‘It starts with a single sound.
If there’s something in that sound,
then it’s worth continuing.”
Steve Lacy

No sound after Windows October 2018 Update

Windows 10 users have been through a lot lately: the latest October update brought about plenty of issues, the notorious file-deletion bug being the chief problem. To top it off, Windows Store and Edge started to act up. As a result, Microsoft had to pause the update’s rollout to test their brainchild properly, but now it’s back (yet still running on less than 3% of PCs from the Win 10 user base). The re-release could have been smooth – everyone hoped for that – but well, things often fail to go as planned, and that is exactly what happened.

The thing is, the new update killed audio on a great number of computers running Intel drivers. The unfortunate users received the wrong driver versions via Windows Update and consequently lost audio output. In the beginning, Microsoft was not too helpful. First, it blamed Intel for releasing new drivers too early. Then the tech giant recommended those using Intel device drivers to defer the new update or turn off updates altogether. In the end, an official fix was released, and it proved effective in some cases.

How to fix Intel audio driver problems?

Since you are reading this article, we can safely assume the lack of audio output on your PC is what has brought you here. Although this problem might seem grave, fret not: below you will find a list of simple ways to get your sound back.

Use Microsoft’s solution

If there is no sound after Windows October 2018 Update on your PC, you can try installing Windows Update KB4468550. It is an official fix for the issue, and it will help you if the Intel Smart Sound Technology driver (version 09.21.00.3755) is behind your headache. You can go to Microsoft Update Catalog and install the update manually. You might as well check Windows Update: open the Settings app, select Update and Security, and then click on the Check for Updates button. Your OS will search for all the updates needed for its components to work properly.

Uninstall your Intel drivers via Device Manager

If using the fix from Microsoft has been to no avail, performing a certain Device Manager trick may help in your scenario. Here is what you should do:

  1. Press the Windows logo key. While holding it, hit the X button. This will open the Windows 10 Power User Menu.
  2. From the available options, select Device Manager.
  3. Locate the Sound, video, and game controllers entry and expand it.
  4. Search for your Intel audio controller.
  5. Right-click it, select Properties, and click the Driver tab.
  6. If you are using the 9.21.0.3755 version, then you have got the incorrect driver software. Click Uninstall Device.
  7. A pop-up will appear on your screen. Check the box to ensure the driver will be removed.
  8. Click Uninstall, and wait for the uninstallation process to complete.
  9. Finally, restart your PC.

Hopefully, the correct driver will be installed on your computer the next time you start it.

Use a dedicated tool


Still looking how to fix Intel audio driver problems? Employing a reliable and intuitive tool such as Auslogics Driver Updater might be your best bet in troubleshooting the No sound after Windows October 2018 Update problem. The point is, the tool in view allows you to resolve all your driver problems with just a click. With this utility in place, the latest driver updates for your computer are guaranteed, and you can rest easy knowing that they are exactly what your OS needs to function the way it is supposed to.

That’s it. We hope your driver issues are no more.

Have you been affected by the issue described in this article?

Please share your experience in our comments section!