Some Windows 10 users have reported seeing a red X volume icon on their computers. It prevents them from using any device. When users hover their cursor over the volume symbol, it displays an error message stating that the Service is not operating. If you’re in a similar position, read this article to learn how to solve it.
Why a Red X on my volume Icon?
Numerous users have reported the presence of a red X Volume icon. There are multiple solutions for resolving this problem.
You should be aware that the problem could have a variety of origins. Here are a few possible explanations:
- Your equipment is broken or improperly connected.
- The sound controller is affected by flaws and application conflicts.
- Your driver is out of date or has become corrupt.
- The service is not available.
Whatever the source of the issue, you’ll be able to eliminate it after you’ve found the correct solution.
How To Fix Red X Volume Icon In Windows 10?
- Restart Your System
- Disable And Enable Device In The Device Manager
- Run The Windows Audio Troubleshooter
- Make Sure The Audio Service Is Running
- Set Default Audio Output Device
- Fix The Audio Driver
- Use Windows Update
1. Restart Your System
A simple system restart can fix-red x volume icon. Restarting your system can solve various problems, including those affecting your device.
Some applications that use the service may have run into problems and have taken your system’s audio with them. In other circumstances, the processor may not properly connect with the adapter driver.
When you restart your computer, these issues will be resolved, and the red mark should be gone.
2. Disable And Enable Device In The Device Manager
It may work because the driver may become stuck when attempting to interface with the device. Memory will free up and return to normal once you’ve completed this activity. The procedure is simple to fix-Red X error. Open Device Manager and choose the following options.
The following steps will show you how to achieve it:
- Open the Run dialogue box. Press the Win keyboard button and R at the same time.
- After the run appears, type “devmgmt.msc” (without the quotes) and press the Enter key on your keyboard.
- Search ‘Sound, Video, and Game Controllers” in the Manager, then click the arrow beside it.
- Your devices will now show up on the screen.
- Disable the audio device by right-clicking it and selecting Disable Device from the context menu.
- If you have other device entries in the menu, repeat the process.
- Right-click the device again and choose Enable Device from the context menu. Don’t forget to perform the same thing with the other audio devices.
- After you’ve done that, restart your computer and see if the problem has gone away.
- Continue to the following step if the red X mark on the volume symbol is still present.
3. Run The Windows Audio Troubleshooter
A troubleshooter is a built-in tool that helps you detect and fix issues with your audio output. It generally looks for conflicts that prevent the audio service from functioning correctly and removes them as quickly as possible.
To learn how to run the troubleshooter, follow the steps below:
- Right-click on the Start menu button on the taskbar.
- Choose “Settings” from the Power User menu over the Start button.
- After the Settings home page appears on your screen, click the Update & Security option.
- When the following window displays, pick Troubleshoot from the left panel.
- Now, under additional troubleshooting, click on Playing Audio.
- Click the Run the Troubleshooter button beneath Playing Audio as it fades out.
- The troubleshooter will now attempt to identify any potential audio problems.
- If it detects an issue, it will prompt you to correct it.
- Accept the solutions and then double-check that the issue has been resolved.
4. Make Sure The Audio Service Is Running
Fix red X error by restarting audio services.
- To open Services.msc, use Windows Key + R, then type services.msc and search it.
- Right-click Windows Audio Service and select Properties from the drop-down menu.
- Make that the service is up and running, then click Start and select Automatic as the Startup type.
- After that, click Apply and then OK.
- For the Windows Audio Endpoint Builder service, follow the same steps.
- To save your changes, close everything and restart your computer.
5. Set Default Audio Output Device
After a significant audio driver upgrade or a rare system glitch, the primary device may have been deselected. Some applications may also be the source of such an issue.
Removing a different audio device that was recently attached and set as the default audio output device may create this issue.
Setting your primary device as the default audio output device is required. You can go about it in a variety of ways.
Use settings
- Right-click on the Start menu button on the taskbar.
- Choose Settings from the Power User menu that appears when you hover your mouse over the Start button.
- It will bring up the Settings app. You can also access Settings by pressing Windows + I on your keyboard.
- After the Settings home page appears on your screen, click on the System icon.
- Click Sound in the left pane of the following page.
- Then, on the right, go to Output under the Sound tab.
- Choose your desired audio device from the Output Device drop-down menu.
- Select Manage Sound Devices from the drop-down menu.
- Click on your audio device on the Manage Sound Devices screen, then Test.
- The speaker is correct if it makes a sound.
Use the Control Panel
- The Run dialogue box is opened simultaneously by pressing the Win keyboard button and R.
- When the run window appears, type “control panel” and press the Enter key on your keyboard.
- Ensure Category mode is selected in the View once the Control Panel has opened.
- Select Hardware and Sound from the drop-down menu.
- Click Manage Audio Devices under Sound on the Hardware and Sound page.
- Select your system’s primary speakers as the default device and click the OK button when the Sound dialogue window displays.
6. Fix The Audio Driver
The audio driver is one of the primary sources of the problem. The driver controls the audio device’s communication with the operating system. The gadget will be harmed if it becomes outdated or corrupt. You must update the driver installation of the latest driver to resolve this issue.
Firstly, you should uninstall the driver. The following are the measures to take:
- Open the Run dialogue box to simultaneously press the Win keyboard button and R.
- After the run appears, type “devmgmt.msc” (without the quotes) and press the Enter key on your keyboard.
- Discover the Sound, Video, and Game Controllers in the Device Manager, then click the arrow beside it.
- Your audio devices will now show up on the screen.
- In the context menu, right-click on your main speaker and select Uninstall Device.
- Checkmark the box next to “Delete the driver software for this device” when the Uninstall Device confirmation window appears.
- Select the OK button.
- Restart your computer now.
7. Use Windows Update
Windows Update controls downloading and installing several updates, including driver upgrades for audio adapters and speakers. When you start the utility, it will search automatically for programs that need to be updated and download and install the updated versions for you.
- Right-click on the Start button on the taskbar.
- Choose Settings from the Power menu that appears when you hover your mouse over the Start button.
- Open Settings by pressing Windows + I on your keyboard.
- After the Settings home page appears on your screen, click the Update & Security option.
- Click the Check for Updates button on the Update & Security page.
- Allow the utility to check for and download any available updates.
- Click the Restart Now button once the updates have been downloaded.
- Your computer will restart, and the updates will be installed.
- Check for an audio problem after the process is completed.