Sound disappears after Windows updates

The repeatable pattern—audio works after removing the latest update and fails again after reinstalling it—points more strongly to an incompatible or partially installed audio driver than to the volume mixer or Audio service. Reinstall the update, then open Device Manager, expand Sound, video and game controllers, open the active device, and try Driver > Roll Back Driver. If rollback is unavailable, uninstall the device, restart, and install the Windows 11 driver supplied by the PC or motherboard manufacturer rather than relying only on “Update driver.” Also check Settings > System > Sound to confirm the correct output, disable audio enhancements temporarily, and run the Audio troubleshooter. Record the Windows update KB number and the audio-device/driver version before testing. If the same KB breaks sound with the vendor driver, pause that update briefly and report the reproducible combination through Feedback Hub; repeatedly uninstalling security updates is not a safe long-term fix.