Fix Audio Service Requires Reboot on Windows 10

If you see the error “Audio service requires reboot” on Windows 10, the fix is usually to restart the Windows Audio service and its dependencies, then reboot the PC once if the service fails to start. This article explains exactly how to do that, why the error appears, and what to do when the standard restart doesn’t work.

What Causes the “Audio Service Requires Reboot” Error

The message appears when the Windows Audio service (Audiosrv) and the related Windows Audio Endpoint Builder service (AudioEndpointBuilder) are not running or are stuck in a bad state. Windows 10 needs both services to be active for sound to work. The error often shows up after a driver update, a system crash, a recent Windows Update, or when a third-party audio manager (like Realtek or Nahimic) interferes with the default service startup.

Another common trigger is a corrupted or outdated audio driver. When the driver fails to load, the audio service cannot start properly, and Windows assumes a reboot will reset everything. In many cases, a simple restart does fix it, but if the problem returns, the root cause is usually a driver conflict or a service dependency issue.

How to Fix It: Restart the Audio Services Manually

Before rebooting your whole PC, try restarting the two audio services. This often clears the error without a full restart.

Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
Scroll down to Windows Audio. Right-click it and select Restart.
Do the same for Windows Audio Endpoint Builder.
If either service is not running, right-click it, choose Properties, set the Startup type to Automatic, and click Start.
Close the Services window and test your sound.

If the service fails to start with an error, note the error code. A common one is “Error 1068: The dependency service or group failed to start.” That points to a missing or disabled dependency, usually the Multimedia Class Scheduler (MMCSS) service.

Check the Service Dependencies

Windows Audio depends on several other services. If any of them are disabled, the audio service cannot start. To check dependencies:

Open services.msc again.
Right-click Windows Audio and choose Properties.
Click the Dependencies tab. You’ll see a list of services that must be running.
For each listed service, open its properties and ensure the Startup type is Automatic (or Manual where noted) and that it is started.

The most common missing dependency is the Multimedia Class Scheduler. If it’s disabled, set it to Automatic and start it. Also check Remote Procedure Call (RPC) and Plug and Play – these are usually already running, but they can be turned off by optimization tools or after a malware infection.

Reinstall or Update the Audio Driver

If the services are all running but the error persists, the audio driver is the next suspect. A corrupted or incompatible driver will make the audio service fail repeatedly.

Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
Right-click your audio device (e.g., Realtek High Definition Audio) and choose Uninstall device.
Check the box that says Delete the driver software for this device if it appears, then click Uninstall.
Restart your PC. Windows will automatically reinstall the generic driver.

If Windows installs a generic driver and sound works, the problem was the manufacturer’s driver. You can then either keep the generic driver or download the latest driver from your PC or motherboard manufacturer’s website. Avoid using third-party driver updater tools; they often install the wrong version.

Run the Windows Audio Troubleshooter

Windows 10 includes a built-in troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix audio service problems. It’s a good first step if you’re not comfortable editing services manually.

Open Settings (Windows + I).
Go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters.
Select Playing Audio and click Run the troubleshooter.
Follow the on-screen instructions. It will check for disabled services, driver issues, and volume problems.

This tool often fixes the issue automatically, but if it says “Audio service requires reboot” even after running, proceed with the manual steps above.

When a Full Reboot is Actually Needed

Sometimes the error message is literally correct – a reboot is required. This happens when a driver or service is locked by a running process and cannot be restarted without a full system restart. For example, after a Windows Update, the audio stack may need to reload completely.

If you’ve already tried restarting the services and updating the driver, but the error persists, do a full shutdown (not restart) and then power the PC back on. A shutdown clears the kernel session and forces a clean start of all services. In many cases, this is the only way to clear a stuck audio service.

If the error reappears after every reboot, then the problem is likely a startup conflict. Check your startup programs (Task Manager > Startup tab) and disable any audio manager or sound-enhancement software that loads at boot. These tools often override Windows audio settings and can cause the service to fail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the audio service require reboot after every startup?

This usually means a third-party audio driver or enhancement tool is conflicting with Windows Audio at boot. Disable any manufacturer audio managers (like Realtek Audio Console or Nahimic) from startup, then restart. If the error stops, reinstall the audio manager or leave it disabled.

Can I fix this without restarting my PC?

Yes, often you can. Restart the Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder services manually. If they start successfully, the error disappears without a reboot. If they fail, you’ll need to fix the underlying driver or dependency issue first.

What does “Error 1068” mean and how do I fix it?

Error 1068 means a dependency service is not running. Open the Windows Audio service properties, go to the Dependencies tab, and ensure each listed service is set to Automatic and started. The most common culprit is the Multimedia Class Scheduler service.

Will updating Windows fix the audio service issue?

Sometimes. Windows updates often include audio driver fixes and service improvements. If the issue is caused by a bug in the current Windows version, an update may resolve it. However, if the problem is a conflicting third-party driver, an update won’t help.

Is it safe to disable the Windows Audio service?

No. Disabling the Windows Audio service will completely remove sound from your PC, and many apps may crash or behave oddly because they expect an audio device. Only disable it temporarily for troubleshooting, and always set it back to Automatic.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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