Microsoft hasn't been terribly impressive lately

Especially when it comes to Windows 10 updates Microsoft has had issues.  In fact, it's fair to say that they've been a complete mess.  Just recently, they've issued updates that have deleted user files and caused crashes after creating incompatibilities with keyboard drivers. Now, (courtesy of the most recent Windows 10 update), many users are reporting that they've got no sound due to corrupted or incompatible audio drivers.

The company has made hasty corrections to their previously botched updates and patches, but as yet, there has been no official word from the company about a fix for the audio driver issue. The legions of Windows 10 users aren't happy about it, and are taking to social media to express their displeasure.

All over Reddit and Twitter

Blogs have been full of comments from dissatisfied Windows 10 users are up in arms about the string of shoddy updates that have created more problems than they have solved.

Microsoft hasn't released a fix for the latest debacle

However, the company's massive user base has begun investigating and have come up with a workaround.

In a nutshell, if you've installed the latest Windows 10 update and lost your audio as a result, go into your device manager and look for an audio driver that has "SST" as part of the name.  If you find one on the list, right click that device and select "Update Driver."  Once the driver has been updated (which may require a system restart), your audio functionality should be restored.

Our perspective

As mentioned at the start, this isn't the first time the company has issued a botched update, and the problems only appear to be getting worse over time.  It seems clear at this point that Microsoft doesn't have enough support staff to identify and prioritize bugs reported by their army of beta testers.  Until that changes, we can expect issues like this to continue.


The author

Thanks for reading this short post. For more tips on thriving with small business technology, check out the other blog posts at DWPia Blogs. I am also available at dwpia on LinkedIn, at dwpia on Facebook, and @dwpia on Twitter.

Cybersecurity Expert, Small Business Technology Consultant, Managed Services Provider, Managed IT Support

Denis S Wilson

I am President and Principal Consultant for DWP Information Architects: specializing in managed IT support for smaller healthcare practices, clinics, insurance companies, law firms, and construction companies in Ventura County and San Fernando Valley. And have created cost-effective IT solutions, for over 20 years, specializing in cybersecurity and regulatory compliance.

I am also a published author and speaker, working extensively with organizations that include: the State of California, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Small Business Administration (SBA), SCORE, Women's Business Centers, and Small Business Development Centers. As well as providing small business technology education programs through business and professional associations.

Contact me if you would like me to speak at your meeting.

Meanwhile, check out this report

Executive Report: 10 Hidden IT Risks That Might Threaten Your Business