Sound not working

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: Sound not working. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

Sound issues are usually easy to fix — work through these steps in order, starting with the quick checks below.

Quick Checks (Do These First)

1. Check volume controls — click the speaker icon in the taskbar.
2. Check app volume — some apps have their own volume settings.
3. Check the physical mute button — on your keyboard or speakers.
4. Try headphones — this helps determine whether the issue is with your speakers.
5. Check your Bluetooth connection — if you use wireless headphones or speakers, make sure they're connected. See How to connect Bluetooth devices.

Detailed Solutions

Step 1: Verify Volume Settings

1. Click the speaker icon in the taskbar.
2. Make sure volume is not muted (no red X symbol).
3. Drag the slider up to increase volume.
4. Check that the app you're using has sound enabled.

Step 2: Check the Sound Output Device

1. Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar.
2. Click Sound settings.
3. Under Output, make sure the correct device is selected.
4. Confirm the device isn't disabled — if it is, click Enable.
5. Click the volume slider to test the output.

Step 3: Run the Audio Troubleshooter

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
3. Click Run next to Playing Audio.
4. Follow the prompts and apply any recommended fixes.

Step 4: Check Device Manager

1. Press Win + X, then click Device Manager.
2. Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
3. Look for any yellow warning icons, which indicate a driver problem.
4. If you see a warning, right-click the device and select Update driver.
5. If there's no warning, try right-clicking the device, selecting Disable device, waiting a few seconds, then selecting Enable device.

Step 5: Check the Default Audio Format

1. Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select Sound.
2. Right-click your playback device and select Properties.
3. Go to the Advanced tab.
4. Select a sample rate from the dropdown — try 24 bit, 48000 Hz (Studio Quality) first, then test other options if sound is distorted or missing.
5. If you're still having issues, try unticking both boxes under Exclusive Mode, then click Apply > OK. Note that disabling Exclusive Mode may prevent some apps from taking full control of the audio device.

Step 6: Restart the Windows Audio Service

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, then press Enter.
2. Scroll down and find Windows Audio.
3. Right-click it and select Restart.
4. Also find Windows Audio Endpoint Builder, right-click it, and select Restart.
5. Close the Services window and test your sound.

Step 7: Check for Windows Updates

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Windows Update.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. Install any available updates, including optional driver updates.

Hardware Issues to Check

• Are your speakers or headphones plugged in properly?
• Try a different USB port if you're using USB speakers or a USB headset.
• Try headphones in the headphone jack to rule out a speaker fault.
• Test your speakers or headphones with another device if possible.
• If you're using a dock or hub, try connecting directly to the computer instead.

When to Escalate

If you've worked through all the steps above and still have no sound, the issue may be a hardware fault or a deeper driver problem. At this point, it's best to open a support ticket so our team can investigate further.

You may also find these related articles helpful:

• How to update Windows
• How to connect Bluetooth devices
• Meeting camera/microphone not working

Still Having Issues?