Microsoft re-released the Windows 10 1809 update on Oct. 9th with a patch for the files deleting issue due to deletion of user profiles in the first builds of the update which rolled out earlier this month. The new build fixes the issue with user profiles build but it’s now breaking audio on several Windows 10 machines.

The latest Windows 10 1809 update has caused the Intel High Definition Audio driver to stop working resulting in no sound on the several Windows 10 PCs and Laptops which received the update. Thankfully, Microsoft has tracked down the source of the problem, and it’s not their fault. As it turns out, Intel unintentionally released version 9.21.00.3755 of the Intel Smart Sound Technology (ISST) Driver through Windows Update, which overrode the current audio driver on your PC and caused the audio to stop working.

Microsoft has now removed the Intel Smart Sound Technology driver update from the Windows 10 1809 update, but if your computer is affected by the previous build of Windows 10 1809, you need to do the following to fix the problem.

How to fix Windows 10 1809 audio not working problem

  1. From the Start menu search for Device Manager, and open the program.
  2. Double-click on Sound, video and game controllers and Other devices.
  3. Look for a High Definition Audio Device with a yellow exclamation mark.
  4. Click on the High Definition Audio Device to select it and then click the View menu and select Devices by connection.
  5. Look for the controller device called Intel Smart Sound Technology driver version 09.21.00.3755, right-click on it and select Properties.
  6. Go to the Driver tab, and then click Uninstall Device as shown below.
  7. You will get a pop-up, make sure you tick the Delete the driver software for this device check box, then hit the Uninstall button.
  8. Restart your PC.

That’s it. Your Windows 10 PC should have the audio back after uninstalling the faulty driver update. Cheers!