Volume Icon Missing in Taskbar – How to Add

Here is a scenario many Windows users are familiar with.

You just discovered a catchy new song on YouTube, and you want to crank the volume up and enjoy it to the fullest. But you suddenly notice that you can’t find the volume icon in your taskbar. Unfortunately, some Windows icons – like the ones used for adjusting audio volume – simply go missing from time to time.

But this isn’t a significant problem. This article will show you where to look for your missing volume icon and how you can return it to its original place.

The steps depend on which version of Windows your computer is running, so we will cover a few different scenarios. We’ll get to Windows 10 at the end of the article, but let’s start with an old-timer.

How to Find the Volume Icon on Windows XP

Although the newer versions of Windows offer more features and possibilities to their users, there are still people who prefer using Windows XP.

This is how you can find your missing volume icon on this operating system:

1. Click on the Start Button
2. Select Control Panel
3. Click on the Sounds and Audio Devices option in the Control Panel

Once you have double-clicked on Sounds and Audio Devices, a window will pop up, and you should already be on the Volume tab.

You can change the volume from there or unmute your speakers, but what you should really do is check the “Place volume icon in the taskbar” checkbox and then click on “Apply”. If the checkbox is already checked but you are still missing the volume icon, try unchecking it and clicking “Apply” again. That should do the trick, and you’ll notice the volume icon return to your taskbar.

How to Find the Volume Icon on Windows 7/8

If you prefer Windows 7 and Windows 8, this section will show you how you can restore the volume icon if it’s gone missing.

These two operating systems have been upgraded, changed, and redesigned with the goal of making things easier for standard users. This was largely successful – most of the features are easy to handle and get used to. But some options have become harder to find because the minimalist design means they are hidden from view.

One example is the Windows 7 and Windows 8 taskbar. The redesigned taskbar has an arrow pointed upwards, and when you click it, it shows you all the icons grouped together. Your volume icon is most likely located there.

If you want to have your volume icon on the main area of the taskbar, you can simply drag it and drop it where you would like it to appear.

But what if the volume button is missing from its original place? If you do the same steps as earlier, you will notice that there isn’t any checkbox for adding the volume icon to the taskbar.

On Windows 7 and Windows 8, the taskbar has its own settings. In order to open them you need to:

1. Right-click anywhere on the taskbar
2. Choose “Properties”
3. Select the “Customize” button located under the “Notification area”

After that, make sure that the volume icon is set to be visible. In the “Behaviors” column, select “Show icon and notification” for your volume icon. You should also click on the “Turn system icons on or off” option and check if the volume icon is set to “On”.

How to Find the Volume Icon on Windows 10

And finally, Windows 10. If you’ve got the latest Windows operating system installed, here is how you can restore the volume icon.

1. Go into the Windows 10 Menu
2. Click on Settings and then on System
3. Select “Notifications & actions”

Once you have clicked on the “Notifications & actions” tab, you will see various options. Simply toggle your Volume icon “On” in the “Turn System Icons On or Off” section. That should be all that it takes to restore your volume icon.

Find Your Missing Icon

You have probably noticed that the previous explanations not only show you how to restore the missing volume icon to your taskbar but also how to add new icons or restore other ones. For other icons, the steps are pretty much the same as the ones we covered. You just have to click on different options in the Control Panel or in the taskbar settings.

Whatever is missing from your taskbar, finding the icon shouldn’t be a problem anymore.