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Failed to Initialize SmartAudio: 7 Ways to fix Audio Error

Reinstalling your audio driver should fix this issue

5 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

The Failed to initialize SmartAudio error message pops up during Windows startup that pertains to the Conexant High Definition Audio software.

Conexant High Definition Audiocomes preinstalled with most modern laptops and desktops. Unfortunately, some users lose sound when that error message pops up. In this guide, we will show you how to fix this error effortlessly.

Why does the Smart Audio error appear?

Listed below are some of the reasons for the failed to initialize SmartAudio error:

How can I fix Failed to initialize SmartAudio error?

1. Update the Conexant driver

Some users have stated on forums that updating the Conexant SmartAudio HD driver has fixed the Failed to initialize SmartAudio error for them.

As Conexant does not provide drivers on its website, it’s probably better to update the drivers with the Windows driver updater.

To make things easier, we strongly recommendOutbyte Driver Updaterfor that job because it will do that automatically in only a few seconds and clicks.

Outbyte Driver Updater will automatically scan for and list outdated drivers after youdownload and install it.

Then you can press theUpdate Allbutton to update the drivers. Alternatively, click the box from the left of the Conexant audio driver and press theUpdatebutton from the right.

Outbyte Driver Updater

2. Open the Playing Audio troubleshooter

Windows 10 includes a Playing Audio troubleshooter that can fix numerous audio issues. As such, that might provide a fix for the failed to initialize SmartAudio error message.

3. Disable all other audio device drivers

4. Remove Conexant SmartAudio HD from the Windows startup

If you are getting the failed to initialize SmartAudio, the application will now exit error; it might be because the device is initialized correctly on startup. Disabling the app in Task Manager should do the trick.

5. Disable Audio Enhancements for the Conexant Audio Device

If you are facing the failed to initialize SmartAudio error, it might be because of the audio enhancement features. The solution to this is to disable all audio enhancements.

6. Reinstalling Conexant Audio software and driver

7. Perform a clean boot

Once your PC restarts, check if theFailed to initialize SmartAudioerror message is still there. If it doesn’t appear, it means that one of the disabled applications or processes was causing the problem.

In this case, you must keep the service or app disabled to prevent the error message.

Those resolutions will probably resolve theFailed to initialize SmartAudioerror message. Aside from those resolutions,rolling Windows back to a restore point with System Restoreor restarting the audio service might also fix the issue.

Feel free to let us know the solution that helped you solve the problem in the comments below.

Failed to Initialize SmartAudio: 7 Ways to fix Audio Error#

Why does the Smart Audio error appear?#

How can I fix Failed to initialize SmartAudio error?#

1. Update the Conexant driver#

Outbyte Driver Updater#

2. Open the Playing Audio troubleshooter#

3. Disable all other audio device drivers#

4. Remove Conexant SmartAudio HD from the Windows startup#

5. Disable Audio Enhancements for the Conexant Audio Device#

6. Reinstalling Conexant Audio software and driver#

7. Perform a clean boot#