The Windows audio service is an important function of your computer that allows you to play sound through the speakers and record sound with a microphone. This service typically starts automatically when you boot up your computer and runs in the background so you can listen to music and use other features.
If you’ve been using Windows for some time, you may have noticed that the Windows Audio service occasionally stops. It’s frustrating when the audio cuts out while you’re working. What’s causing this, and can you fix it? This post will examine what causes the Windows Audio service to stop and possible solutions.
Why Does Windows Audio Service Keep Stopping?
The Windows Audio service manages all audio on a Windows computer. Several factors can cause the Windows Audio service to stop working, including audio driver failure, Windows registry damage, audio component issues, or audio hardware issues. Here we have collected some possible solutions for you:
Restart Windows Audio Service and Audio Components
Audio service and components receive and deliver the audio signals from the computer to your output device. Here is how to restart it to default settings:
- Open “Run” by pressing “Windows key + R.”
- Type “services. msc” in the search bar and press enter.
- Now, navigate for “Window audio” and “Window audio endpoint” from the list.
- Right-click on each and go to properties. Ensure that Windows audio and endpoint “start type” is set to “Automatic.”
- You can restart both services one by one. Right-click to open the file and click “Restart” from the file.
Note: If restarting the service causes it to stop, restart your PC immediately after setting the audio service startup type to auto.
Update Windows Audio Drivers
If nothing is working, check your audio drivers. These drivers may be corrupted or outdated. Try updating your drivers from the device manager.
- Open the device manager and click on “audio inputs and outputs.”
- First, try to scan for new drivers automatically from the scan option.
- If nothing works, expand the “audio inputs and outputs” and select “update drivers.”
- Now select update automatically to start updating the drivers from the internet.
Reinstall Windows Audio Driver
If your drivers are corrupted, then updating won’t help at all. You will need to reinstall the drivers after you uninstall them. Here’s how you can do it:
- Go to the device manages and expand the “audio inputs and outputs.”
- Here, right-click on your sound drivers and select uninstall.
- After uninstalling the drivers, press “Scan for new hardware” to reinstall the drivers automatically.
Change The Bit Rate In Playback Devices
Bit rate refers to the number of bits produced or transmitted per second. It has a great impact on the quality of audio and video files. Each device has its bit rate. If your output device bit rate is incompatible, you might face this audio service-stopping issue.
- Right-click on the sound icon that is on the taskbar.
- Go to the Playback tab, select your audio device, and click the “Properties” button.
- Once in the playback windows, click on the “Advanced” tab. Here, you will find the Bitrates with Hertz in the file.
- Select the bit rate according to your output device.
Note: You can find the hertz and bitrates of your output device on the user manual, the manufacturer’s website, or the device itself.
Turn Off Windows Default Sound Effects
Windows has various built-in sound effects that can be used to customize the experience of listening to audio or watching videos. Some common examples include sounds for clicking, minimizing/maximizing windows, and notifications. These sounds enable the sound service simultaneously, leading to the audio service failure.
- Right-click the sound icon and go to “Sound” from the file.
- Select the “Sounds” menu from the bar and navigate to the Windows default sound effects. Select “No sounds” to turn off Windows default sound effects.
Registry Tweak To Fix Audio Service Not Responding Problem
Registry tweaks are small changes to the settings and configuration of your Windows operating system that can be made through the Windows Registry. You can make these changes in service DLL files in the registry menu to resolve the audio service not responding issue.
- First, press “Windows+R” and type “Regedit” in the dialog box to open the system registry.
- Now navigate to “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\AudioEndPointBuilde”
- Here, search for “ServiceDll.”
- If its value is %SystemRoot%\System32\Audiosrv.dll, it is corrupted and causing the problem.
- Change its value to %SystemRoot%\System32\AudioEndPointBuilder.dll.
Run Windows Audio Troubleshooter
Audio troubleshooting is best when you have no clue what is causing the disconnection issue. Troubleshooting not only detects the problem it often automatically resolves it. Here’s how you can troubleshoot the audio service.
- In Windows 10, the process is simple: go to Windows settings by searching “Settings” in the Windows menu.
- Select “Update and security.”
- Here, you will find “Troubleshoot” in the left-side menu.
- Once the file is open, click on “Additional Troubleshooters.”
- Click on “Playing audio” and then click on “troubleshoot.”
- It will automatically detect the issue and will try to resolve it.
Open the Services App and Check Autostart
Sometimes, the audio service does not start automatically. This Windows Audio Service Keep Stopping issue might be due to corruption in the files or the program. Here’s how to check whether the service is working properly or not.
- Open task manager, go to “Services,” and check whether it is running.
- If it’s not running, go to “Device Manager.” and “disable” it.
- Now you have to “Enable” it again and restart the PC.
Restart Windows Audio Service
Restarting the entire Audio service is not difficult, and it might resolve your issue for good. Audio service includes output and input audio devices (Speakers and Mics).
- Open the “Run” by searching in the Windows menu.
- Write “services. msc” in the dialogue box and press enter.
- Once you are in the Windows services, look for “Windows Audio.”
- Right-click on it to open the file and select restart from the file.
Initiate The Necessary Audio Components
Some necessary services that assist the audio services must be initiated if they are not working or have stopped working.
- Open the “Run” by searching in the Windows menu.
- Write “services. msc” in the dialogue box and press enter.
- Search “RPC Endpoint Mapper,” “Remote Procedure Call (RPC),” and “DCOM Server Process Launcher.”
- Right-click on each one by one and press “Start” or “Restart.”
- Now check the properties off them to ensure their “Startup type” is set to “Automatic.”
Install The Realtek Or High Definition Audio Device
If you are using system audio drivers for your PC or laptop, there is a greater chance you might face this Windows Audio Service Keep Stopping issue. You can try to install audio managers like Realtek and High DivinatioAudioio. Both these audio drivers can manage the output and input device signals simultaneously.
The installation process is quite simple; you just need to go to the official website of Realtek and download the required drivers. Here, you will find the list of all Realtek possible drivers from Windows Vista to Windows 10.
Configure Windows Startup Selection
All startups are supposed to start automatically with the operating system. But sometimes, some startups might not start automatically due to malfunctioning. Here’s how you can configure Windows audio startup services.
- Open Run from the Windows search menu and open it.
- Write “msconfig” in the dialogue box and press enter.
- Search for “Realtek” audio drivers or drivers you have installed.
- Check whether their status is running or stopped. If they are stopped, click on “Enable all.”
What Causes the Audio Services Not Responding Error?
Several factors can cause the audio services not to respond to errors, including problems with your software settings or hardware configuration, conflicts with other programs or devices on your computer, or issues with system updates or drivers.
- Hardware is not supported.
- Input or output devices are not compatible with Windows.
- Incorrect or corrupted software settings.
- Junk or malware on your computer.
- Audio services errors.
Conclusion
Windows audio services are the services that control all the audio input and output signals and respond to them. These services might get corrupted due to hardware or software issues. You can fix these issues by following the methods mentioned above. If you still face issues, feel free to contact our expert team.

Hey, I’m Hammad. I have been writing for several years now and have amassed a wealth of experience within my field. My focus is on technology and gaming, two areas that I am highly knowledgeable about. Also, I’m writer for iPhonEscape.com and CPUGPUnerds.com as well and where I have written over 350 articles.