What can we do if we get a red cross on the speaker icon? Along with an error message saying no audio output device is installed, it seems that the audio output device has run into trouble and we’re not able to play any sounds.

But, worry not! There are still some fixes to try. Let’s take a look at these methods and get the audio device back to work.

  1. Run the Audio Troubleshooter
  2. Update your audio driver
  3. Reinstall your audio driver
  4. Check for Windows updates
  5. Check your Default playback device

Before we start troubleshooting, please reboot your computer to flush the buffer or fix any random bug that causes this error to occur. Also, please re-connect your audio output device or check that your audio device is tightly plugged in. After that, proceed with the steps below.

1. Run the Audio Troubleshooter

Since the “No audio output device is installed” error can be caused by different reasons, it’s recommended to try using the Audio troubleshooter when the error occurs.

The Audio Troubleshooter is a built-in repair tool for Windows users to detect and resolve audio issues. Although we’re not 100% sure that it will fix all kinds of audio problems, at least we can sort out the specific reason that causes the issue.

To do so:

  1. Right-click your speaker icon and select Troubleshoot sound problems.
  2. Wait for the troubleshooter to detect problems. If anything is identified, you’ll be prompted to fix the issue.

If the Audio Troubleshooter finds out the reason but can’t resolve the issue for you, you’ll have to manually follow the instructions it provides first. However, if it fails to detect the problem, please read on and see what else we can do.

2. Update your audio driver

When you’re experiencing an audio issue, one of the first things you should do is to update your audio driver, since an up-to-date audio driver always ensures the best audio-playing performance and fewer bugs.

To update your audio driver, here’s what you can do:

  1. On your keyboard, press the Windows key and X at the same time, select Device Manager.
  2. Double-click to expand the category Sound, video and game controllers. Then right-click your audio driver and click Update driver.
  3. Then click Search automatically for updated driver software.
  4. Wait for Windows to find the latest driver available for you.
  5. Back to Device Manager and update your audio output device driver in the category of Audio inputs and outputs.
  6. When the driver update is done, restart your computer for the change to take effect.
  7. Then check and see if the problem is fixed.

If Windows says that it’s already found the latest driver for you, so no newer drivers are found, then you should consider updating your audio driver in a different way with the help of Driver Techie.

Its ever-growing driver database allows you to always have access to the latest device drivers that you need. More importantly, Driver Techie simplifies the driver update process, so all it takes is just 3 clicks (for Pro users), and all your drivers are updated.

To use Driver Techie to find you the latest drivers:

  1. Download and install Driver Techie, then launch it.
  2. Click Scan Now.
  3. After the scan, select all the drivers you need to update and click Update All. Then all your drivers will be updated automatically without you having to do anything else.

Please note that Update All is available for Pro subscribers only, otherwise, you can only manually update the driver one at a time. To see how to manually update the drivers one by one, please check this post.

If you’re a Pro user of Driver Techie, and need our technical support to help with the audio output device not installed error, please feel free to contact <support@drivertechie.com>.

3. Reinstall your audio driver

Performing a reinstallation for your audio driver can be another fix to try if doing an update fails to resolve the “No audio output device is installed” error.

Unlike Tip No.2, you’ll need to remove the audio driver from your computer. To do so:

  1. On your keyboard, press the Windows key and X at the same time, select Device Manager.
  2. Double-click to expand the category Sound, video and game controllers. Then right-click your audio driver and click Uninstall device.
  3. Click the Uninstall button if prompted.
  4. Double-click to expand the category Audio inputs and outputs. Then right-click your audio output device driver and click Uninstall device.
  5. Click the Uninstall button if prompted.
  6. Restart your computer. Windows 10 should automatically reinstall the latest version of your audio device driver.

Check if the issue persists. If so, move on to the next method.

4. Check for Windows updates

If there are new drivers or patches available, Windows Update will suggest you download and install them. Sometimes they can be newer and better than what Device Manager has found for you.

Therefore, running a Windows Update scan is another way to uninstall a problematic audio driver and install a new one.

To do so:

  1. On your keyboard, press the Windows key and I together to open Windows Settings, and click the Update & Security button.
  2. On the Windows Update page, click the Check for updates button. If a new audio driver is listed and available, download and install it.
  3. Restart your computer for changes to take effect.

After that, if you’re still prompted that the audio output device is not installed, proceed with the next tip.

5. Check your default playback device

There’s still a chance that your audio output device is not set as the default playback device so that Windows doesn’t transmit sound over it, and you get the no audio output device installed message. In this case, please follow the instructions below to set your audio output device as default.

  1. In the search box on the taskbar, type control panel, then select it from the results.
  2. Select Hardware and Sound from the Control Panel, and then select Sound.
  3. On the Playback tab, right-click on the blank space and select Show disabled devices and Show disconnected devices.
  4. If you see that your current output device is disabled or grayed out, right-click on it, and select Enable. If it’s not set as default, click the Set Default button, and then click Apply and OK.

Hopefully, one of the methods above should bring back your audio and resolve the “No audio output device is installed” issue. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to share them with us in the comment area below. More importantly, if you’re a Pro user of Driver Techie, and need our technical support, please don’t hesitate to contact <support@drivertechie.com>.