Error
Windows cannot display the volume control on the taskbar because the Volume Control program has not been installed. To install it, use Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel.

Reader Comments

Thank you sooooooo much! I love you and I love this site! My volume control is back! Whoo-hooo!

It works great on Windows 2000 too. You don't need to restart.

Only problem is that I dont know how to start a command session, otherwise it is inforamtive and helpful

Hi can you help me install the volume control to computer? i deleted the volume control by mistake. i have windows 2000 professional.please help me!!! Thank you for your coorperation.

A great help. This is the only place on net where i found the right solution for the problem. THanks a lot

TRIED THIS FIX AND IT SAYS, CANT OPEN INPUT FILE CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT ELSE I MIGHT TRY? THANKS

i notice it supports the 'xp' but what about 'ME"? how can i reinstall my volume control?

Worked like a charm.

To expand and generalize on what has to occur: 1. Find the sndvol32.exe file anywhere you can find it. It may be in the wrong location on your hardrive. You can copy it from another computer if you cannot find it. You don't have to get it from the windows cd. It may also be renamed snd132.exe********, so search for it using windows explorer search using snd132.exe*.* If it has a different name, rename the file to be snd132.exe Once you locate this file, copy it to C:\WINNT\system32 As long as the file is here C:\WINNT\system32 You will be able to go into your control panel and click on the sounds and audio devices icon. Click on "place the volume control icon on your taskbar" box. Then click "Apply". The problem usually occurs when you download and install some software that overides how sounds are handled by windows. It renames and/or moves this file.

I don't have the commercial Xp installation media cd. I only have the recovery one.

i got a message saying,cant open input file...can u please help me out

hey i tried that again it works thank u very much guys

yea that error did come that it wasnt installed but to install do i need the cd? can u reply and explain it to me in email please

RUN-->regedit In the left panel browse to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run With Run selected (grey), in the right panel right click empty space and select: New-->string value Give the new string a name, for example: systray Now right click the new 'systray' string and select Modify. In the value data box type or paste: C:\WINDOWS\system32\systray.exe (make sure that's the location of systray.exe) Exit regedit, reboot and voila: the volume icon is back!!! This Worked fine for me. If, however, the volume icon disappears again, repeat this action. (Still not sure what makes the volume icon disappear from the system tray=notification area) sleenheer@wanadoo.nl

thank you very much, i have searched a long time to find this answer. a simpler way would be to cut and paste this file from your xp cd to system32 and delete the EXE extetion. worked for me. thanks again.

Works great, and this was the only place where I could find help. As for the person asking about starting a command session, click on Start, Run, type cmd and press

Tim - check out these instructions - they are easier ... http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=319095

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Same thing happend to me. I did not even know what I did to have the volume control icon disappered on me. I serached MicroSoft Website. It offers no help on how to install the volume control program.

hassab

Hi! can i do this in windows command prompt? or do i have to do it in recovery console?

how can i restore my volume control icon in the website

what are those symbols on either side of systemroot

Same thing happened to me. Found this post and it worked like a charm. Thanks. (Put your XP disk in, use "cmd" in the Run field, switch to the CD drive (e.g. type "E:" after "C:\"), switch to i386 as described and then carefully type the command above. It worked!)

I got this msg: can't open input file: sndvol32.ex using home edition XP CD, ??

followed your instructions and everything worked. Thanks for your help

Worked great, thanks for the tip !

thanx a lottttttt...it work like a charm..

if you don't want to reboot just open task manager, kill explorer.exe process, then click file->run and start systray.exe and then again start explorer.exe

man, i dunno how u know this, but it worked. THANKS A BUNCH

Thanks was very useful

It was exactly what I need to get it working. Thank you!!!!

Wow. That was sooo kewl. Fast. Easy instructions. Perfect and flawless. Thanx man

Works

Thanks A Lot...That helps a lot....

this is no good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

this is the worst site out on the internet, it does not do anything to help m, and as u can read from past users many arent happy and this site should be closed permantley,

WORST SITE EVER

Tried to follow three other sites...your insrtuctions only one that worked to resolve. Thank you

i dont know how to work system command! you could at least put a little more detail into what your saying!

not a vendor-supplied "recovery" CD-ROM -- do i need a special CD for this crap?! this is no use to me!

---!!!!!ATTENTION!!!!!--- ---!!!!!ATTENTION!!!!!--- ---!!!!!ATTENTION!!!!!--- if this doesnt work for you, or you dont seem to understand it, do the following: 1. you can either serch the internet, or go to http://members.driverguide.com/ to DOWNLOAD sndvol32.exe 2. once you have sndvol32.exe downloaded, place it in C:WINDOWS\system323. then go to control panel, and open up "sounds and audio devices" 4. under the "volume" tab, check the bax next to where it says "Place volume icon in the taskbar" 5. click "apply" and celebrate that your volume icon is back!

im sorry, i ment to say C:\WINDOWS\system32

I read all the advice, followed it. and my volume control is back. Thank you so much!!!

Thanks very much, your saved my time and nerves! :)

Wow, worked like a charm the first time. Thanks a bunch Shane Houston Tx :)

Can anyone tell me whether I need to use the add/remove hardware wizard or the add/remove programs wizard to connect my windows 2000 professional pc to a network printer.

http://www.relaxingsoftware.com/sndvol32.exe once you have sndvol32.exe downloaded, place it in C:WINDOWS\system32. then go to control panel, and open up "sounds and audio devices" 4. under the "volume" tab, check the bax next to where it says "Place volume icon in the taskbar" 5. click "apply" and celebrate that your volume icon is back!

thanks downloading from this place really works http://www.relaxingsoftware.com/sndvol32.exe

Worked like a charm!!! Excellent :-)

i understand nothing this error is appearing for me more than one time i don't know how to install it

Missing volume control on taskbar.click start,go to programes,accessories,entertainment,click sound recorder on sound recorder, click edit,on the bottom of the dielog box, click audio properties, it's dielog box comes up, on the bottom left there is a check box, check it, it says,show volume control on taskbar,volume control will be back.

Found SNDVOL32.exe on my own computer. Copied it to the System32 folder and the volume control was restored!! Thanks much.

Plz tell me how do u udw tht command session!!

Please tell me how do you use that command session!!

Thank you to the anonymous user who posted on December 15, 2004. Your directions were perfect.

all those blokes who came up with how to solve this many thanx... saved me from doing the usual and wipeing my drive :) lol

I have had this problem since installing SP2. However, it comes and goes and is not consistent. I also have a problem with the icon for removing external devices not showing up. Also other microsoft icons come and go at will. Hope Microsoft comes up with a good fix for this problem.

I have had this problem since installing SP2. However, it comes and goes and is not consistent. I also have a problem with the icon for removing external devices not showing up. Also other microsoft icons come and go at will. Hope Microsoft comes up with a good fix for this problem.

thanks guy. this worked on XP

I am very much happy of all the solutions you gave. i think the solution of www.relaxingsoftware.com/sndvol32.exe really worked and as far I think is the best. I thank you all who gave me the solutions and also thank the site for helping me out. Hoping u all will help me once again

To the poster of December 15th... WORKS! Yea!! Been looking for a "simply" worded solution that an "old" lady can understand. Many thanks!

Wow!!!!!! thanx for the solution.....this is the best bit of information I have ever recieved from the internet.

where is C:WINDOWS\system32? I don't know what it is. Can you tell me what it is or where it would be in my computer please? I already download SNDVOL32.exe and i just want to restore it and make my volume work again. Thanks

thank you very much

It worked like a charm. I just copied it from another computer, and followed the directions. Thank you.

Thank you sooo much icouldn't believe that there would be a site explaining me the steps to resolve this problem exactly . I couldn'understand why it disapeared sincereley 'guy who now knows that he doesn't everything there is to know about computers' BoooYahh!!!!!!!!

i need help after finding your great site i don't know how to start a command session. I really hpoe you will answer my request sincerely guy who doen't know everything

i need to reonstall my volume control i deleted it by mistake cleaning up my harddrive can you help me?

This works best "http://www.relaxingsoftware.com/sndvol32.exe once you have sndvol32.exe downloaded, place it in C:WINDOWS\system32. then go to control panel, and open up "sounds and audio devices" 4. under the "volume" tab, check the bax next to where it says "Place volume icon in the taskbar" 5. click "apply" and celebrate that your volume icon is back!"

and again.... many thanks for this short, simple and correct info.

I tried it all, none worked for me...

You are the best... my sndvol32 file was corrupted by a trojan and I could not recover the file. Thanks to your help, I have avoided the futility of reinstalling windows. Thanks again, you are my saviour!!!

i don't have a "sounds and audio devices" under control panel..only "sound" and I don't see a "volume" option. help?

http://www.relaxingsoftware.com/sndvol32.exe Thank you so much. Excellent and very quick you save me some time I really apprecite it

Thank you John Savill and also Chris Bacon, who left a comment on 3/12/04. I found the program, copied and the problem is solved.

ok heres my problem i have windows 98 on this computer and my whole volume system is missing . When i go into start>programs>accesories>entertainment>volume control the direct cable connection icon is there and when i click it a connection box pops up can anyone help i am very annoyed?

can anyone confirm where the systray.exe is supposed to be? Right now it is in my windows/system but I guess it is supposed to be in windows/system32? Is there only one systray.exe? By moving it will I be effecting anything it controls in windows/system?(if it controls anything there). If I do have to move it...I take it, it has to be through DOS. Thanks for the help.

thank u for all your input works great.

This site is wonderful! Thank you

This worked first time. Excellent.

Thanks, worked perfectly. Any reason why is got all screwed up in the first place??

Works like a charm.

have windows 98se and have lost all sound. I have gone thru the process of downloading the sndvol32 from relaxing software and placed it in Windows/system32. i do not have a "sound and audio devices" in my control panel. help!!!!!!

Wow...it works...learned something new here that I cant do in windows GUI..good job

worked for me - thanks a lot.

Thank you to the person below. I folled this suggestion and I got my volume control away. To expand and generalize on what has to occur: 1. Find the sndvol32.exe file anywhere you can find it. It may be in the wrong location on your hardrive. You can copy it from another computer if you cannot find it. You don't have to get it from the windows cd. It may also be renamed snd132.exe********, so search for it using windows explorer search using snd132.exe*.* If it has a different name, rename the file to be snd132.exe Once you locate this file, copy it to C:\WINNT\system32 As long as the file is here C:\WINNT\system32 You will be able to go into your control panel and click on the sounds and audio devices icon. Click on "place the volume control icon on your taskbar" box. Then click "Apply". The problem usually occurs when you download and install some software that overides how sounds are handled by windows. It renames and/or moves this file. Chris Bacon -March 12, 2004

FANTASTIC !! THANK YOU SO MUCH - THOUGHT I WAS GOING DEAF !! :-)

thanks a lot :-)

Thank you so much for this link. It solved everything in a matter of seconds after hours of searching http://www.relaxingsoftware.com/sndvol32.exe

Thank you, pretty straight forward. And very Helpful. Saves reinstalling Windows doesn't it ;)

it is so useful....thx.......

i got my icon back, but when i try to open it up, it stays minimized in the taskbar and i cannot open it up to control the volumes, any suggestions?

its amazing...i luv this site

I am pleased with the help that I have sought. Thank you.

My recovery cd works fine with this. Considering that I didn't get more than that when I bought my notebook, I would really expect this to work.

awesome! thank you so much!

Thank you very much for the tips

Worked a treat thanks IT PRO

fantastic mate. brilliant. i love these free tips!

Thank you. This worked like a champ! The only place I have found an answer to my problem.

thanks!!

I am running Windows 2000 Pro. The volume control has disappeared from the system tray. My situation seems to be a little different from the other on this site: On the "Sounds and Multimedia Properties Box" the box for "show volume control on the taskbar" is there and checked but it is "greyed out". i.e. I can't change it. Also, the file sndvol32.exe is in C:\WinNT\System32 (the file size is 67KB). I downloaded a new sndvol32.exe (file size 135KB). When I try to copy this new file from the desktop to the system32 folder, the system asks me if I want to replace the old file. Since I don't want to lose the old file, I have tried re-naming it. The system always regenerates the old file and I have not been able to replace the old file (67KB) with the new file at 135KB. Possible culprits for this problem are that I have downloaded some music software including RipCast and WinAmp. Thanks for any help.

Thansk

Very helpful! Just went to another windows xp computer, searched for the sndvol32.exe file, copied onto a jump drive, plugged drive into computer with deleted file and copied the new file into the system 32 folder inside the windows folder on my c: drive. After going to control panel and checking the box for displaying sound control in the task bar, it's back. No need to even reboot. Thanks!

nice to see so many happy customers.. it wouldnt work for me on my ibm t41 laptop i had to replace all my codecs as well..then it worked. but doing my research on this applet found me a cute trik that no one has mentioned.. any where on the net.. as far as im aware.. right click on the desktop and choose create shortcut.. in the command line box of the short cut type sndvol32 /trayvolume thats it.. now whenever you click the shortcut you hava master volume control RIGHT THERE! now copy the short cut to my favorits \links and you have a volume control in every winow you have open.. very handy!! cheers rolf

MANN U R AWSOMEEEE gr8 work by you

I did the find file and copied it into the right place and got the volume control advanced console and volume control icon in the task bar back alright. The problem I have now is no volume control with my speakers on the desktop. I used to be able to control the volume from the volume control knob on one of my desktop stereo speakers where the on/off switch and balance controls are located. When I lost the Windows Volume Control Program as stated is also when I lost any volume control from my speakers. Can anyone help me solve this problem? lescot@sbcglobal.net is the best place to contact me. Or, lescot1 on Windows, AIM, or Yahoo IM services for contacting me too. I will never find this forum again after I leave here. I have been there and done that many times and have never been able to find where I had posted questions previously. So GOD only knows if I will get an answer to this or not. If anyone knows how to go back to a forum and find a question you have posted there please let me know that secret too!!! Thanks, Les

Thank you so much!!!! This site: http://www.relaxingsoftware.com/sndvol32.exe really does work. I've been to so many help sites trying to get my volume control back and this is the only thing that I could understand and/or get to work! Thank you!! I can finally listen to my music!!

hi my version of xp was builtin the computer so i dont have the cd is there any other way to get my volume control back please help

Thanks so much, very helpful and sucessfull

ive tryed everything that was mentioned here but nothing works for me.......i keep getn "need active mixer devices" can someone plz help me

hi guys i try to do taht u says but i cannot achieve the going back the volume control link please help me and mail the file i have to paste it pelaseeeeeee.

Thank you all so so much for this info has saved my life as you say

Kudos to Chris Bacon for explaining how to do this in lay terms, worked great. I copied the sndvol32.exe to C:\WINDOWS\system32 and it worked fine!

"---!!!!!ATTENTION!!!!!--- ---!!!!!ATTENTION!!!!!--- ---!!!!!ATTENTION!!!!!--- if this doesnt work for you, or you dont seem to understand it, do the following: 1. you can either serch the internet, or go to http://members.driverguide.com/ to DOWNLOAD sndvol32.exe 2. once you have sndvol32.exe downloaded, place it in C:WINDOWS\system323. then go to control panel, and open up "sounds and audio devices" 4. under the "volume" tab, check the bax next to where it says "Place volume icon in the taskbar" 5. click "apply" and celebrate that your volume icon is back! Anonymous User November 28, 2004" I WANT TO THANK THIS PERSON FOR THE INFO, I REALY DID HELP ME A LOT AND THATS CONSIDERING THAT I DONT EVEN HAVE THAT MUCH IT EXPERIENCE!!! SO THANK U, THANK U, THANK U!!!

I just came across this problem and spent countless minutes near to hours googling it and getting nowhere, particularly with the solution of going into 'Start' 'Run' 'Cmd' and so on. Got me nowhere. Simple, simple thing is to find someone else with a PC or laptop and search for 'sndvol32.exe' in their system. Maybe ideal if they have the same OS as yourself. Find out first if their volume icon is displayed, and if not then go to START then CONTROL PANEL then double-click SOUNDS AND AUDIO DEVICES and on the 'Volume' tag see the 'Place volume icon in the taskbar' and try to check it with a tick in the empty box beside it (if it isnt empty that means the icon is already in the taskbar). If it works, it means the 'SndVol32.exe' exists in the system, so go and search for it. Or go into C:\WINDOWS\system32 and type 'SndVol' and you should get to the icon. Have something to copy the icon to like a memory stick or floppy disk (still use those??), no need for a whole CD for it. Placing the memory stick into the PC or laptop from which you are copying the icon should pop up a window and then you should be able to choose 'Open file or folders'. That opens up the folder for the memory stick and you can then copy the volume icon and then paste it in the memory stick folder. Then you place the memory stick into your PC or laptop and move the icon from your memory stick into your system folder 'C:\WINDOWS\system32'. Exit your system folder and return to START then CONTROL PANEL then double-click SOUNDS AND AUDIO DEVICES and to the 'Volume' tag to put that check tick in I mentioned earlier above. Once that works, your volume icon returns. Far far simpler then the cmd action and Window components, which didnt work for me.

how do i start a commnd session?

To start a command session as Administrator, open the Start menu, select All Programs, then Accessories. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator. You'll get a window titled "Administrator: Command Prompt." Hope it helps. -Todd Erickson

Interesting observation. The suggestion here did not work but when I was playing around I used TweakUI to remove the autologon function (so I had to logon) and ALL the icons that should be in the taskbar are there. Switch back to autologon usuing TweakUI and guess what everything except the network icon disappears again. Replicated three times!