No Sound- The device is being used by another application

[CountMike]

SIMPLE SOLUTION EVERYONE!

I’m not a computer expert in terminology or skill but found the solution for my computer. People are talking about getting 8.1, but unless you’re getting it for free (unlikely), no need to upgrade. Perform a system restore on your computer dating before the last update. I restored from 6/27.

After the restore only half my volume worked (the left side). Left click the “speakers” icon on my bottom right à Left click the “speakers” icon located above the volume...the only symbol that looks like a speaker above the volume... à Once you get to speaker properties select “levels” (from the menu options) à The first should be your Audio output. To the right, you will see “Balance” à Select balance à It will show the “l” left side and “r” right side volume balance à Adjust and your speakers are balanced.

Problem is with sound after updates to Win8, that means they already have it and 8.1 is an FREE update to Win8. So if that fixes the problem ....... there's nothing to pay.

 

[AubC]

SIMPLE SOLUTION EVERYONE!

I’m not a computer expert in terminology or skill but found the solution for my computer. People are talking about getting 8.1, but unless you’re getting it for free (unlikely), no need to upgrade. Perform a system restore on your computer dating before the last update. I restored from 6/27.

After the restore only half my volume worked (the left side). Left click the “speakers” icon on my bottom right à Left click the “speakers” icon located above the volume...the only symbol that looks like a speaker above the volume... à Once you get to speaker properties select “levels” (from the menu options) à The first should be your Audio output. To the right, you will see “Balance” à Select balance à It will show the “l” left side and “r” right side volume balance à Adjust and your speakers are balanced.

Problem is with sound after updates to Win8, that means they already have it and 8.1 is an FREE update to Win8. So if that fixes the problem ....... there's nothing to pay.

I agree...Why is everyone holding back from 8.1?

 

[sumtrades]

Didn't make it very clear that I was talking about sound. I also had no sound after the update. The system restore and Speaker Properties options fixed my sound issue. Thank you for updating about free Windows 8.1...shows my ignorance! Either way, I have no doubt 8.1 fixes the issue as well.

 

[CountMike]

Didn't make it very clear that I was talking about sound. I also had no sound after the update. The system restore and Speaker Properties options fixed my sound issue. Thank you for updating about free Windows 8.1...shows my ignorance! Either way, I have no doubt 8.1 fixes the issue as well.

Many are afraid to Upgrade to 8.1 and further (there's an update for that too) because there were some problems reported. I had one problem because of older GPU that did not get right drivers for, 'til couple of weeks later. It required a "Legacy" driver from AMD to work properly. M$ managed to change something in 8.1, in the way some drivers work and most manufacturers were in a no hurry to follow up with new drivers. So before upgrading I would check for newest drivers first.

 

[insamity]

i'm having this exact same problem. i was wondering if anyone else noticed that youtube videos also won't play?

 

[CathyT]

I am 99% certain that it's Update KB2962407 that is causing the problem. When I uninstalled just that update, presto, my sound is back and has stayed OK now for the last couple of days. Tried various things like using headphones, playing music etc. Microsoft's site reports issues with this too. And yes, I'm sure it's the part of the update that talks about "idle audio devices shortening battery life."

For those who mention installing Windows 8.1; I have now tried to do that twice, and each time it messed things up so badly I had to totally wipe out my computer and start all over. I have an HP Envy 4-1115dx; each time, immediately after I installed 8.1, I started getting "Power Drive Failure" messages and the BSOD again and again. Checked with MS, checked with HP, no solutions, so I am sticking with Windows 8.

BTW, I also see people talking about having to System Restore to get rid of the Updates; easier to go to Windows Update. On the left, View Update History. On the top of that screen, click on Installed Updates. Then just right-click the update you want to uninstall. Works great.

Hope this helps. I am going to just manually update from now on and NOT choose that one. I suppose they will fix this sooner or later.

 

[markabir]

I have been having the same problem since I ran the latest update. I am using Windows 8 on Asus notebook. The sound is fixed only when I restart my computer. But if I put my computer on sleep, the sound will stop working again when the computer starts.

 

[humbertocov]

Hey! Same problem here 2 days ago, Lenovo ideapad, sound works at start, stops working anytime, I updated 2 days ago, waiting for a solution.

 

[Murray UK]

Same intermittent problem with my wife's laptop Acer Aspire V5-571P. Have applied CathyT's suggestion above. Sound came back immediately. Need to see how long it lasts! Have also stopped Windows auto update and switched to manual for the time being.

 

[GaryG45]

Update KB2962407 seems to be the cause of the problem

I want to make those of you who have updated to Windows 8.1 aware that the update that appears to be the cause of the no sound problem also applies to 8.1. If you upgrade to 8.1 and install update KB2962407, the no sound problem will probably return. On other forums I have seen people with 8.1 reporting the problem.

 

[jent]

I've updated to Windows 8.1 and the issue still occurs

 

[insamity]

I am 99% certain that it's Update KB2962407 that is causing the problem. When I uninstalled just that update, presto, my sound is back and has stayed OK now for the last couple of days. Tried various things like using headphones, playing music etc. Microsoft's site reports issues with this too. And yes, I'm sure it's the part of the update that talks about "idle audio devices shortening battery life."

For those who mention installing Windows 8.1; I have now tried to do that twice, and each time it messed things up so badly I had to totally wipe out my computer and start all over. I have an HP Envy 4-1115dx; each time, immediately after I installed 8.1, I started getting "Power Drive Failure" messages and the BSOD again and again. Checked with MS, checked with HP, no solutions, so I am sticking with Windows 8.

BTW, I also see people talking about having to System Restore to get rid of the Updates; easier to go to Windows Update. On the left, View Update History. On the top of that screen, click on Installed Updates. Then just right-click the update you want to uninstall. Works great.

Hope this helps. I am going to just manually update from now on and NOT choose that one. I suppose they will fix this sooner or later.

i want to try this, but i can't find how to view my update history. can you explain it a little more, please?

edit: nevermind

 

[CathyT]

I just noticed your edit, "nevermind" , I'm assuming you found it OK? If not, I'll write more steps.

 

[Snowyjoey]

I had this problem last Friday after installing the 12 system updates that Microsoft rolled out. I could not play any songs on Windows music player and songs on itunes would not start when I double-clicked on them. Also no sound on youtube videos,etc. I quickly realised that it was something in one of these updates that was the cause of the problem. It took me about three hours of wasted time finding the solution to this problem. As others on here have mentioned previously, the problem is with the Update for Microsoft Windows(KB2962407). You need to uninstall this update. Do not worry that this update is needed and essential. Yes, it is essential, apparently for onscreen keyboards on tablets! Microsoft really are idiots sometimes! I uninstalled this update last Friday night and the sound on my Windows 8 laptop came back again. Unfortunately, it is not just as simple as that though. The following day(last Saturday) this update went and installed itself again so you have to stop the update from re-installing itself. Here is what you need to do to get your audio back. Trust me this will sort out the problem as I did this last Saturday evening and it is now Thursday night and I have experienced no more audio problems on my Windows 8 laptop.

Go into Control Panel - then click on Windows Update. Bottom left of page click on Installed Updates. Go to right of page and click on Installed On. This will show the most recent updates to your system. I had a list of 12 that were installed on 10/07/14. The Update for Microsoft Windows(KB2962407) will be here. Right click on it and Uninstall it. This will probably take about ten minutes or so and your laptop will re-start. Now you need to make sure the update does not re-install back onto your system. Again Go back into Control Panel - Windows Update. Click on Check for updates. The system will search for updates and it will show that 1 important update is available. This will be the dreaded KB2962407. Right click on it and press Hide update. Then hit the OK button. This will stop this update from being re-installed and you will have no more audio problems.

The person(s) responsible for this update should be sacked. Microsoft should come out and apologise for this mistake. It really is disgraceful!

 

[wisteriaisland]

Go into Control Panel - then click on Windows Update. Bottom left of page click on Installed Updates. Go to right of page and click on Installed On. This will show the most recent updates to your system. I had a list of 12 that were installed on 10/07/14. The Update for Microsoft Windows(KB2962407) will be here. Right click on it and Uninstall it.

This seem to have worked for me. Thanks Snowyjoey.

 

[LegatoYN]

Thanks everybody!
I unistalled the update KB2962407 and it seems to be working

 

[bvgp]

i have upgraded to 8.1 and sound is ok 3 days now

 

[Vegan Girl]

I am totally having this issue too on my 2 month old Pavilion and it is driving me bonkers - I call HP get a nice person in India each time who does pretty much the same thing with Remote access - works for 5 mins and then BLAHHH nothing again. I am totally fed up. I have tried pretty much everything at this point. Someone is supposed to be calling me at 6pm EST to do system repair back to factory settings thing. They need to bloody throw the thing away and give me a new one - this was already a refurbished deal. Never again!!!!!!

 

[Vegan Girl]

Cathy T and SnowyJoey I think you cracked it so far so gooooooooooooooooood xxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[CrimsonSkies]

I've uninstalled KB2962407, and it worked fine all last night, but now again it's showing the "This device is being used by another application..." and the sound isn't working.