How to Fix “The Audio Service is Not Running” Error in Windows 10 and 11

If you’re using Windows 10 or 11 and encountering the “The Audio Service is Not Running” error, you’re not alone. This frustrating issue can prevent your sound devices from working properly. Fortunately, there are several methods you can try to resolve the problem and get your audio back up and running.

Method 1: Restart the Windows Audio Service

The Windows Audio service is responsible for managing audio playback on your system. If it’s not running, you can try restarting it:

1. Press the Windows key R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “services.msc” and press Enter to open the Services window.
3. Locate the “Windows Audio” service in the list.
4. Right-click on “Windows Audio” and select “Restart”.
5. Check if the audio service resumes. If not, proceed to the next method.

Method 2: Use Command Prompt to Add Services

If restarting the Windows Audio service doesn’t work, you can try adding the necessary services using Command Prompt:

1. Right-click on the Start button and select “Command Prompt (Admin)”.
2. Type the following commands, pressing Enter after each one:
   • net localgroup administrators /add networkservice
   • net localgroup administrators /add localservice
3. Wait for the commands to execute successfully.
4. Check if the audio service resumes. If not, move on to the next method.

Method 3: Modify the Registry

Modifying the registry can sometimes resolve audio service issues:

1. Press the Windows key R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “regedit” and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. Navigate to the following key:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\AudioSrv
4. Double-click on “ImagePath” in the right pane.
5. Change the value data to:
   %SystemRoot%\System32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs
6. Click “OK” and close the Registry Editor.
7. Restart your computer and check if the audio service resumes.

Method 4: Check Audio Components in Services

Ensuring that all audio-related services are running can help resolve the issue:

1. Open the Run dialog box and type “services.msc”.
2. Locate the following services and make sure they are running:
   • Windows Audio
   • Windows Audio Endpoint Builder
   • Multimedia Class Scheduler
3. If any of these services are not running, right-click on them and select “Start”.
4. Right-click on each service and select “Properties”.
5. Set the “Startup type” to “Automatic” and click “OK”.
6. Restart your computer and check if the audio service resumes.

If none of the above methods work, you can try the following additional steps:

• Reinstall the audio driver in Device Manager.
• Install the default sound drivers.
• Use System Restore or perform a clean install of Windows.
• Restore the registry key from your antivirus software if it was modified.

Remember to keep your audio drivers up to date, avoid enabling audio enhancements if unnecessary, and ensure you’re using the correct audio device for your needs.

By following these methods, you should be able to resolve the “The Audio Service is Not Running” error in Windows 10 and 11. If you continue to experience issues, consider seeking further assistance from Microsoft Support or a qualified technician.