Windows Audio service not running in windows 7

I had a issue in windows 7, The audio service is identified as Windows Audio Service, for whatever reason it seems to think it doesn't start when It actually is started.

I keep getting a message with the task bar icon (red circle with X) and the message Audio Service not running. But my sound all works fine. If I log out and back in the service will usually start but not on original boot.

I have tried to identify which service this is in my services list but can't really tell what it is.

After a while of tinkering I figured out that if I muted the audio and then un-muted the message would go away and red icon would be removed from the sound icon.

Now I haven't had the issue for a while now though. Perhaps an update to the drivers fixed it at some point.