Fix The Audio Service is not running on Windows 10
The "Audio Service is Not Running" issue in Windows 10 can disrupt sound functionality. This guide offers steps to quickly resolve the problem.
1. Check the Audio Driver
Corrupted or outdated audio drivers can cause the service to malfunction. Updating the driver can effectively resolve this issue. Using Driver Sentry is recommended for automatic driver detection and updates, saving time and avoiding incorrect installations.
Download the latest version of Driver Sentry, install it, and open the software. Click "Scan".
After the scan, review the results to find uninstalled or outdated drivers. Locate the audio driver and click the "Upgrade" button.
Restart your computer after the update to ensure the new driver is properly applied.
2. Start the Windows Audio Service
Press Win + R, type "services.msc", and press Enter.
Scroll down to find "Windows Audio", right-click, and select "Properties".
In the Properties window, set the "Startup type" to "Automatic", then click the "Start" button to start the service.
Navigate to the "Dependencies" tab and ensure the following services are running:
Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
Windows Audio Endpoint Builder
If these are not running, return to the service list, locate them, and start them using the same steps.
Click "OK" to save the changes and exit.
3. Check Audio Settings
Verify the Default Audio Device:
Right-click the volume icon in the taskbar and select "Open Sound Settings".
Ensure the correct audio device is set as the default under the Output section.
Disable Audio Enhancements:
In the Sound Settings, click "Device Properties" next to the audio device.
Navigate to Advanced Device Settings and check "Disable all sound effects".
Check Audio Format:
Ensure the default format is not set to extreme values (e.g., 192000Hz). Try changing it to 16-bit, 44100 Hz (CD Quality) in the device properties.
4. Modify the Registry
Press Win + R, type "regedit", and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\AudioEndPointBuilder\Parameters
In the right pane, locate the "ServiceDll key", right-click it, and select "Modify".
Change the Value data to: %SystemRoot%\System32\AudioEndPointBuilder.dll
Click "OK", close the Registry Editor, and restart your computer.
Caution: Incorrect registry changes can cause system issues. Back up the registry before making changes.
5. Repair System Files
Run the SFC Tool:
In the taskbar search box, type "cmd", right-click Command Prompt, and select "Run as Administrator".
Enter the following command and press Enter: sfc /scannow
Wait for the scan and repair process to complete, then restart your computer.
Run DISM Tool (if needed):
If SFC cannot repair files, enter the following command and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
This will download and replace corrupted system files from the Windows Update server.
6. Run the Audio Troubleshooter
Press Win + I to open Settings, select "System" > "Troubleshoot" > "Other Troubleshooters".
Locate "Playing Audio" in the list and click "Run the troubleshooter".
Follow the on-screen instructions to detect and fix audio issues.
Restart your computer after troubleshooting and test the audio functionality.
Follow these steps to resolve the "Audio Service Not Running" issue on Windows 10. If the problem persists, contact professional technical support.
See also:
Fix Windows 10 Bad Image Error
Easy Ways to Fix the kernelbase.dll Error
