Quick fix: Audio service crashes during endpoint switches usually point to a buggy audio driver enumeration. Restart the audio services: Restart-Service Audiosrv, AudioEndpointBuilder in elevated PowerShell. For chronic crashes, update or roll back the audio driver.

You switch between wired headphones and Bluetooth speakers. The first time works. The second time, audio stops working entirely. Windows Audio service crashed during the endpoint switch. Restart works but the issue recurs on next switch.

Symptom: Windows Audio service crashes when switching between wired and wireless audio outputs.
Affects: Windows 11 with multiple audio output paths.
Fix time: 10 minutes.

What happens during endpoint switch

Switching default audio output involves: AudioEndpointBuilder enumerating the new device, Audiosrv reconfiguring the audio pipeline, drivers initializing the new endpoint, and apps re-negotiating their audio streams. If any driver returns invalid data or hangs, the chain breaks.

Method 1: Restart audio services after a crash

Open elevated PowerShell.
Run Restart-Service Audiosrv, AudioEndpointBuilder -Force.
Audio resumes. Test by playing a sound through each output.

Method 2: Identify the failing driver

Open Event Viewer → Windows Logs → System.
Filter to AudioSrv events around the crash time.
Note the named driver/device in error events.
Update or roll back that driver via Device Manager → the device → Driver tab → Update/Roll back.

Method 3: Disable Exclusive Mode to reduce conflicts

Open mmsys.cpl → Playback → right-click each device → Properties → Advanced tab.
Uncheck Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device for each output.
Apply. Endpoint switches less likely to crash because no app holds exclusive lock during the transition.

Verification

Switch outputs multiple times in succession. Audio continues working.
Event Viewer no longer shows new AudioSrv errors.

If none of these work

If the crash happens specifically with a Realtek or Conexant audio driver, install the OEM-supplied version (not Windows Update’s generic). For Bluetooth specifically, check that the Bluetooth Audio service is set to Automatic startup. For chronic crashes, a clean audio driver reinstall: uninstall in Device Manager with “Delete driver software,” reboot, let Windows reinstall, then update from the OEM.

Bottom line: Audio service crashes on switch = driver enumeration failure. Restart services to recover; update the bad driver to prevent recurrence.