Fix the error of speaker icon with red X, computer has no sound

If you see a red X icon on the volume icon in the system tray, it means that you are not able to use the audio device. Even though the audio device is not disabled, users still see this error when running the audio troubleshooter . The computer will say “High Definition Audio Device is installed” but when hovering over the icon, it will say “No audio output device is installed”. This is a very strange issue and users cannot use any kind of audio service due to this error.

If you are seeing a red X on the sound icon, this means that your system is not producing sound. Many other Windows users have complained about the same issue. Check out the solutions for the red X speaker icon listed below.

How to fix speaker icon with red X, computer has no sound

• Why is there a red X on the sound icon?
• Method 1: Restart the system
• Method 2: Edit the Registry
• Method 3: Make sure the Windows Audio service is started
• Method 4: Update the audio driver
• Method 5: Uninstall Realtek High Definition Audio driver

Why is there a red X on the sound icon?

This question must have been on your mind since you lost sound and found the dreaded sign on your sound icon. You should know that there are various reasons that can cause the problem. Here are some potential reasons:

• Your audio device is faulty or not properly connected.
• Sound service not running
• Your sound driver is outdated or corrupted.
• Some application errors and conflicts are affecting the audio driver.

Whatever the cause of the problem is, you will get rid of it after applying the right remedy.

Method 1: Restart the system

There are many problems that a system restart can solve. Restarting your system can solve lingering issues, including those affecting your audio equipment.

Some applications that are using the sound service may have encountered problems, resulting in no system sound. In other cases, the processor may not be able to communicate properly with the audio adapter driver. When you restart your system, these problems should be resolved and the red icon should disappear.

Method 2: Edit the Registry

Step 1: Press Windows key + R then type regedit and press Enter to open Registry Editor .

Step 2: Navigate to the following registry key:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\MMDevices

Step 3: Click on MMDevices and then select Permissions.

Step 4: In the Permission window, select Full Control for SYSTEM, Administrator and user.

Step 5: Click Apply then OK to save the settings.

Step 6: Now again navigate to the following registry key:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\MMDevices\Audio

Step 7: Continue steps 4 and 5 to control all Admin, users and SYSTEM.

Step 8: Close Registry Editor and restart your computer. This method should fix the speaker icon with a red X in Windows 10 but if this doesn't fix your problem, move on to the next method.

Method 3: Make sure the Windows Audio service is  started

Step 1: Press Windows key + R then type msc and press Enter .

Step 2: Scroll down until you find Windows Audio  and right-click and select Properties.

Step 3: Make sure the service is running by clicking Start and then setting the Startup type to Automatic .

Step 4: Click Apply and OK .

Step 5: Follow the same steps for the Windows Audio Endpoint Builder service.

Step 6: Close all programs and restart your computer to save changes.

Method 4: Update the audio driver

Step 1: Press Windows key + R then type msc and press Enter to open Device Manager .

Step 2: Expand the Sound, video and game controllers section and right-click on Audio Device then select Enable (If it is already enabled, skip this step).

If the audio device is already enabled, right-click Audio Device and select Update Driver Software.

Step 3: Now select “ Search automatically for updated driver software ” and finish the process.

Step 4: If you cannot update the graphics card, select Update Driver Software .

Step 5: This time select "Browse my computer for driver software" .

Step 6: Next, select " Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer".

Step 7: Select the appropriate driver from the list and click Next .

Step 8: Wait for the process to complete and restart your computer.

Step 9: If the appropriate driver is not found, go to the manufacturer's website and download the latest driver.

Method 5: Uninstall Realtek High Definition Audio driver

Step 1: Press Windows key + X and select Control Panel .

Step 2: Click Uninstall a Program and then search for Realtek High Definition Audio Driver .

Step 3: Right click on it and select Uninstall .

Step 4: Restart your computer and open Device Manager .

Step 5: Click on Action then select " Scan for hardware changes".

Step 6: The system will automatically fix the error of the speaker icon with a red X.

If all the above methods do not work, try this method to fix the red crossed speaker icon error .