How to fix "there no active mixer devices available" error message in Windows

Posted on October 11, 2007 at 4:42 pm

Make sure to read other posts from the Fix Windows Errors series!

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How to fix access is denied, file may be in use, or sharing violation errors in Windows
How to fix "there no active mixer devices available" error message in Windows
How to fix svchost.exe errors and problems with high CPU usage

I recently worked on a client’s computer that was giving them the error “no active mixer devices available” whenever they clicked on the volume icon in their task bar. This problem came up out of nowhere and it was almost of if the computer never had sound before! In the Sound and Audio Devices applet in Control Panel, everything was grayed out and there was a message saying “No audio device” under the Volume tab.

Upon checking under the Hardware section via the System Properties, we found a couple of yellow exclamation points next to Multimedia Audio Controller. Now this issue would have been easy to fix if the computer had a separate sound card installed and would have simply involved downloading and re-installing the latest drive for the card. Sometimes the driver becomes corrupt and the sound disappears. In this case, just go to Dell, HP, or your manufacture’s web site and download the audio drivers.

However, if your sound card is integrated into your motherboard, you’ll have to re-install the motherboard sound drivers. This is a little trickier because you need to first find the make and model of your motherboard. You can figure out the model of your motherboard in three ways:

1. Open the computer and find the sticker or embedded name of the manufacturer. Be sure it’s not the maker of the chipset, as that will not help.

2. Everest software - a free app that will help you identify your motherboard.

3. Belarc Advisor - Another nifty little app that will give you a crap load of information about your computer including the motherboard.

Once you have the model information, you’ll need to perform a search for the number or try to go to the web site of the maker. Find your driver, install it and restart the computer. You should now have your sound back!

Any questions, post a comment!

Technorati Tags: no active mixer devices available, sound gone, no sound, no audio device, i have no sound

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11 Responses to “How to fix "there no active mixer devices available" error message in Windows”

khan said on : January 9th, 2008 at 4:21 am

sir there is same problem in my system showing that there is no active mixer device,what should i doo, pls reply me soon.
thank you.

Khalid said on : May 10th, 2008 at 6:09 am

When i start media file. no mixer device is fornd is shown
How do i install active mixer device
Help me

malditha said on : May 14th, 2008 at 10:59 am

i have the same problem like khan..pls…help me my cpu

spec=intel(R) celeron(R) D CPU 3.06GHz

zeny said on : May 18th, 2008 at 9:47 am

i have the same problem like khan.plzzzzz help me im in the tension

karuna said on : May 22nd, 2008 at 9:36 am

i had a problem of active mixer device is not available. please send a correction report

bhushan said on : June 7th, 2008 at 12:56 pm

i have the same problem and i have tried your solution but its not working please help me.
thanks.

yadanar said on : June 21st, 2008 at 7:14 am

pls help me~ i have the same problem…

Veronica said on : July 5th, 2008 at 2:48 am

Bless you, bless you, bless you!!!! This fixed the exact same problem I was having as stated above. Thank you so much!

vakil said on : July 6th, 2008 at 11:59 pm

sir there is same problem in my system showing that there is no active mixer device,what should i doo, pls reply me soon.
thank you.