Fix: Volume Icon Missing On Windows 10 & 11

Has the volume icon suddenly gone missing from your Windows taskbar? Don't worry. We'll show you all the tried-and-tested methods to get it back.

The ability to control the sound volume on Windows is an important feature used frequently by all users. Why and how it’s helpful is already well-known, so needless to say, when this feature stops working, it’s a frustrating problem.

If you’ve recently encountered an issue with the volume icon missing from your Windows taskbar, worry not, as this guide has multiple methods to help you get it back.

Without any more delay, let’s begin.

Table of ContentsShow

The Problem Explained

You can change your Windows taskbar to show the details that are useful for your everyday computer work. The taskbar has shortcuts to help you quickly adjust certain settings.

One of those shortcuts is the volume icon, which allows us to access the slider and immediately adjust the level.

Windows taskbar Volume icon

However, some users mentioned that the icon is missing every once in a while, while others said it’s permanently gone from the taskbar.

This makes regulating volume much more difficult than it needs to be, but there are ways to fix it.

The following sections will show you how to restore the volume icon on Windows.

Fix 1: Ensure The Volume Icon Is Enabled

Sound

If you share the PC with another person, they may have a different preference for the taskbar and all included functionalities. For example, some users prefer not having anything on the taskbar, and if that’s the case with the person you share your PC with, they could likely have disabled the volume icon.

Fortunately, this is simple to reverse. All you have to do is enable the volume icon in the Windows settings panel.

Not sure how to do that? Follow the steps below.

  1. Press Windows + I simultaneously on your keyboard to open the Settings panel.
  2. In the “Find a setting” search field, type in Taskbar Settings and click on the first result.
    Windows Taskbar Settings
  3. Scroll down until you see the “Notification area” category, then click Select which icons appear on the taskbar.
    Windows Notification area
  4. Ensure that the volume icon is enabled, as that’s the only way it can be visible on the taskbar.
    Windows volume icon Enabled

Now, you should see the Windows volume button on your taskbar and be able to interact by clicking on it with your mouse.

If it was already enabled in the settings panel, but you still cannot see it, move on to the next methods listed below.

Fix 2: Changing Text Size (Display Issue Trick)

Settings

Though this doesn’t make much sense at first glance, it’s a method that sometimes works for various display issues on Windows, and many users managed to solve the missing volume icon problem by applying it.

The method requires you to change the Windows text size and then revert to the original size as a way of “refreshing” the display. Strange, yes, but chances are it will fix your missing volume icon problem.

Here’s what you need to do.

  1. Press Windows + S to open the search box.
  2. Type in Ease of Access Display Settings and press Enter.
    Windows Ease of Access Display Settings
  3. Under the “Make text bigger” category, move the slider to 125%, then click Apply to save the changes. You’ll see a blue screen and notice that the entire Windows interface refreshes.
    Windows Make text bigger
  4. Revert the value to 100% as it was by default, then click Apply again.

Now, as the Windows interface refreshed due to the change, the volume icon should be on your taskbar if the problem was caused by a visual bug.

Fix 3: Restart Windows Explorer

Restart

One more approach to resolve the lack of volume icon issue on Windows is by restarting the Windows Explorer process.

The simplest way to do this is by using Task Manager.

  1. Right-click an empty area on your Taskbar, then choose Task Manager from the list of options.
  2. Within Task Manager, open the Processes tab and find Windows Explorer on the list.
  3. Right-click it and choose Restart.
    Windows Explorer Restart

You will notice that the screen flashes and the Windows interface will restart. Now, you should be able to see the missing volume icon on your taskbar or any other icon that might’ve been missing.  

Note that rebooting your PC may also sometimes solve this issue, and since it’s really easy to do, we recommend trying it.

Fix 4: Use A Third-Party Volume-Control App

Tool

If you cannot fix the problem by applying the above-mentioned methods, we recommend installing a third-party volume control tool.

There are many to choose from, but EarTrumpet is what we recommend. It’s open-source, has a beautiful user interface that you can customize, and is available on the official Microsoft store and GitHub.

Conclusion

Although a seemingly minor bug, your volume icon missing from the taskbar can be a frustrating problem.

Fortunately, the techniques listed in this guide assisted many users in resolving the glitch and triumphing over the problem effortlessly. Hopefully, they’ll work for you as well.

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Bojan Veselinovikj
LinkedIn

Bojan is a video-game developer and a tech enthusiast. Combining these two passions allow him to keep you informed on everything that's new in this fast-paced digital world.