Audio Devices Not Working After a Windows 10 Reset

Audio issues are among the most common problems encountered by Windows users. They can be caused by a myriad of different factors but, in nearly all cases, the culprit is a faulty audio driver. Before you proceed to fix the software side of things, it is always worth checking if the hardware is working as expected. Inspect the cables of the speakers or headset and make sure they are plugged into the correct ports. Then, try using them on a different port and another suitable device if you have one available. If everything is within specifications, then let's move on to other potential solutions.

Run the Audio Troubleshooter

Windows 10 comes equipped with numerous troubleshooters tasked with handling specific system issues. While these troubleshooters are not known for their high success rate, it is still worth it to give them a shot. 

1. Type audio troubleshooter in the search field on the Taskbar.
2. Open the top result.
3. Select the device experiencing problems.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Fix faulty audio drivers

If the troubleshooter was unable to identify the issue, move on to updating or outring reinstalling the audio drivers on the system.

1. Type device manager in the search field on the Taskbar.
2. Open the top result.
3. In the Device Manager window, expand the 'Sound, video, and game controllers' menu by clicking on the node icon in front of it.
4. Right-click the audio device.
5. Select 'Update Driver' from the available options.
6. You will be presented with a window offering two choices. Select 'Search automatically for drivers.'

If Windows was unable to find a newer driver version for the audio device, users should proceed to reinstall the drivers altogether. Follow steps 1 through 4 again but this time select 'Uninstall Device' from the available options. Restart the computer and Windows will install fresh audio drivers. 

Use the correct device

If you have multiple audio devices connected, it can often lead to interference that prevents the system from being able to use the appropriate device. Check if this is the case and select the right audio device manually. 

1. Type sounds in the search field on the Taskbar.
2. Open the 'Change system sounds' result.
3. In the 'Sound' window, select the 'Playback' tab.
4. Cycle through the available devices and see which one is able to produce sound. 
5. Set it as the default audio device.