Audio went away after i booted my pc for some reason and hasn’t came back. Red cross ❌ on the speaker symbol

Troubleshooting Audio Issues in Windows: Resolving the “No Sound” Problem

Experiencing audio issues on your Windows PC can be frustrating, especially when the sound suddenly disappears without warning. If you’re faced with a red cross over your speaker icon and the Troubleshooter indicates that one or more audio devices are not functioning properly, you’re not alone. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help identify and resolve common audio problems, including specific error codes like 0x86.

Understanding the Issue

In many cases, users report that their audio stops working unexpectedly. Despite initial attempts to fix the problem—such as uninstalling and reinstalling audio drivers or following online tutorials—the issue persists. A typical warning is the inability to start the Windows Audio service, often returning an error code such as 0x86 along with an “Access Denied” message.

Common Causes

Corrupted or outdated audio drivers
Service-related issues with the Windows Audio component
Permission or security settings preventing service startup
System file corruption or updates interfering with audio services

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

Verify Audio Service Status
Open the Run dialog by pressing Windows + R
Type services.msc and press Enter
Locate “Windows Audio” in the list
Check if the service is running
If not, right-click and select “Start”
Observe any error messages during startup
Address Error 0x86 and Access Denied
Error 0x86 typically indicates a permission issue or a conflict
Ensure you are logged in as an administrator
Right-click on the Command Prompt and choose “Run as administrator”
Reset and Re-register Audio Services
In the elevated Command Prompt, run the following commands:
cmd net stop audiosrv net start audiosrv
If the service fails to start, proceed with re-registering related DLLs:
cmd regsvr32 /i msacm32.drv
Check System Files for Corruption
Use the System File Checker:
cmd sfc /scannow
Wait for the scan to complete and follow any repair instructions
Update or Roll Back Audio Drivers
Access Device Manager via Control Panel or Windows Search
Expand “Sound, video and game controllers”
Right-click your audio device and select “Update driver”
Choose to search automatically or browse your computer for