Fix Windows 10 Audio Service Not Running
In Windows 10, the audio service may stop running, causing no sound or unavailable audio devices. This article offers solutions to quickly fix the issue and restore audio.
1. Update the Audio Driver
Outdated or corrupted drivers are common causes of audio issues. Updating the audio driver can often resolve the problem. We recommend using Driver Sentry to automatically detect and update drivers, saving time and avoiding the risk of downloading or installing incorrect drivers.
Click the download button to get the latest version of Driver Sentry. After installation, open the software and click "Scan".
Once the scan is complete, it will show which drivers are missing or need updating. Find the audio driver in the results list and click the "Upgrade" button.
After updating, restart your computer to ensure the updated driver is applied.
2. Check the Audio Service Status
Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type "services.msc" and press Enter to open the Services Manager.
Locate the following audio-related services:
Windows Audio Endpoint Builder
Check the Status of these services:
If the status is "Running", the service is active.
If the status is "Stopped", the service is not running.
3. Restart the Audio Services
Press Win + R, type "services.msc", and press Enter to open the Services Manager.
Find the "Windows Audio" service, right-click on it, and select "Restart".
Similarly, find the "Windows Audio Endpoint Builder service", right-click, and select "Restart".
After restarting these services, check if the system audio is working.
4. Use the Command Prompt
Press Win + S, search for "Command Prompt", and run it as an administrator.
In the Command Prompt window, enter the following commands one at a time and press Enter after each:
net localgroup Administrators /add networkservice
net localgroup Administrators /add localservice
After executing the commands, restart your computer and check if the audio services are functioning.
5. Run the Audio Troubleshooter
Press Win + I to open Settings and select "Update & Security".
Go to "Troubleshoot > Additional Troubleshooters" and select "Playing Audio".
Click "Run the Troubleshooter", and the system will automatically scan for and attempt to fix audio issues.
After completing the process, check if the audio is restored.
6. Modify the Registry
Press Win + R, type "regedit", and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
Navigate to the following path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\AudioEndPointBuilder\Parameters
In the right pane, find 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.
Check if the audio services are now running properly.
7. Reset Windows 10 Audio Settings
Press Win + I to open Settings.
Select System and then click "Sounds".
Scroll to the bottom of the Sound settings page and click "Advanced Sound Options".
Under "App volume and device preferences", select "Reset" to restore the audio settings to their defaults.
After resetting, restart your computer and check if the audio issue is resolved.
Follow these steps to fix the "Windows 10 Audio Service Not Running" issue. If it persists, contact technical support for help.
See also:
Fix Fallout 3 Crashing on Windows 10
Guide to Fixing a Computer That Keeps Crashing
