Audio not working on Windows 10 installed on external SSD running on iMac

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Level 1

16 points

Audio not working on Windows 10 installed on external SSD running on iMac

I installed Windows 10 (April 18 update) on external SSD drive that can be selected on the iMac's startup. Run the Boot Camp Windows Support Software and everything is fine, Apple mouse & keyboard, except audio is missing. Windows 10 Device Manager app does not show any problems with the drivers such as yellow triangles or red crosses. In fact, when a video is played the green volumen bars in the audio device driver properties move but there is no sound at all.

iMac is the latest 2019 model.
Windows 10 is up to date according to Windows update app (had to use April 18 update as start version since the installation does not work with October 18 version).
Drivers are update to date according to Windows.
Installed Windows 10 on external SDD following these instructions: https://blog.macsales.com/40947-tech-tip-how-to-use-boot-camp-on-an-external-drive, https://medium.com/@svenkirsime/install-windows-on-the-external-ssd-hdd-for-your-mac-5d29eefe5d1, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=910Y1hLreRc&t=117s.

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Apr 19, 2019 1:38 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

dogmat1x

Level 1

14 points

Apr 28, 2019 2:36 AM in response to julen

I had the same problem as you with a 2019 27” iMac with Windows 10 (1809) on external SSD with no sound to speakers or headphones. After a lot of Google searches I started to suspect a problem with the High Definition Audio Device (not the AMD one, if you have one) in the Device Manager (Sound, video and game controllers) due to it using a standard Microsoft driver. One search result mentioned replacing the driver with the one in the Cirrus folder from the BootCamp drivers (WindowsSupport/$WinPEDrivers$). After confirming the driver in the Cirrus folder is a High Definition Audio driver, I did an update of the driver in Device Manager and pointed it at the Cirrus folder for the location. I got confirmation that the install was successful and the sound started working (no reboot).

I had assumed that running setup (more than once in my case) in the WindowsSupport folder would install all the drivers necessary, but clearly I was wrong.

Hope this helps

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Answer 2

turingtest2

Level 10

272,707 points

Apr 19, 2019 5:35 AM in response to julen

Use Edit > Preferences > Playback and look at the entry for Play Audio Using. This will normally be set to either Direct Sound or Windows Audio Session. Changing to the other setting may help. If not set back to the first option and apply once more.

For further advice see Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Windows updates.

tt2

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Answer 3

julen Author

Level 1

16 points

Apr 29, 2019 6:46 AM in response to dogmat1x

Thanks dogmat1x! It did the trick! :-)

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Audio not working on Windows 10 installed on external SSD running on iMac

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