[Lex Computer & Tech Group/LCTG] Sound problems after recent Windows update

[Robert Primak]

 The correct answer was to run all the diagnostic tests.
Then go into the Device Manager and see if sound devices has any yellow triangles (Warnings that the device or its driver is not working).
Update the driver from the manufacturer, thus overriding the driver Microsoft sent you through Microsoft Update.
Go into MS Updates, Advanced Settings, and disable getting driver updates through MS Updates.
I run into this problem on my Intel NUC PC with a Realtek sound driver frequently. Both Realtek and Intel have tools to check your drivers and update as needed.
Never update a working driver.
And never allow Microsoft to update a working driver.
Most commonly experienced after a Feature Update, like the upcoming 21H1 Update for Windows 10 or the recent 20H1 (2004) or 20H2 Updates,  but can happen with monthly Cumulative Updates. Usually not an issue with .NET Updates, including this one. 
But other updates, including Windows Security (Windows Defender), Servicing Stack, and Windows Drivers or even Third Party Drivers (if not disabled in Windows Updates) can happen silently in the background, with no warning to you. 
-- Bob Primak

    On Sunday, March 14, 2021, 10:20:21 PM EDT, Paul Garmon <paul.garmon at gmail.com> wrote:  
 
 Hi,

General ideas:

  1. Remove any Realtek (or other) sound drivers completely (uninstall or
  remove driver)
  (as there are known issues with recent Microsoft updates busting things
  like this)

  2. Reinstall if that alone doesn't restore sound
    (you may need to find out what you have for a sound chip/card to find
  the appropriate driver[s]).

  3. Find someone who knows how to do all this to help you one on one if
  you don't.


Neither Microsoft nor Apple can test every possible combination of hardware
and software, and usually there are interactions.  Also, Microsoft often
tends to deliberately (and silently) remove or disable 3rd party extensions
during their updates, such as non Microsoft video (e.g. NVIDIA) and sound
drivers (RealTek and others).  So nice.

Paul

On Sun, Mar 14, 2021 at 9:22 PM Evelyn Silber <evelynsilber at gmail.com>
wrote:

> My computer did an automatic update yesterday and since then I have no
> sound.  Any recommendations?
>
> It was KB4601050 - 2021-02 Cumulative Update for .NET  Framework 3.5 and
> 4.8 for Windows 10, version 20H2 for x64.
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
> Evelyn Silber
>
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