Sound Research Corp - Software Component - 2.0.8.64 Synaptics - Software Component - 1.0.0.42 These two installed automatically by Windows Updates: Nvidia Virtual Audio Device Wave Extensible (Sound, Video, Game Controllers): 4.2.2.0 Intel Display Audio (Sound, Video, Game Controllers): 10.27.0.8 Realtek audio driver version (Sound, Video, Game Controllers). Intel driver version (System Devices / SST OED).

I decided to keep a diary of anything that looks audio-related to try and catch any updates/driver updates that break things, as this feels like it could be a driver issue:Īfter installing Windows and doing critical updates: I reinstalled using the option for a factory reinstall from the Recovery boot menu (full rebuild, did not keep apps etc.) I just tried a fresh install of Windows to see if that would fix it. Where do I start in fixing this? Can you help? Thanks. I ran the HP audio diagnostics upon bootup which ran OK. I have installed all available updates relating to the Realtek Audio driver in the HP Support Assistant app. I have tried updating the BIOS to the latest version. I have installed the Intel® Driver & Support Assistant which says everything is up to date. Trying to do a restart or shutdown the usual way will either just restart without enabling sound or will sometimes blue screen. The only thing that will get the sound to work again is holding down the power button for a few seconds to do a 'hard shutdown', and switching on again. I have attempted to disable the device, delete drivers, reinstall drivers etc from here but nothing will happen even after a long wait - the progress bar just repeats left to right. When I look in Device Manager / System Devices category / Intel Smart Sound Technology (Intel SST) OED will have a warning/exclamation icon over it. A red x will appear over the speaker icon in the tray. All of a sudden there will be no sound output from the speakers or from headphones plugged in.

On this laptop the sound stops working on a regular basis.

Smaart 7 crashing