On your Windows 10 computer you can control the sound volume and its properties from the speaker icon found on the notification area. When you click on this icon you will be able to control the master volume as well as choose the output speaker. To access the volume mixer you will have to right click on the speaker icon then click on the volume mixer setting. Sometimes though there are instances when you won’t be able to access the volume mixer. In this latest installment of our troubleshooting series we will show you how to fix volume mixer won’t open issue.
Here’s what you need to do when the volume mixer won’t open
Before performing any of the recommended troubleshooting steps listed below it’s best to restart your computer or phone first. This action refreshes the operating system and remove any corrupt temporary data that could be causing the problem.
There are several factors that can cause this particular problem ranging from a corrupted system file to a driver issue. Listed below are the recommended troubleshooting steps you need to do to fix this problem.
Run an SFC scan
The first thing you will need to do in this case is to run an SFC scan. This will scan for any corrupted system files and restore these files to their working state.
- Type Command Prompt on the search bar then right click on the command prompt app and click on Run as Administrator
- On the command prompt window type the following command then hit the Enter key.
- Type sfc /scannow and hit Enter.
- Your computer will be scanned for any corrupted or missing files.
- If errors are found, you will get the message “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them. Details are included in the CBS.Log %WinDir%\Logs\CBS\CBS.log”
Check if the volume mixer not opening issue still occurs.
Restart the Windows Explorer process
A Windows Explorer process that is stuck can usually cause this problem. Restarting this process can usually fix this.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
- In the Processes tab, locate the Windows Explorer process.
- Right-click on the Windows Explorer process and click on Restart.
Try checking if you can now open the volume mixer.
End the SndVol.exe process
The SndVol.exe process is the process that controls the volume mixer. If this process is stuck then you should end this process.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
- In the Processes tab, locate the SndVol.exe process.
- Right-click on the SndVol.exe process and click on End task.
- Close the Task Manager.
- Right-click on the Speaker icon in the notification area and click on Open Volume Mixer.
Check if the volume mixer won’t open issue still occurs.
Check if the Windows Audio service is running
- Press the Windows Logo key + R to open the Run dialog
- Type services.msc into the Run dialog and press Enter to open the Services manager.
- Scroll down the list of services and locate the Windows Audio service.
- Double-click on the Windows Audio service to open its Properties.
- Click on the dropdown menu located directly next to Startup type: and click on Automatic to select it
- Click Stop to stop the service.
- Next, click on Start to start the service.
- Click on Apply and then on OK.
- Close the Services manager and check to see if the volume mixer not opening issue still persists.
Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter
In case the above steps fails to fix the volume mixer issue then you should try to run the hardware and device troubleshooter tool.
- Search for “troubleshooting” on the search bar
- Click on the search result titled Troubleshooting Setting
- Click on Playing Audio
- Click on Run the Troubleshooter.
- The tool will detect any problems and provide a possible solution which you should follow.
Try to check if the volume mixer will not open issue still occurs.