How to restore completely lost sound after 25H2 update

To restore sound after the Windows 11, version 25H2 update, you can try the following methods:

Method 1: Uninstall and Reinstall the Audio Device

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Locate your audio device under Sound, video and game controllers.
3. Right-click on the audio device and select Uninstall Device. Make sure not to check the option to delete the driver software.
4. Restart your computer. Windows should automatically reinstall the audio driver.

Method 2: Change USB Port (if applicable)

If you are using a USB audio device, try connecting it to a different USB port. Sometimes, the issue may be related to the specific port being used.

Method 3: Install Device-Specific Driver

If your audio device has a specific driver, install it before connecting the device. This can help ensure that Windows selects the correct driver instead of the default USB audio driver.

If these methods do not resolve the issue, you may want to check for any updates or patches from Microsoft that specifically address audio issues in Windows 11, version 25H2. Additionally, consider using the Feedback Hub to report the problem to Microsoft.

References:

• USB audio device not playing
• Resolved issues in Windows 11, version 25H2

Hi Barry Mc,

To resolve this, we need to bypass the specific manufacturer driver that is failing to load and force the generic Microsoft High Definition Audio architecture at the controller level, not the endpoint level. Open Device Manager, but do not look under "Sound, video and game controllers" yet. Instead, expand the System devices category near the bottom of the list. Look for an entry named "Intel Smart Sound Technology (Intel SST) Audio Controller," "Intel Smart Sound Technology OED," or simply "High Definition Audio Controller" that might have a yellow triangle or even appear normal.

Right-click this controller within System devices, select Update driver, then choose Browse my computer for drivers, followed by Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer. In the list that appears, ignore the specific manufacturer options (like Intel or Realtek) and explicitly select High Definition Audio Controller (the generic Microsoft driver). Click Next and confirm any warnings about compatibility. This action forces the kernel to abandon the stuck proprietary overlay and use the native Windows class driver. Once this installation finishes, reboot your machine. Upon restart, Windows should correctly re-enumerate the audio endpoints under "Sound, video and game controllers" and map the correct driver files, restoring sound immediately.

I hope you've found something useful here. If it helps you get more insight into the issue, it's appreciated to accept the answer. Should you have more questions, feel free to leave a message. Have a nice day!

VP

Hi Barry Mc,

I understand your frustration and appreciate your quick action to remain on Windows 10 to maintain productivity.

For your information, as of October 14, 2025, Windows 10 Pro officially reached its End of Life (EOL) for mainstream support. While you assessed the risk regarding email attachments, the operating system is no longer receiving free monthly cumulative updates to patch system-level vulnerabilities (such as remote code execution flaws in SMB or TCP/IP stacks). To keep these machines secure while you prepare your Ubuntu infrastructure, you should enroll them in the Windows 10 Extended Security Update (ESU) program. This is a paid subscription that ensures you continue to receive critical security patches, effectively buying you time to migrate to Linux without leaving your network exposed to unpatched exploits.

I hope you've found something useful here. If it helps you get more insight into the issue, it's appreciated to accept the answer. Should you have more questions, feel free to leave a message. Have a nice day!

VP

Hello,

I am following up to see whether you have resolved the issue or not. Since you have opted to remain on Windows 10, please strictly adhere to the advice regarding the Extended Security Update (ESU) program. As of October 2025, Windows 10 is no longer serviced with free security patches, so an ESU subscription is the only method to protect your business data from critical exploits until your Linux migration is complete.

If the issue has been successfully resolved, please consider accepting the answer as it helps other people sharing the same question benefit too. Thank you!

VP