Fix: Audio/Sound/Volume Icon Missing on Windows 10

Jun. 24, 2022 / Updated by Bessie Shaw to Windows 10

Come across the volume icon missing on the Windows 10 when you're using the computer? Encounter the audio icon missing from the notification area after the laptop or desktop restart? Can't adjust the volume because the sound icon has disappeared? Many users come across the no sound icon or volume icon missing from the taskbar after the Windows 10 upgrade or the Windows 10 Anniversary/Creators Update. The great system changes often bring us audio problems like no sound, speaker icon missing, microphone not working, etc. This makes it impossible to play music, to raise or lower the volume, to record our voice or so.

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If you, unfortunately, run into the "volume icon missing" problem on your Windows 10 desktop or laptop, let's fix it instantly with some of the methods below:

Top 5 Ways to Fix Volume Icon Missing Issue on Windows 10 PC

Here we've had top 5 methods for you to restore the missing volume icon to the taskbar on your Windows 10 laptop or desktop. Before we begin, it's recommended to have a check on audio-related hardware devices like the sound card, the speakers, the headphones, etc. in case you waste time in useless system operations. If there's no problem with the hardware, let's get started from Way 1 below.

Way 1. Restart the Windows Explorer and Restore the Missing Volume Icon

You can try restarting the Windows Explorer on Windows 10 to fix the missing volume icon problem.

1. Right-click the Taskbar and select the Task Manager.

2. Go to the Processes tab.

3. Right-click the Windows Explorer and select the Restart.

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See Also:Top 5 Methods to Troubleshoot “Windows Explorer has stopped working” Error

Way 2. Turn on the Volume Icon via Settings on Windows 10

One of the workable solutions to restore the missing volume icon is to turn on or off the system icons in the notification area/taskbar. You can go to the Taskbar settings to enable the audio or sound icon.

1. Right-click the Taskbar and select Taskbar settings.

2. On the right side, navigate to the Notification area.

3. Click the Turn system icons on or off.

4. Toggle the switch next to Volume icon to the On.

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Also, you can back to the Notification area and click the Select which icons appear on the taskbar. Then enable the Volume to fix the problem.

Thus your sound icon should be back on the Windows 10 taskbar. But if you fail to restore the missing volume icon to the taskbar because of the grayed out switch in the Settings, you can go to the Local Group Policy Editor in Way 3 to get the lost speaker icon back.

See Also: How to Fix Red X/Red Cross on WiFi Icon in Windows 10

Way 3. Fix Audio/Sound/Volume Icon Missing via Local Group Policy Editor

When the sound icon disappears from the taskbar and you can't restore it via the Taskbar settings, you can modify the "Remove the volume control icon" entry in group policy on Windows 10 to get it back. Here's how to make it:

1. Use Windows shortcut keysWin + R to launch the Run.

2. Type gpedit.msc into the box.

3. Click the OK.

4. On the left side, expand the User Configuration.

5. Expand the Administrative Templates.

6. Highlight the Start Menu and Taskbar.

7. In the right pane, double-click the Remove the volume control icon.

8. Choose the Not configured or Disabled option.

9. Click the Apply.

10. Click the OK.

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Then go to the Taskbar settings in Way 2 to see if the switch is available and if the volume icon re-appear on the taskbar.

See Also:Fix Missing Laptop Battery Icon on Windows 10 Creators Update

Way 4. Check Sound-related Services and Get the Volume Icon Back to the Taskbar

If the audio or volume icon is still missing from the taskbar, then you need to check the audio-related services on Windows 10.

1. Launch the Run.

2. Type services.msc into the box.

3. Press the OK.

4. Scroll down and double-click the Windows Audio service.

5. Make sure the Service status is Running. If not, click the Start button to enable it.

6. Select Automatic from the drop-down menu of the Startup type.

7. Click OK to save the changes.

Do the same with the service Windows Audio Endpoint Builder.

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Way 5. Reinstall Audio/Sound Card Driver to Fix the No Sound Icon Issue

Besides the methods above, you can also perform a check on audio device drivers on Windows 10. Outdated, incompatible or corrupted sound card drivers may cause audio problems such as no sound, volume icon missing, Bluetooth speakers sound delay, static sound in headphones, etc. So you need to use Windows driver troubleshooters, like Driver Talent, to help to detect audio driver issues and reinstall the best-matched sound card drivers to fix the missing volume icon problem. Click the button below to get it directly.

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As one of the professional driver manager, Driver Talent offers the official and WHQL audio drivers like Realtek HD audio drivers, IDT audio drivers, Intel audio drivers, HP Beats audio drivers and more. Here's how to reinstall the sound card driver with one-click:

1. Go to the "Restore Drivers" menu and click "Uninstall Drivers" button to remove the audio driver.

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2. Go to the "Download & Update" menu and take a driver scan.

3. Click Repair to reinstall the audio driver.

Don't forget to restart the computer to make the driver change take effect. Then the sound icon stays on the taskbar again and you can adjust the volume and play the audio files as before.

Read More:Fix: Volume Control Not Working on Windows 10 Fall Creators Update

    All of above are the best solutions for fixing the volume icon missing issue on Windows 10. If you have any questions about the missing audio/sound/volume icon, you can comment below or go to the OSToto official forum. We are happy to help.

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    Tags: notification area,  audio icon,  sound icon,  volume icon,  Windows 10, 

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