Audio input and output removed from Device manager

Understanding and Resolving Missing Audio Input and Output Devices in Windows

Introduction

Many Windows users encounter issues where their audio input and output devices disappear from Device Manager or the Sound settings. Such issues can stem from driver conflicts, software interference, or system misconfigurations. In this article, we explore a complex case involving the removal of audio devices from Device Manager and provide practical troubleshooting steps to help resolve the problem.

Case Background

A user reported that their audio input and output devices were missing from the Windows Device Manager and Sound settings. The problem appeared after running Voicemeeter Potato, a popular audio mixing application, and dealing with associated driver duplications. Notably, uninstalling Voicemeeter VAIO driver led to the complete disappearance of audio devices from Windows interfaces, while reinstallation and driver updates did not resolve the issue.

Key Observations

Audio devices are still visible under “Show hidden devices” in Device Manager.
Plugging in new audio hardware prompts the device to show briefly in Device Manager but not in sound settings.
Audio devices auto-hide themselves after system reboot.
Uninstalling Voicemeeter VAIO drivers causes the entire “Audio Input and Output” section to vanish.
System restore temporarily restores the devices but does not resolve the underlying conflict.

Troubleshooting Steps

Verify Device Visibility in Device Manager
Enable the “Show hidden devices” option:
- Open Device Manager.
- Click “View” and select “Show hidden devices.”
Confirm whether audio devices appear under “Sound, video, and game controllers” or “Audio inputs and outputs.”
This confirms that devices are present but not active or visible in sound settings.
Remove Conflicting Drivers
Use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) in Safe Mode to thoroughly remove audio and graphics drivers.
After cleaning, reinstall the latest audio drivers from your motherboard or sound card manufacturer.
Also, update BIOS audio drivers if applicable.
Restart and check if devices appear in Sound settings.
Investigate Voicemeeter and Virtual Audio Drivers
Voicemeeter installs virtual audio drivers that can sometimes conflict with real hardware.
Completely uninstall Voicemeeter and its virtual cables.
Use Revo Uninstaller or similar tools to remove residual files and registry entries.
Reboot and verify device presence.
Use Windows Troubleshooter
Run the Windows Troubleshooter for audio