Fix Audio Services Not Responding on Windows 10

Windows 10 operating system is the most popular OS for a number of auspicious reasons. One of them being that it is extremely user-friendly and easy to deal with. This means that you don't have to be tech-savvy in order to get a grip on the operating system and its functions. Even when you face an error, you can simply get the help of its built-in troubleshooter, which will solve most of the issues you might face on Windows 10.

Lately, there have been quite a number of reports from users encountering an error message that says "Audio Services not responding" whenever they try to fix their sound devices. Even after using Windows' built-in troubleshooter, users report that the problem remains unsolved, and the same message pops up every time. This error seems to have started after the new Windows 10 1809 update. This error leaves users' sound devices unresponsive to their PC's commands which means the device drivers have become outdated or corrupted.

If you're facing this error too and you're looking for a solution, you're in the right place! This article will explain what this error is and how it comes to happen as well as how to fix it in a few easy steps.
 

What Causes the Audio Services Not Responding Error?

The most common reason behind this error is the audio drivers on your Windows 10. If your drivers are outdated, damaged, or installed incorrectly, you most probably will encounter a number of audio issues, including the "audio services not responding" error.

Since Windows 10 users noticed that this error occurred after installing the new Windows Update, we concluded that it must be a bug in the system. Although updates' purpose is to fix issues, it’s common that a new update might bring new bugs as well.

Lucky for you, we have a list of fixes to conveniently get rid of this error without wasting time or taking drastic measures like resetting your PC or reinstalling Windows 10.

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How to Fix Audio Services Not Responding in Windows 10

There are many methods by which you can solve this issue. We collected the most efficient methods and made a list for you to go over. Here's how you can fix the "Audio services not responding" error on Windows 10:

Method #1: Restart the Audio Services

The first solution we can suggest for you is a simple restart of your audio services. Restarting audio services, which manage the sound on your PC, may fix this issue. Here's how you can do that:

1. Press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard to open the Run dialogue box.
2. Type in services.msc and click on the OK button. The Services window will appear. Wait a few seconds for it to load.
    
    
3. Right-click on the Windows Audio service and then choose Properties.
    
    
4. Once in the properties window, set the Startup type to Automatic. If the service isn’t running yet, click on the Start button. Then click Apply, and finally click OK. You should be back at the list of services.
    
    
5. Now, repeat the same steps for the Windows Audio Endpoint Builder service.
6. Once both services have been changed to automatic startup, restart your PC.

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Method #2: Start the necessary audio services

It's possible that you or someone else using your PC has recently disabled services related to system audio. These services can be accidentally disabled, but they are important for the audio services to function properly. For example, it might have been an application that disabled these services lately, causing it to give you the error that says "audio services not responding." Here is how you can activate these services again:

1. Press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard to open the Run dialogue box.
2. Type in services.msc and click on the OK button. The Services window will appear. Wait a few seconds for it to load.
    
    
3. Right-click on each one of the following services, and then go to the Start option: 
   • DCOM Server Process Launcher
   • Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
   • RPC Endpoint Mapper
4. After you activate all 3 services, right-click on them again and click on Properties. Check if the Startup type is set to Automatic; if not, then set it to Automatic.
5. Restart your computer and check if your issue has been solved.
    

 Method #3: Add local and network services with commands

Command prompt is a built-in manual coding software on Windows that helps you solve issues manually. Although this seems like you need some tech expertise to go on with this, worry not! We'll help you do that step by step. With Command Prompt, you'll be adding network and local services to the local Administration group.

Let's get to how you can add these commands manually 

1. Go to the search bar in your taskbar and type in "cmd" or "command prompt."
2. When it appears, right-click on it and choose Run as Administrator.
3. If prompted by the User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to allow the app to launch with administrative permissions.
4. Once the Command Prompt window is open, type in the following command and press Enter to execute it: net localgroup administrators networkservice /add
    
5. Then, type in the following command and press Enter: net localgroup administrators localservice /add
    
    
6. Restart your PC and check if the audio issue still persists or not.
    

Method #4: Install the default sound drivers

Some users found that installing the default sound drivers has helped them fix the "audio services not responding error."

Here is how you can do that yourself:

1. From the Start menu, choose Settings, or press Windows + I to go directly to Settings.
2. Click on the System tab, and then go to Advanced system settings from the right-side menu.
3. Now, click on the Hardware tab on top, then click on the Device Installation Settings icon.
4. From the new window that appears, select the option that says “No (your device might not work as expected).”
5. Then, click on the Save changes button.
6. Next, you need to disable your current audio driver(s).
7. Press the Windows + X keys on your keyboard, then click on Device Manager.
    
    
8. Click on the arrow icon in front of it to expand the Sound, video, and game controllers section. You will find your audio drivers there.
9. Right-click on your audio driver and select Uninstall device.
10. Make sure to checkmark the Delete the driver software for this device option and click Uninstall. This is going to remove the driver itself.
11. After you uninstall the device and driver, click on the Scan for hardware changes button. This will install the default sound drivers.
12. Plug out any sound device and restart your computer. 
    
     

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Method #5: Install the Realtek or high definition audio device

In some cases, it has been discovered that the IDT High Definition Audio Codec is the reason behind this error. To solve this issue, try to install the Realtek or High Definition audio device instead.

1. Press the Windows + X keys on your keyboard at the same time, then click on Device Manager.
2. Click on the arrow icon in front of the Sound, video, and game controllers section to expand it. Next, right-click on the sound device and choose Update Driver.
3. In the dialogue window, click on Browse my computer for driver software, and then click on the Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer button.
4. Find and select High Definition Audio Device. If you can’t see it in the list, uncheck the Show compatible hardware option. Then, click Next to continue.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions until the installation is complete.
6. Restart your computer. If the issues aren’t fixed, repeat the steps and select Realtek High Definition Audio instead.
    

Method #6: Use a restore point

If none of the methods above worked, you should try restoring your system to a point when you didn't have this issue. This could help with the “Audio services not responding” error. Here's how you can do that:

1. Type in "System Restore" in your search bar and click on Recovery from the search results.
2. Click on the Open System Restore link in the Advanced recovery tools section.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to restore a past point in time. You can select a restore point yourself or use the recommended one. Make sure to check what files and applications will be affected when you restore your system.
4. After choosing the options you want, click on the Finish button and wait for Windows 10 to restore your computer.

If the problem is not solved after trying all six methods, it is better to try reinstalling Windows.
 

Method #7: Reinstall Windows 10

You might want to consider reinstalling Windows 10 if nothing of the above worked. Unfortunately, this means that most of your applications and system configuration will get erased. But you can reinstall the system without losing any personal files if you choose to.
 

Conclusion

Facing sound issues when you're trying to use your device can be extremely dissatisfying, and we understand that! That is why this article explains what the "audio services not responding" error means, how you can fix it, and what causes it to happen.

If you tried one way and it didn't work, don't get frustrated and keep trying. Eventually, one of the methods will work best for you, and your issue will be solved. However, if you get to method number 6 and haven't gotten lucky yet, it is necessary to resort to reinstalling Windows 10 on your device.