The Cmicnfg.cpl process file belongs to C-Media-based soundcards. By default, this file is loaded at system startup. It enables you to configure the control panel applet of the audio hardware on your PC. The main task of this file is to enable easy access to the C-Media dictionary page. By default, the icon to access this sound Control Panel applet file is available in the notification area on your taskbar. You can also access it from your Windows Control Panel, where it appears as an icon for the soundcard control.
Cmicnfg.cpl is a nonessential process for your system. However, you must not terminate it, unless you suspect it for a virus infection.
Some of the common causes of Cmpcnfg.cpl-related errors and their resolution methods are discussed below:
- Cmicnfg.cpl error is displayed because the file was corrupted or damaged when you selected an incorrect sound card type while running a game.
Resolution Method
- Uninstall the game that damaged the Cmicnfg.cpl file and restart your PC.
- After the PC restarts, open Start menu, select Run, type sysdm.cpl, and then press Enter.
- On the Hardware tab, click the Device Manager button.
- Double-click Sound, video, and game controllers and then right-click on your sound card, and then select Uninstall to remove it.
- Next, open Windows Explorer, locate and rename the cmicnfg.cpl file to cmicnfg.old.
- Restart the PC and rerun the soundcard driver installation to restore it on the system.
Note: It is recommended that you run a registry scan to search for and remove any remains of the driver and the uninstalled game from the registry.
- A Cmicnfg.cpl error may occur if you try to manually remove an updated C-Media WDM audio driver from the system. Usually, this error occurs when one of the following conditions is true:
- You upgrade your current Windows operating system to Windows XP Service Pack 2.
- You are running a Windows update on the system.
When this occurs, Cmicnfg.cpl may stop responding and you may be forced to uninstall the C-Media driver without removing its updated driver.
Resolution Method
- Open Start menu, select Run, type Regedit, and then press Enter.
- Next, navigate to the following registry key and delete the string for the C-Media Audio driver.
- Restart your computer to ensure that the Cmicnfg.cpl file is not running at startup.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Warning: The registry is an important component of a Windows operating system and any changes done through the Registry Editor are irreversible. Therefore, it is recommended that you backup the registry before making any changes to it. You can create a registry backup either by using the File > Export command in Registry Editor or by using a good third-party registry tool.
If the audio of your computer works fine, you can stop the repair process now. However, if you want to use the Cmicnfg.cpl file then you may have to reinstall the driver.
- Malware infections are also known to infect the Cmicnfg.cpl file. Therefore, it is recommended that you run a thorough full system scan to detect and remove any malware data from the PC and fix any infected or damaged files.