Troubleshooting Windows Audio Service: How to Fix ‘Audio Service Not Running’ Error

Have you ever encountered the frustrating error message Windows audio service not running when trying to play music or watch a video on your computer? This error can be caused by various factors, such as corrupt files, outdated drivers, or conflicts with other programs. Fortunately, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to fix the issue and restore your computer’s audio functionality. In this post, we’ll guide you through the process of troubleshooting the Windows Audio Service and resolving the Audio Service Not Running error. So, let’s get started!

The Windows Audio Service is responsible for managing all audio-related tasks on a Windows computer. If the audio service is not running, you will not be able to hear any sound from your computer. This can be quite frustrating, especially if you need to listen to music, watch a video, or make a video call.

Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot and fix the Windows audio service not running error. Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: Check the Windows Audio Service

The first thing you need to do is check if the Windows Audio Service is running. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Press the Win + R keys on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.

2. Type services.msc (without quotes) and press Enter.

3. In the Services window, scroll down and locate the Windows Audio service.

4. Check the status of the service. If it’s running, the status should be Started. If it’s not running, the status will be Stopped.

5. If the service is stopped, right-click on it and select Start from the context menu.

Step 2: Restart the Windows Audio Service

If the Windows Audio Service is already running, you can try restarting it to fix any issues that may be causing the error. Here’s how:

1. Press the Win + R keys on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.

2. Type services.msc (without quotes) and press Enter.

3. In the Services window, locate the Windows Audio service.

4. Right-click on the service and select Restart from the context menu.

5. Wait for the service to restart and check if the error is resolved.

Step 3: Check the Audio Device

If the Windows Audio Service is running but you still can’t hear any sound, it’s possible that the problem is with your audio device. Follow these steps to check your audio device:

1. Right-click on the speaker icon in the taskbar and select Open Sound settings from the context menu.

2. In the Sound settings window, click on the Device properties link under the Output section.

3. In the Device Properties window, check the status of the device. If it says This device is working properly, then the problem is not with the device.

4. If the device is not working properly, you may need to update the device driver. Right-click on the device and select Update driver from the context menu.

5. Follow the on-screen instructions to update the driver.

Step 4: Check for Windows Updates

If none of the above steps work, it’s possible that the problem is caused by a Windows update that didn’t install correctly. Here’s how to check for and install Windows updates:

1. Press the Win + I keys on your keyboard to open the Settings app.

2. Click on Update & Security.

3. Click on Check for updates.

4. If updates are available, click on Download and install.

5. Wait for the updates to install and restart your computer.

Step 5: Uninstall and Reinstall the Audio Driver

If none of the above steps work, you may need to uninstall and reinstall the audio driver. Here’s how:

1. Press the Win + X keys on your keyboard and select Device Manager from the context menu.

2. Locate the audio device under the Sound, video and game controllers section.

3. Right-click on the device and select Uninstall device from the context menu.

4. Check the Delete the driver software for this device checkbox and click on Uninstall.

5. Restart your computer.

6. Windows will automatically install the default audio driver. If this doesn’t work, you can download and install the latest driver from the manufacturer’s website.

By following these steps, you should be able to troubleshoot and fix the Windows audio service not running error on your computer.

In conclusion, the Windows audio service not running error can be frustrating, but it is fixable. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can troubleshoot and fix the issue on your own. Remember to restart your computer after making changes to ensure that they take effect. If you are still facing issues, consider seeking help from a professional or contacting Microsoft support. With a little bit of patience and persistence, you can get your audio service up and running smoothly once again.