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Windows 10 Sound Speaker Icon Missing From Taskbar

Mitch BartlettOctober 15, 2020 Comments (8)
Windows Speaker Icon Header

There seems to be a chronic problem in Microsoft Windows 10 where the sound speaker icon disappears from the systray and notification area of the taskbar. Follow these steps to try to bring it back.


Contents

  • 1 Method 1 – Check Settings
  • 2 Method 2 – Restart Explorer
  • 3 Method 3 – Registry Fix

Method 1 – Check Settings

  1. Right-click the time in the lower-right corner of the screen, then choose “Properties“.
  2. Ensure the “Volume” icon is set to “On“.

If the “Off” setting for “Volume” is grayed out, proceed to Method 2.


Method 2 – Restart Explorer

  1. Hold CTRL and SHIFT while right-clicking the taskbar. A menu should appear.
  2. Select “Exit Explorer“.
  3. Hold the Windows Key while pressing “R” to bring up the Run dialog.
  4. Type “explorer“, then press “Enter“.

Now see if the speaker icon has returned.


Method 3 – Registry Fix

A setting in the Windows Registry may be causing a problem with your notification icons. Try to make the change manually using these steps.

Categories: Windows

Author Mitch Bartlett

Through my career that spans over 20 years I have become an expert in Microsoft Systems Administration, Android, and macOS. I started this site as a technical guide for myself and it has grown into what I hope is a useful knowledgebase for everyone.

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Comments

  1. Jerry says:
    May 3, 2023 at 7:20 pm

    The speaker icon is there, it’s just not doing anything ! Will not enable me to change volume while working.

  2. Lynda says:
    February 9, 2022 at 5:53 am

    Not helping ! The speaker icon is there, it’s just not doing anything ! Will not enable me to change volume while working. Following other comments don’t want to Restart Explorer or try the registry fix

  3. Timothy Takemoto timtak says:
    June 2, 2021 at 1:21 am

    My loudspeaker was already there it just was not the yellow colour (?) that I like but rather white on black. My computer is very quiet even on 100 % I am not sure why.

  4. victor says:
    October 31, 2020 at 3:57 pm

    I had the same problem with my volume icon in the taskbar on windows 10, turns out i had modified the display scaling to custom (110) and after that it disappeared. Reverting the changes made the icon appear again

  5. Ken Granby says:
    June 19, 2020 at 2:38 pm

    I had the same problem, when the menu appeared I click on exit explorer & screen blank and you to shut down your computer. big pain

  6. MOLLY M CARTER says:
    June 12, 2020 at 4:21 pm

    Not at all. I remember when you could turn on your computer and get what you wanted. Now it takes 5 to 10 steps that use to take 1 and believe it or not it would. I clicked on the time bar and no properties showed up on my screen? SO WHERE IS IT?

  7. bob mcilvena says:
    September 12, 2018 at 3:03 pm

    as with displayed comment I tried method 2 and got as far as exit explorer. windows key and R did not react. now I have a blank taskbar. restarting changed nothing.

  8. George says:
    June 16, 2016 at 1:45 pm

    Trued method 2 but only got as far as exit explorer. Once there Windows key r did not react so I was left with a blank screen. Restarted computer Icon was back….

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My name is Mitch Bartlett. I've been working in technology for over 20 years in a wide range of tech jobs from Tech Support to Software Testing. I started this site as a technical guide for myself and it has grown into what I hope is a useful reference for all.

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Last Updated on October 15, 2020 by Mitch Bartlett