What to do when Can’t Open the Volume Mixer in Windows 10? – Guide
When you can’t access the Windows 10 volume mixer, give these tips an attempt to solve this annoying problem. Sometimes you want to adjust the volume of an application for a perfect desktop, but for some strange reason, you can’t open the volume mixer. This means that you no longer have control over your volume levels and are stuck with what they were set to before the volume mixer disappeared. As it is somewhat difficult to identify the exact cause, it may be necessary to try several solutions before fixing it. However, even if you’re not very tech savvy, you don’t have to worry. Here are some easy ways to fix the volume mixer that doesn’t open in Windows 10.
1. Update Windows
Before going through our list of solutions, make sure you are not running an outdated version of Windows 10. Go to Settings > System > About to check if an update is available. Also, you can try restarting your computer as this may be enough to fix the problem.
2. Update the audio driver
An outdated or corrupt driver can prevent the system from opening the volume mixer. In this case, you should take a look at the audio drivers. Follow these steps to update your audio drivers through Device Manager: If Windows finds an update available, it will download and install it automatically. Once you’ve finished the process, restart your computer and see if you can open the volume mixer.
3. Restart Windows Explorer
Restarting Windows Explorer may be enough to fix the problem and allow you to open the volume mixer. Here’s How to do it:
4. Check Windows services
Windows 10 has a built-in service that runs in the background and takes care of all processes involving audio drivers. Normally, Windows can successfully manage the services on its own, but sometimes they can stop working properly and cause all sorts of problems. Follow these steps to check your Windows audio service: If you don’t find anything wrong with the Windows audio service, try restarting it. In the Services window, right-click on Windows Audio and select Restart.
5. Configure taskbar notifications settings
Sometimes you cannot open the volume mixer if you have turned off taskbar volume notifications. However, you can easily reactivate them.
6. Reset sound settings
There is a chance that you cannot open the Volume Mixer because a third-party application or even another user has changed the system’s audio settings. In that case, you should revert these settings to their default values. Here’s How to do it:
7. Check the speaker properties
Improper speaker settings can cause the volume mixer to stop working properly. Also, third-party sound-related applications may overwrite your settings, which can lead to different issues. Here’s How to check your computer’s speaker properties:
8. Run the audio playback troubleshooter
Windows has many troubleshooting tools that you can use whenever you need to fix something on your computer. So it’s not surprising that there is an audio troubleshooter that will automatically look for any hardware issues. Follow these steps to run the audio playback troubleshooter: If you still cannot open the volume mixer, you can try using the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter. Although Microsoft has removed it from the Windows 10 Settings menu, you can still access it through the command prompt. Enter the command prompt in the Start menu search bar, right-click on Best Match and select Run as Administrator. Type msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic.
9. Run the System File Checker check
One of the Windows system files may be damaged or corrupted, preventing you from opening the volume mixer. In that case, you can run System File Checker (or SFC). This will not only scan and identify corrupt or damaged system files, but will automatically replace them. Follow these steps to run an SFC scan: In the Start menu search bar, search for the command prompt and select Run as administrator. Type sfc /scannow. Press Enter. SFC Scan on Windows 10
10. Edit Windows registry
Although this is a more complicated solution, adding a new value to the Windows Registry will fix the volume mixer malfunction. Follow these steps to create a new subkey: In the Start menu search bar, look for the registry editor and select Run as administrator. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows NT. Right-click Current Version and select New Key. Name it MTCUVC. Right click on MTCUVC > New > DWORD Value (32 bit). Right-click on the newly created subkey and select Rename. Name it EnableMtcUvc. Set the value to 0 and the base to hexadecimal. registry editor Note: Before starting to edit the Windows Registry, you must create a system restore point.
11. Uninstall third-party audio applications
As discussed, these applications can change system audio settings. If this keeps happening and you have to go through Windows settings frequently, take a look at these apps. You can check the settings and limit access or prevent them from starting at startup. If that doesn’t work, you can uninstall them. From the news www.makeuseof.com
Final note
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