Check Windows Update, Zoom, YouTube, CNN, Audio.
Check Windows Update, Zoom, YouTube, CNN, Audio.
Yesterday (7/25/2024) I participated in a statewide ZOOM call between 3-4 p.m. Everything seemed normal until after the meeting. Then I performed a Windows Update and several events occurred one after another:
1. Even though I can watch videos, I no longer hear any audio. My device is a SoundBlaster Audigy 5/Rx.
2. I reviewed my 'Settings'. Both the soundcard and its associated software appear correct. When playing videos from sources like CNN or YouTube, the audio remains very weak. Despite setting the volume to 50%, it doesn’t work.
3. I encountered a 'CRITICAL SETTINGS' error (all caps) when trying to click 'START', which only allowed me to sign out.
4. The issue with 'START' prevented me from accessing the File Explorer. I use File Explorer instead of the desktop for most programs to avoid cluttering the screen and reduce RAM usage.
5. My current configuration has 8GB RAM (2x4GB) and I’m considering upgrading to 32GB (2x16GB). However, resolving these audio and startup problems is necessary before making any changes.
Check the Windows Update History for any failed or problematic updates. Review Reliability History/Monitor for error codes, warnings, or other informational events, particularly after the call or post-update. Consider running "dism" and "sfc /scannow" to detect and resolve corrupted files.