No sound after Windows 10 update? Here's the solution.

Thousands of people over the world have reported problems with Windows 10 operating system especially with Microsoft rolling out these updates for free for the older PCs/Laptops running Windows 7. All of these problems have their roots in the older driver softwares that interface the peripherals like speakers, display, touchpad(mousepad), card reader etc. not being compatible with the features offered by Windows 10.

Coming to our main problem, people having Conexant SmartAudio HD driver as their main sound driver in HP and Dell laptops, faced this problem the most.

I have 2 solutions for this, first is extremely simple with some tweaks to the sound properties and the second one is for slightly advanced users with uninstalling faulty drivers and installing new ones.

Solution 1: Disable sound enhancements.

Step 1: Right Click the sound button on the bottom right of your task bar. Select 'Playback Devices'.

Step 2: Right click on your default speakers which will read 'Conexant SmartAudio HD Device' and select 'Properties'.

Step 3: Select 'Disable All Enhancements' and click 'Apply'

Your sound will be back! However this is with compromise in loudness of sound, since you disable the Bass Management, Virtual Surround and Loudness Equalization. Second solutions helps you keep these settings and turn your sound on,

Solution 2: Install Conexant Driver given by Lenovo for Windows 10.

This solution was posted by 'Darkbreeze' on the 'tom's GUIDE' Forums and is reported to be working by several users. Thanks a million to him! :)
Link - Darkbreeze's answer on tom's GUIDE.

Step 1: Download the Conexant Drivers from Lenovo from this link. download.lenovo.com/consumer/mobiles/audio143w81.exe


Step 2: Hit Windows + X key (only for Windows 8/8.1/10) and select 'Device Manager'.  Right click on 'Speakers' and select 'Properties'.

Step 3: Go into the 'Driver' tab and click 'Uninstall'. Do this for all the audio devices ('Internal Microphone' in my case as shown in screenshot).

Step 4: Install the driver you downloaded from Lenovo. Restart your laptop.

Your sound will be back with all the enhancements! :)