016, 09:04:10

http://www.howtogeek.com/223864/how-to-uninstall-and-block-updates-and-drivers-on-windows-10/

Clive · Mar 03, 2016, 11:24:07

I don't think Windows Updates was to blame. I have installed software called Driver Booster 3 which told me I had out of date drivers. To be honest, I was slightly surprised because I had run the software twice before and it pointed out that a lot of drivers were out of date and I let it update them. This time *it* decided on its own bat to tell me I had three out of date drivers so again I let it update them but it was after that that my sound disappeared. PC Specialists provided me with a CD containing all the drivers but I'm not confident about using it because I've not done so before. What will happen if I insert the disc?

Steve · Mar 03, 2016, 12:11:04

You should be able to explore the disk, find where the sound card drivers are and then get Windows "to update " the driver directing it to the file stored on the CD.

Clive · Mar 03, 2016, 13:56:44

Phew! That sounds like a plan. But I will have to psyche myself up for such a big adventure! It will take a few days of psyching.

Clive · Mar 03, 2016, 15:50:45

Guys it's fixed! I inserted the driver CD which contains a manual - a huge colour manual. Who knew? Anyway, I scrolled down to sound and it told me how Windows could troubleshoot. I'd actually tried that previously and the computer told me everything was working fine. However, this time it suggested I should change a setting so all my devices could share sound. I clicked and three sliders appeared, all of which were set at zero. One was to increase the volume. I slid it up to halfway and all three went up at the same time. I confess I haven't a clue what I did or where I was but I have my sound back.

Thanks to all who gave me such sound advice and to Simon who kept sending me sound clips of lambs frolicking in the meadow. I swear I will have vengeance one day!

Simon · Mar 03, 2016, 17:01:34