Solution to sound problems after installing Vista SP1

Symptoms

After you install Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1), you may experience one or more of the following sound problems:

• There is no sound when playing audio files or running programs that contain audio components.

• In the notification area, the speaker symbol next to the clock may display the following message: No audio output device is installed.

• The sound controller in Device Manager displays a yellow exclamation point.

Reason

Sound behavior changes because Windows Vista SP1 updates system files and many device drivers within the computer to improve device reliability. To do this, the Service Pack will reinstall a large number of device drivers at the end of the installation process. Some old drivers may experience installation failures during this process.

Note: We recommend that you install the latest drivers for your hardware before you install Windows Vista SP1. This will help to avoid the problems mentioned in the "Symptoms" section.

Solution

To resolve this issue, use the following methods in the order listed. After you have tried each method, determine whether you can hear the sound. To do this, you can use programs such as Windows Media player to play an audio file.

Note: Remember to turn up the volume of the Computer speakers and program volume controls.

Method 1: Restart the computer

After you install Windows Vista SP1, you must restart your computer at least once to ensure that all related procedures are complete, including the driver installation process.

After you restart your computer, make sure you can hear sounds.

Method 2: Reinsert the computer speakers

Most sound cards that are compatible with Windows Vista have a feature that detects audio jacks that are plugged into the speakers. You may need to unplug the computer speakers from the sound card and reinsert them into the original port. This procedure enables the audio detection feature to configure the output device.

Method 3: Verify that the settings for the default output device are correct

After you install Windows Vista SP1, you may find that the default output device (also known as "playback Device") has changed.

To set the default device, follow these steps: 1. Click Start, type a sound in the Start search box, and then click Sound in the search results at the top of the Start menu.

2. Click the Play tab. A check mark appears next to the default device. For most users, the default device is speakers.

Figure 1 Verifying the default output device

3. Click the item you want to set as the default device, and then click Set as Default.

4. Click OK to save the settings and close the Sound dialog box.