Administrator Updated on October 13, 2022 The Volume Mixer app is a small volume control that looks good, has a nice graphical interface and it can be opened with a quick keyboard shortcut. The app supports per application changes in volume and allows you to configure the router’s speaker settings. This can be an alternative to the Mixer tab in the Task Manager. The application also supports changing the volume of other applications (system tray).
Have you ever encountered a moment when you needed to adjust the volume on your Windows computer only to find out that the icon is not on your taskbar? Well, not knowing what to do when this happens can naturally be frustrating, but don’t worry, you can still bring back that missing icon.
The process of bringing back the volume icon is also pretty straightforward. But, the methods can differ depending on what Windows version you have. This article will provide you with comprehensive steps on bringing back the missing volume icon on Windows 10, 8, and 7.
Reasons Why the Volume Icon Goes Missing
Before anything else, you must know about the different possible reasons why your volume icon is not there in the first place. Here are common different reasons why the volume icon goes missing:
- Improper Loading of the Windows System
- Changed Hardware or Missing Drivers
- Changes in Settings
By knowing the probable reason why your volume icon is missing, finding the best method to bring it back will be less challenging. This will help save you time and efforts.
Methods on Bringing Back Missing Volume Icon on Windows
Here are the different methods on how to bring back the missing volume icon on Windows:
Method #1: Modify the Notification Area Settings
This method works best for Windows 7. There are two approaches to this method. You can try either one or both.
1). Switch the System Sound Icon On
- Click on the Start menu, then go to Control Panel.
- Type “notification” on the search box.
- “Notification Area Icons” will appear from the result. Click on that, and you will be redirected to the “Select which icons and notification appear on the taskbar” option.
- On that page, find the sound icon and ensure that it is set to “Show icons and notifications”.
- Click “Ok” to save the changes.
2). Adjust the Sound Icon Display
- Click on the Start menu, then go to Control Panel.
- Type the word “volume icon” on the search box.
- Select “Show or hide volume icon on the taskbar” from the list of results that will appear. You will find this selection under the “Notification Area Icons.”
- You will be redirected to the page with “turn systems icon on and off.” look for the sound icon and ensure that the behavior is set to “on.”
- Click “Ok” to save the changes.
Method #2: Restart the System Tray and Explorer
As mentioned above, one of the reasons why your volume icon is missing is probably because of incomplete or improper loading of the Windows explorer. Restarting it might just do the trick and bring back the missing icon. Here are the steps on how to force reload the Windows explorer:
- Hold on the Windows Key, then press R. Type in “taskmgr.exe” then click “Ok”.
- In the Details Tab or Processes Tab, highlight “explorer.exe” by clicking on it.
- Select “End Task” or “End Process on Windows 10, 8, or 8.1. You will notice the taskbar and desktop icon will disappear. The windows you currently have open will also disappear.
- Click “File,” then select “New Task (Run)”.
- Type “systray.exe” on the open box.
- Once again, click on “File” then “New Task (Run)”
- Click “Ok” to save the changes.
Final Words
There you have it; those are the two main ways to restore the missing volume icon on your Windows 10, 8, and 7 computer. If none of these methods work, you can also try to restart your computer entirely or reinstall the sound drivers again.
Regardless of what method you choose, the steps are pretty straightforward, so you’ll definitely get your volume icon back in no time.
Summary: Bring back missing volume in Windows 10, 8 and 7
- Check if the sound card is enabled in the BIOS.
- Check if the speakers are properly plugged in.
- Open Realtek HD Audio Manager.
- Check devices in Device Manager.
- Run audio troubleshooter Windows 10, 8 and 7 .
- Update drivers with Driver Booster.
- Remove recently installed devices.
- Restore lost volume controls!
