[SOLVED] MMDevAPI.dll File Error and No Audio on Windows 7 - SFC Won't Fix

[Tambear13]

Hello --

I have a Mac computer and am running Windows 7 Home on it via the Parallels software. On 8/15/18 during the day my computer was working normally. When I logged on the morning of 8/16/18, I had an MMDevAPI.dll file error message (screen shot attached as "error 4"), and my audio no longer worked on the Windows portion of my computer ONLY (the Mac audio is working fine). I discovered that a Windows Update was performed on 8/15/18 and am not sure if that either caused or contributed to the problem.

I have spent a long time troubleshooting on my own and have also spoken with several technicians at Microsoft and Parallels support. The .dll file has been replaced, and I am no longer receiving the error window, but I still have no audio on Windows 7. I ran the sfc /scannow, and the results were that there are files that are corrupted and not able to be repaired. I've attached the "sfc details" file that shows the detailed results of this scan. As you will see, that same MMDevAPI.dll file is still corrupted, even though I am no longer receiving the popup error message box.

I did some more research on-line and found a post about using the SFCFix.exe file to attempt to repair the corrupt file(s). I ran the program and was prompted to install the Windows 7 installation disk, if available. I was not able to do so but used the PowerISO virtual drive to install the Windows 7 disk. Upon completion of the scan, I received a notice that my corruptions could not be repaired and to contact a human analyst (screen shot of this result titled "SFCFix.exe Result Screen" attached) and suggested that I post a new post on this forum. I then hit a key to get the detailed results (attached as "SFCFix" file). It is still showing the same MMDevAPI.dll file issue where this all started.

I have been talking with a Microsoft technician who is suggesting to run Windows 7 repair as a next step, but I wanted to post here in the interim and see if someone may be able to assist me without having to run the Windows 7 repair. From other posts I've read, it appears that if the MMDevAPI.dll file can be successfully repaired, my sound should return as well.

Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.

 

[Tambear13]

P.S. - The "Windows Audio" and also the "Windows Audio Endpoint Builder" services will not start.

Also, a Microsoft technician said that the Windows Update would not have caused the corruption but that my antivirus software (AVG free version) could have had an interaction with the Windows Update that caused the corruption. He suggested switching my antivirus software to Microsoft Defender and Microsoft Security Essentials.

 

[Sysnative Windows Update]

Hello and welcome!


SFCFix Script

Warning: this fix is specific to the user in this thread. No one else should follow these instructions as it may cause more harm than good. If you are after assistance, please start a thread of your own.

1. Download SFCFix.exe (by niemiro) and save this to your Desktop.
2. Download the file below, SFCFix.zip, and save this to your Desktop. Ensure that this file is named SFCFix.zip - do not rename it.
3. Save any open documents and close all open windows.
4. On your Desktop, you should see two files: SFCFix.exe and SFCFix.zip.
5. Drag the file SFCFix.zip onto the file SFCFix.exe and release it.
6. SFCFix will now process the script.
7. Upon completion, a file should be created on your Desktop: SFCFix.txt.
8. Copy (Ctrl+C) and Paste (Ctrl+V) the contents of this file into your next post for me to analyse please - put tags around the log to break up the text.

SFC Scan

1. Click on the Start button and in the search box, type Command Prompt
2. When you see Command Prompt on the list, right-click on it and select Run as administrator
3. When command prompt opens, copy and paste the following commands into it, press enter after each
   
   sfc /scannow
   
   Wait for this to finish before you continue
   
   copy %windir%\logs\cbs\cbs.log %userprofile%\Desktop\cbs.txt
4. This will create a file, cbs.txt on your Desktop. Please attach this to your next post.

 

[Tambear13]

You are AMAZING!!! I followed your instructions and restarted my computer. I still didn't receive the MMDevAPI.dll pop up error message window, so it was a good start. And then ... I heard sound! :dance:

I have been working on this issue since August 17th and have done my own troubleshooting and talked to numerous technicians at Parallels and Microsoft for literally hours on end, and I still did not have a fix. Then I just happened to come across this website in my troubleshooting research and ran the SFCFix.exe program and then posted the results here, You responded to my post in 12 hours, and it took me about 15 minutes to follow your instructions and have everything fixed! I am thoroughly impressed and very thankful and have given a donation to this site. If only I had come here first, I would have saved countless hours of my time and frustration. Thank you so, so very much, oh wonderful computer wizard!!!

Please let me know if you'd still like me to post the two results that you asked me to post. Otherwise, thank you again! Words really cannot describe how appreciative I am!

 

[Sysnative Windows Update]

If all is well, you need not post the logs! Glad to have helped! Take care!