11

So when I use the mute button to mute all the audio it works as expected but when I try to unmute it I see all the visual signals that states that I have unmuted the device (laptop - windows 10) but I don't hear any audio.

I have to put it to sleep mode and return back the audio starts working.

This is not the case when I use volume down button to go to zero and then use volume up button to increase it. So I don't know what's the problem I have checked the device drivers and everything is up to date.

Stupid_Intern
  • 231

3 Answers3

11

I have the same problem with Realtek High Definition Audio driver when using the headphone jack. If you are not in this case, please ignore the remaining part of this answer.

I think the reason is that the Realtek High Definition Audio driver is not working properly in Windows 10, because when you go to Device Manager => Sound, video and game controllers => Realtek High Definition Audio => disable and then enable, the unmute problem will be fixed.

But I found another easier way to solve the problem, and potentially figure out what cause this weird behavior.

In short, to reproduce and fix the problem, first you mute and then unmute the speaker. Now no matter how you adjust the volume, the headphone produces no sound. Then you drag the volume bar to 0, and then click the volume icon (should have a cross on it before clicking). Now adjust the volume: sound is back!

It seems that when the speaker is muted, it has to be unmuted to 0 volume before changing the volume value. It might be some new feature of Windows 10 that's not compatible with the old sound driver. Hope this could help.

lnyng
  • 811
1

Right-click on volume icon >> Open Volume Mixer >> drag the speaker volume down to zero and then drag the speaker volume to up and adjust. You will find the audio is back up and running, normally. This is the quickest temporary fix for now. Whenever you mute your audio, unmute and there is no sound. Repeat the Volume Mixer steps. I'm facing the same issue on my Windows 10 and Realtek, and this is how I am trying to get around the issue.

Souvik
  • 11
1

Posting in case someone finds this thread later. I experienced the same issue as OP. Updating my Realtek audio drivers to the latest version (Version 6.0.1.8335 Jan 2018 in my case for Lenovo Y50-70 laptop) resolved the issue and sound no longer cuts out when muting and then turning sound back on. Realtek must have patched the issue in a more recent audio driver release. N.B.: The automatically downloaded and installed driver version from Windows Update does NOT have the fix. You'll have to manually download the driver from your laptop/PC vendor or try the generic ones on the Realtek website.

Mekki MacAulay
  • 810