Member Avatar for Michellllex

I have a problem with my speakers as they don't work because there is "no mixer devices available" and system restore and downloading new hardware doesn't seem to make a difference because system restore hasn't saved any earlier dates apart from 2 days ago.. I have also tried going onto run in the start menu and searched services.msc and clicked on windows audio and pressed start which also did not work, please help.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by oA9999

Dani AI

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Brief summary and next steps that build on the useful suggestions already posted by , and : the "No mixer devices available" message most often means the Windows audio stack or the codec driver isn't registered or has been partially removed, not that the speakers are physically broken. Since the Windows Audio service was already started and System Restore has only a very recent point, deeper cleanup and a clean driver install are the most reliable next moves.

A focused diagnostic workflow (safe, reversible):

  • Reveal and remove ghost/old audio devices:
    set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1
start devmgmt.msc

    then choose View → Show hidden devices and uninstall any grayed-out audio entries.

  • Capture the device Hardware Id (Device Manager → Properties → Details → Hardware Ids) and use that ID to find the exact vendor/OEM driver for the operating system and bitness (prefer the computer maker or chipset vendor over generic download sites).

Clean reinstall checklist:

  • If the card is High Definition audio on Windows XP, install the Microsoft UAA bus driver (XP requirement for many HDA codecs) before the vendor codec.
  • Boot to Safe Mode to uninstall existing audio entries, reboot to normal and then install the matched OEM driver.
  • Set the Windows Audio service Startup Type to Automatic in services.msc. Run sfc /scannow if system audio files are suspected missing (Windows XP may require the original CD).

Additional troubleshooting notes and cautions:

  • Check Event Viewer (System) for device errors or Code 10/Code 39 messages — those codes point to driver/compatibility problems.
  • Create a manual restore point before driver/registry changes and avoid unsigned or unknown-source driver packages.
  • If the device still does not appear at all, confirm the motherboard/BIOS onboard-audio setting (as suggested) or try the card in a different slot.

Recommended Answers

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Member Avatar for sparkax

1.Open the Hardware Manager to see if there are any conflicts.If so disable unwanted entry.
2.Go to Control Panel/Sound and Audio Devices/Audio.
Check that correct device is shown.

Member Avatar for rch1231

The three things that I can think of are:

1. Open Device manager and Select View from the main menu (File, Edit, View, etc.) and click the option to show hidden devices and see if there is a device creating a conflict.

2. If it is a built in device: Go into the BIOS (System setup) and make sure the Audio Device is not disabled.

3. If it is a card: shut the system down, remove the card, boot up windows and let it completely start all services and run for a few minutes. Shut the sytem back down and re-install the car. I would also suggest putting it in a different slot if one is available.

Member Avatar for Michellllex

Thanks but there are no conflicts and nothing can be selected under the audio device. I'm not sure what else to do?

Member Avatar for oA9999

What is your audio driver's name?
If it is HD Definition? AC '97? Etc.
Download it at www.download.com and install it to your desktop/laptop.
And restart...You have now your Audio Mixer Device.

Member Avatar for Michellllex

It's soundmaxThanks alot, do I have to download the same driver provider, driver version and digital signer as the driver I have now?

Member Avatar for oA9999

Yeah...download it and try to reinstall it to your PC.

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