Microsoft's January Update Causes Audio Failures Across Windows Versions

A widespread bug linked to USB audio DACs has left many users without sound, with Microsoft promising a fix in future updates.

The bug affects audio functionality on Windows 11 (versions 24H2, 23H2, and 22H2) and Windows 10 after the January 2025 security update.
The issue primarily impacts users with USB 1.0-based digital-to-analog converters (DACs), rendering them non-functional and showing a 'Code 10' error in Device Manager.
Microsoft has acknowledged the problem and is working on a resolution, but no timeline for a fix has been provided yet.
As a temporary workaround, users are advised to bypass external DACs and connect audio devices directly to their PCs, though this degrades audio quality.
The root cause of the bug remains unclear, but it highlights potential risks in core system updates affecting multiple operating system versions.