What Are the Causes of the Audio Services Not Responding Error?
The most common cause of the “Audio Services Not Responding” error is outdated, corrupted, or improperly installed audio drivers. If your drivers are not functioning correctly, you may encounter various audio issues, including this specific error.
Additionally, many Windows 10 users have reported experiencing this error after installing a Windows Update. While updates are designed to fix bugs, they can sometimes introduce new problems or conflicts.
Fortunately, there are several effective solutions you can try to resolve the audio services not responding issue before resorting to more drastic measures like resetting or reinstalling Windows 10.
How to Fix the “Audio Services Not Responding” Error in Windows 10
Method 1: Restart Audio Services to Fix “Audio Services Not Responding” Error
The first solution to try is restarting the audio services. These services are responsible for managing sound on your computer, and restarting them may help resolve any issues.
Follow these steps:
- Press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
- Type services.msc and click OK to launch the Services window (it may take a few seconds to load).
- In the Services window, right-click on the Windows Audio service and select Properties.
- Set the Startup type to Automatic. If the service isn’t running, click the Start button. Then, click Apply and OK.
- Repeat the same process for the Windows Audio Endpoint Builder service.
- Once both services are set to automatic startup, restart your computer.
This should resolve the “Audio Services Not Responding” error.
Method 2: Start Essential Audio Components to Resolve “Audio Services Not Responding” Error
Certain essential audio components might need to be started to resolve the “Audio services not responding” error. These services could have been disabled by you, another user, or an application, causing issues with your device’s sound functionality.
Follow these steps:
- Press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
- Type services.msc and click OK to open the Services window (it may take a few seconds to load).
- In the Services window, right-click each of the following services and select Start:
- DCOM Server Process Launcher
- Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
- RPC Endpoint Mapper
- After all three services are running, right-click on them again and select Properties. Ensure that the Startup type is set to Automatic.
- Restart your computer and check if the audio services not responding error has been resolved.
This method should help start the necessary services and fix the issue.
Method 3: Add Local and Network Services Using Commands to Fix Audio Issues
To resolve the “Audio services not responding” error, you can add the network service and local service to the local Administrator group using specific commands in Command Prompt.
Important: You will need an account with administrative permissions to execute this method.
Follow these steps:
- Open the search bar in your taskbar by clicking on the magnifying glass icon or use the Windows + S keyboard shortcut.
- Type Command Prompt in the search field. When it appears in the results, right-click on it and select Run as Administrator.
- If prompted by the User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to grant administrative permissions.
- Once the Command Prompt window opens, enter the following command and press Enter to execute it:
net localgroup administrators networkservice /add
- Next, input the following command:
net localgroup administrators localservice /add
- Restart your computer and check if the audio services not responding error is resolved.
If the issue persists, there are still more solutions you can try to fix the problem.
Method 4: Install Default Sound Drivers to Fix Audio Services Not Responding Error
If you’re encountering the “Audio services not responding” error, reinstalling the default sound drivers may help resolve the issue.
Follow these steps to install the default sound drivers:
- Click the Windows icon in the bottom-left corner to open the Start menu. Choose Settings or use the Windows + I shortcut.
- Select the System tile, then click on Advanced system settings from the right-side menu.
- Go to the Hardware tab at the top and click the Device Installation Settings icon.
- A new window will appear. Choose the option labeled “No (your device might not work as expected)” and click Save changes.
- To uninstall the current audio drivers, press the Windows + X keys simultaneously and select Device Manager from the menu.
- Expand the Sound, video, and game controllers section by clicking the arrow next to it. Right-click on your audio driver and choose Uninstall device.
- In the pop-up window, check the box that says “Delete the driver software for this device” and click Uninstall to remove the driver.
- After the uninstallation is complete, click on the Scan for hardware changes button to reinstall the default sound drivers.
- For best results, unplug any sound devices, restart your computer, and then plug the devices back in. Test the audio to see if the issue is resolved.
By installing the default sound drivers, the “Audio services not responding” error should be resolved.
Method 5: Install Realtek or High Definition Audio Device to Fix Audio Services Not Responding Error
If the IDT High Definition Audio Codec is causing the “Audio services not responding” error and the default drivers haven’t resolved the issue, you can try installing the Realtek or High Definition Audio Device drivers.
Follow these steps to install the correct drivers:
- Press the Windows + X keys simultaneously and select Device Manager from the menu.
- Expand the Sound, video, and game controllers section by clicking the arrow next to it. Right-click on the sound device and select Update Driver.
- In the dialog window, choose Browse my computer for driver software, and then click Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
- Find and select High Definition Audio Device. If you don’t see it, uncheck the Show compatible hardware box. Click Next to continue.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. Once done, restart your computer to see if the issue is fixed.
If the problem persists, repeat the steps and select Realtek High Definition Audio instead. This should help resolve the “Audio services not responding” error.
Method 6: Use a System Restore Point to Fix Audio Services Not Responding Error
If you or your system created a restore point before encountering the audio issues, you can easily return your system to that state to potentially fix the “Audio services not responding” error.
Follow these steps to perform a System Restore:
- Open the search bar in your taskbar by clicking the magnifying glass icon or press Windows + S on your keyboard.
- Type System Restore and click on Recovery in the search results (this will be listed under the Best match section).
- In the Advanced recovery tools section, click on the Open System Restore link.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to restore your system to a previous point. You can either select a specific restore point or use the recommended one. Be sure to check which files and applications will be affected during the restoration process.
- Once satisfied with your choices, click Finish and wait for Windows 10 to restore your computer to the selected restore point.
After the restoration is complete, check if the audio issues have been resolved. If the problem persists, it may be time to consider reinstalling Windows 10 for a fresh start.
Method 7: Reinstall Windows 10 to Resolve Audio Services Not Responding Error
If none of the previous solutions have resolved the “Audio services not responding” error, you may need to reset or reinstall Windows 10. Reinstalling Windows 10 can give your device a fresh start and potentially fix any underlying issues causing the error.
You can choose to reinstall Windows 10 without losing your personal files, but keep in mind that most of your applications and system configurations will be removed. If you want a clean slate, this option can help restore your system to optimal performance.
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