fix computer sound problems

Fix sound or audio problems in Windows

If you’re having sound or audio problems, the following suggestions might help. The tips are listed in order, so start with the first one, see if that helps, and then continue to the next one if it doesn’t. 

Before you begin

Start by running the automated audio troubleshooter in the Get Help app. Get Help automatically runs diagnostics and takes the correct steps to fix most audio issues.

Open Get Help

If the Get Help app is unable to resolve your sound or audio issue, try the possible solutions listed:

1. Check your speaker output

If multiple audio output devices are available, check that you have the appropriate one selected.  Here's how:

Select the Speakers  icon on the taskbar.

Next, select the arrow   to the right of the speaker volume slider to open a list of audio devices connected to your computer.  The tool tip should display as Manage audio devices when hovering over the arrow.

Check that your audio is playing to the audio device you prefer, such as a speaker or headphones.

If this doesn't help, continue to the next tip.

2. Run the audio troubleshooter

The audio troubleshooter might be able to fix audio problems automatically.

To run the troubleshooter:

Go to Search in the taskbar, type audio troubleshooter , and select Find and fix problems with playing sound from the results to launch the troubleshooter.

You can also launch the troubleshooter from audio Settings:

Select Start > Settings > System  > Sound   > Troubleshoot common sound problems and select Output devices or Input devices .

If running the troubleshooter doesn't help, continue to the next tip.

3. Verify that all Windows Updates are installed

To check for updates:

Select Start > Settings > Windows Update  and select  Check for updates .   Open Windows Update

Do one of the following:

If the status says, "You're up to date," go to the next tip.

If the status says, "Updates are available," select Install now .

Select the updates you want to install, then select Install .

Restart your PC and check if your sound is working properly.

If that didn't solve your problem, continue to the next tip.

4. Check your cables, plugs, jacks, volume, speaker, and headphone connections

Try these steps:

Check your speaker and headphone connections for loose cords or cables. Make sure all cords and cables are plugged in.

If you have multiple 5mm jacks to plug into, especially on a surround sound system, make sure all cords and cables are plugged into the correct jack.

Note:  Some systems use a green jack for output and a pink jack for mic input and others will be labeled "headphone" or "microphone."

Make sure the power is turned on.

Make sure the mute setting is not turned on and try turning up all the volume controls.

Note:  Some speakers and apps have their own volume controls. Be sure to check them all.

Try connecting your speaker and headphones to a different USB port.

It's possible that your speakers won't work when your headphones are plugged in. Unplug your headphones and see if that helps.

If you're still having audio problems, see the next sections for additional troubleshooting.

5. Check sound settings

Check to make sure your audio devices aren't muted and haven't been disabled.

Select and hold (or right-click) the Speakers icon  on the taskbar, and then select Open Volume mixer .

Note:  If you don't see Speakers displayed, it may be in the overflow area. Select Show hidden icons to check there. 

You’ll see a set of volume controls for your devices. Make sure none of them are muted. If any of them are muted, you’ll see an "x" next to the volume control . To unmute do one of the following:

Select the volume control and adjust to the desired volume level. 

Select the Unmute speakers icon  .

Check your device properties to make sure that your devices have not been disabled by mistake. Select Start > Settings > System  > Sound  .

Select your device and then select Properties .

6. Fix your audio drivers

Hardware problems can be caused by outdated or malfunctioning drivers. Make sure your audio driver is up to date and update it if needed. If that doesn't work, try uninstalling the audio driver (it will reinstall automatically). If that doesn't work, try using the generic audio driver that comes with Windows. If you're having audio issues after installing updates, try rolling back your audio driver.

To update your audio driver automatically:

In the search box on the taskbar, type device manager , then select it from the results.

Select the arrow next to Sound, video and game controllers to expand it.

If Windows doesn't find a new driver, look for one on the device manufacturer's website and follow those instructions. If that doesn't work, try uninstalling your audio driver.

To uninstall your audio driver:

Restart your PC.  

Note:  Be sure to save your documents and any other current work before you restart.

This restart will automatically prompt your PC to reinstall your audio driver.

To restart, select Start  > Power  > Restart .

If those options didn’t work, try using the generic audio driver that comes with Windows.

To use the generic audio driver that comes with Windows:

Select and hold (or right-click) the listing for your sound card or audio device, then select Update driver > Browse my computer for drivers  > Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer .

If these steps didn't solve your audio issue, visit your device manufacturer’s website and install the most recent audio/sound drivers for your device. The following is an example of a driver download page for a sound device manufacturer.

If you have audio issues after installing updates

If your audio was working before you ran Windows Update and now isn’t working, try rolling back your audio driver.

To roll back your audio driver:

Select and hold (or right-click) the listing for your sound card or audio device, then select Properties .

Read and follow the instructions and then select  Yes if you want to roll back your audio driver.

If rolling back your audio driver didn't work or wasn't an option, you can try to restore your PC from a system restore point.

Restore your PC from a system restore point:

When Microsoft installs updates on your system, we create a system restore point in case problems arise. Try restoring from that point and see if that fixes your sound problems. For more info, see "Restore from a system restore point" in Recovery options in Windows .

7. Set your audio device as the default device

If you're connecting to an audio device—such as headphones or speakers—using USB or HDMI, you might need to set that device as the default audio device.  If you’re using an external monitor that doesn’t have built-in speakers, make sure that the monitor isn’t already selected as your default output device. if it is, you won’t have any audio. You can check that when you set your default output audio device. Here’s how:   

Select Start > Settings > System  > Sound  .

In the  Output  section, select the device you want to use for playback as your output device. When you select this device, you’re also setting it as the default.

If setting your audio device as the default device doesn't help, continue to the next tip for additional troubleshooting.

8. Turn off audio enhancements

Sometimes having audio enhancements on can result in audio issues. Disabling them may resolve your issue. 

In the search box on the taskbar, type control panel , then select it from the results.

Select Hardware and Sound from the Control Panel, and then select Sound .

On the Playback tab, select and hold (or right-click) the Default Device , and then select Properties .

Select the Advanced  tab and uncheck either the Enable audio enhancements or the Enable sound effects check box (depending on which option you see), select Apply , and try to play your audio device.

If turning off audio enhancements doesn't help, see the next sections for additional troubleshooting.

9. Restart Audio Services 

In the search box on the taskbar, type services , then select it from the results.

Select each of the following services, select and hold (or right-click), select Restart , and then select Yes : 

Windows Audio

Windows Audio Endpoint Builder

If restarting these services doesn’t resolve your issue, see the next sections for more troubleshooting.

10. Try different audio formats

In the search box on the taskbar, type control panel , and then select it from the results.

On the Playback tab, select and hold (or right-click) Default Device , and then select Properties .

If trying different audio formats doesn't help, see the next sections for additional troubleshooting.

11. Restart to apply installed updates

Many updates require you to restart your device.

To check and see if you have installed updates pending and need to restart:

Save your work and close all open applications.

Select Start  > Power . If you have installed updates pending, you’ll see options to Update and restart and Update and shut down .

Select one of those restart options to apply the updates.

Need help with Windows Update? See Troubleshoot problems updating Windows .

If restarting doesn't help, see the next section for additional troubleshooting.

12. Check for IDT High Definition Audio CODEC in Device Manager

Some audio problems might be caused by an issue with the audio system’s IDT High Definition Audio CODEC. This can be fixed with a manual driver update which allows you to choose the sound driver you want to use.

Note:  Not all systems will have an IDT High Definition Audio CODEC.

To check and see if you have one, and to manually update the driver:

Look for IDT High Definition Audio CODEC . If it's listed, select and hold (or right-click) it and select Update driver ,   then select Browse my computer for drivers  > Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer .

You’ll see a list of pre-installed drivers. Select High Definition Audio Device , and then select Next .

13. If you have microphone issues, make sure your privacy settings are configured properly

Select Start  > Settings  > Privacy & security.

Under App permissions , select Microphone .

Make sure that the Microphone access and Let apps access your microphone  toggles are turned On .

If you’re having this issue with a specific app, scroll down under Let apps access your microphone  and make sure that the toggle next to that specific app is turned On as well.

Next, select the arrow  to open a list of audio devices connected to your computer.

In the search box on the taskbar, type audio troubleshooter , select Find and fix problems with playing sound from the results, then select Next .

You can also launch the troubleshooter from audio Settings. Select Start > Settings > System   > Sound   > Troubleshoot .

Select Start  > Settings  > Update & Security  > Windows Update  > Check for updates . Open Windows Update

Restart your PC and see if your sound is working properly.

Check your device properties to make sure that your devices have not been disabled by mistake. Select Start  > Settings  > System  > Sound  .

Restart your PC.

Note: Be sure to save documents and any other current work before you restart.

Select and hold (or right-click) the listing for your sound card or audio device, then select Update driver > Browse my computer for drivers  > Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer .

If these steps didn't solve your audio issue, visit your device manufacturer’s website, and install the most recent audio or sound drivers for your device. The following is an example of a driver download page for a sound device manufacturer.

Read and follow the instructions and then select Yes if you want to roll back your audio driver.

If you're connecting to an audio device—such as headphones or speakers—using USB or HDMI, you might need to set that device as the default audio device.  If you’re using an external monitor that doesn’t have built-in speakers, make sure that the monitor isn’t already selected as your default output device. If it is, you won’t have any audio. You can check that when you set your default output audio device. Here’s how:   

On the Playback tab, select and hold (or right-click) the Default Device , and then select Properties .

On the Enhancements tab, select either the Disable all enhancements or the Disable all sound effects check box (depending on which option you see), select OK , and try to play your audio device.

Select each of the following services, right-click, and then select Restart :

On the Playback tab, select and hold (or right-click)  Default Device , and then select Properties .

To check and see if you have installed updates pending and need to restart

Look for IDT High Definition Audio CODEC . If it's listed, select and hold (or right-click) it and select Update driver , then select Browse my computer for drivers  > Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer .

Select Start  > Settings  > Privacy , and then select Microphone from the left menu.

Under Allow access to the microphone on this device , select Change . Make sure the toggle is turned On .

If you’re having this issue with a specific app, scroll down to Choose which Microsoft Store apps can access your microphone and make sure that the toggle next to that app is turned On as well.

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How to fix audio problems on your Windows PC

For all its positives, Windows sometimes acts in unexpected ways—like a sudden lack of audio. If your computer abruptly stops playing sound, try these easy steps to fix the issue:

No sound in one app

• First, reboot your computer.
• Confirm the program’s volume isn’t turned down or muted. In browsers like Chrome and Firefox, each tab can be muted individually—right-click a tab to see its status. (The option will say “Unmute tab” if currently silenced.) You can also check a program’s volume in the Volume mixer (right-click on the speaker icon in the taskbar to open it).

Note: For paid software, your license for the program may be tied to a specific version—if that’s the case, you may need to do a little hunting to find its installation program on the vendor’s website. This same advice applies if you just prefer your version of the app over the current one.

No sound at all

First thing to check: The audio output device. Windows can sometimes change it to a different source unbeknownst to you. (To view this image full-size, right-click on it and choose “Open in new tab.”)

• First, check to make sure Windows is using the correct device for speaker output by clicking on the speaker icon in the taskbar. (Sometimes Windows will switch output to a different device, unbeknownst to you.) At the top of the pop-up window, you’ll see the name of the speaker currently in use—e.g., Speakers (2-Anker PowerConf) . Click on that name to switch to the proper device, if applicable. If using external speakers, make sure they are powered on.
• Reboot your computer.
• Verify via the speaker icon in the taskbar that the audio is not muted and is turned up.
• Ensure that the computer isn’t muted via hardware, such as a dedicated mute button on you laptop or keyboard. Test by playing a song.
• Right-click the volume icon and click Open Volume Mixer . Ensure that all options are on and turned up.
• Internal speakers still not working on your laptop? Plug headphones into the audio jack and test again. If the headphones work, remove them to continue troubleshooting the internal speakers.
• For desktop systems with speakers plugged into the 3.5mm jack, try a USB speaker or USB headphones. (Or visa versa.) If the alternative device works, remove it to continue troubleshooting the initial set of speakers. (See our roundup of best budget computer speakers if you are in need of a new set.)
• Right-click the volume icon again and choose Open Sound settings (Windows 10) or Sound settings (Windows 11). For Windows 10, find Related Settings in the window that opens, then click on  Sound Control Panel. For Windows 11, scroll down to the Advanced section of the window that opens, then click on More sound settings . For both operating systems, a new, smaller window labeled Sound will appear. Click on the Playback tab, and then confirm that your audio device (likely “Speakers”) has a green checkmark next to it. Then click Properties and make sure that Use this device (enable) is selected.

If your sound still doesn’t work by this point, you may have a missing or corrupt driver for your audio controller.

• Uninstall the driver. Open the Device Manager (type device manager in the taskbar search box), go to Sound, video and game controllers , select the audio controller for the device that’s malfunctioning, and press the Delete key.
• Reboot the system and allow Windows to reinstall the driver, which it should do automatically. If it doesn’t, download the driver from your PC maker’s site or audio card manufacturer’s site, and reinstall it manually.

Bad speaker quality

• Make sure the cable (whether 3.5mm aux or USB) is seated fully on both ends.
• Check if there are any nearby objects that could be causing interference, like a cell phone. Move them farther away.
• If your speakers don’t sound quite right—like the quality is mediocre despite glowing reviews—try turning off audio enhancements for the speakers in Windows settings. In Windows 10, head to Settings > System > Sound > Device properties > Additional device properties , then click on the Enhancements tab. You can then turn off the enhancements individually, or click on Disable all enhancements . For Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Sound , then click on the device in the list. In the new menu that pops up, scroll to the bottom, where you’ll find Audio enhancements . Switch it to Off . You can also turn off spatial audio as applicable.

Further reading: The best budget computer speakers: $100 or less

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Audio Not Working in Windows 10? 9 Ways to Fix Sound Problems

Is your audio not working in Windows 10 (or Windows 11)? Here's what to do when you have no sound on your computer.

Suffering from a problem where the audio is not working on your Windows 10 PC? It's quite frustrating to have no sound on your computer, but we're here to help.

Below, we cover quick and easy solutions to fix your sound on Windows when it's not working. While we focus on Windows 10 here, many of these solutions also apply to Windows 11.

1. Check Volume Levels and Muted Outputs

First, you should get the most obvious fix out of the way. If you have no sound on your computer, double-check to make sure that you haven't muted the audio. Click the Volume icon at the bottom-right corner of your computer to check the master volume bar; make sure it's not muted or set at an extremely low level. If it's muted, you'll see an X next to the speaker icon.

After this, right-click on the same volume icon and choose Open Volume mixer to see the current volume level for all apps playing audio. Turn these up as needed, confirming that they aren't muted by mistake or too low to hear. You may need to troubleshoot low audio output if you hear sound but it's too quiet.

Be sure to check the volume level of any active apps, games, video players, or similar too. Even if you have both the master and browser volume levels turned up at the Windows level, a muted YouTube video will still produce no sound.

On a related note, you should also close any audio-heavy apps you aren't actively using. Some programs can take control of your audio device, so you won't hear anything from other devices. For example, while using Bluetooth headphones, being in a Discord call can prevent you from hearing audio from other apps.

Before moving on, it's also wise to restart your computer at this point. Your sound issue could be temporary, perhaps due to a pending update that has locked audio output.

2. Make Sure You're Using the Right Audio Output

If you have more than one audio output device connected to your computer, it's possible that Windows is playing sound through the wrong one.

To change the device being used for playback, click the Volume icon again. Above the volume slider, you'll see the name of the current device, if you have more than one enabled. Click this to open a menu of all available devices, then select the output that you want to use from the list.

This is just a quick switcher, so it might not show all available devices. To see a full list of audio devices connected to your PC, right-click the Volume icon and choose Open Sound settings . This acts as a shortcut to the Settings > System > Sound menu.

On this page, click Manage sound devices under the Choose your output device heading to see everything that's connected to your computer. Use the Test button for any of the available devices to play a quick tone. After changing output devices, you may need to check the volume levels again, as above.

Check the Disabled section to make sure you haven't turned off the device you want to use. Click an option and hit Enabled to turn it back on, if needed.

If you don't see the audio output you expect, or it doesn't work, continue on with the below steps. Your speakers, headphones, or other audio device needs further troubleshooting.

3. Check All Audio Cables and Wireless Connections

Next, you should check the physical connections of all your audio devices, especially if your desired output didn't show up in the above menus.

Make sure that all audio (and power) cables are firmly plugged into your computer, as well as into the device. It's a good idea to unplug and reconnect everything, just to make sure there are no loose connections. Confirm that you have the audio cables plugged into the right ports. Generally, audio output devices should go into the green port, which sometimes has a headphone icon.

If any cable is frayed, excessively bent, or otherwise damaged, it might be unusable. You may have to jiggle it to get a good connection. If possible, consider replacing worn-out cables.

For wireless audio devices like headphones, visit Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices and make sure you've paired your device to your computer properly. See how to troubleshoot Bluetooth in Windows 10 for more help with wireless devices.

If you also use those Bluetooth headphones with your phone, tablet, TV, or similar, disconnect them from the other device first, then try connecting them to your Windows PC again. Trying to play audio from your computer to your Bluetooth headphones won't work when those headphones are currently connected to your phone.

Finally, try disconnecting all audio devices from your PC except for the one you want to use, in case there's something interfering with another device.

4. Try the Windows Audio Troubleshooter

Before you go further, it's worth running the built-in audio troubleshooter. This allows Windows 10 to identify and fix issues on its own—sometimes. These Windows troubleshooters don't always fix the problem, but it's worth a shot before you dive in deeper.

Head to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters and select Playing Audio . Follow the instructions, and hopefully, Windows will correct the problem automatically. You'll see what fixes the troubleshooter applied, if any, when it's done.

5. Roll Back or Reinstall Audio Drivers

Drivers usually work well once initially configured, but when something goes wrong, they cause annoying issues. Your audio driver could have become corrupted, or maybe it needs an update to resolve some issue.

Windows 10 gives a few options to fight a problematic driver. You'll find these in the Device Manager , which you can access from a handy menu by right-clicking the Start button or hitting Win + X .

First, you can try to simply roll the driver back to the last good configuration. To do this, in the Device Manager, expand the Audio inputs and outputs section. Right-click the audio device you're using, select Properties , and browse to the Driver tab.

Press the Roll Back Driver option if available, and Windows 10 will begin the process of using the prior driver version. However, this is only available if there is an older driver to fall back to.

If you can't roll the driver back, you'll need to choose either Update Driver or Uninstall Device .

You can try to update the driver through this menu, though you'll probably need to manually update the driver instead since Windows isn't great at finding unique drivers for your system. Assuming there's no update available, choose Uninstall Device . This will remove the offending driver, so you can reinstall a fresh copy.

Before proceeding with the uninstall, download the latest manufacturer version of the driver, if available. You'll usually be able to download them directly from the hardware issuer's website. Googling the name of your device followed by "driver" should be enough to locate it—don't download drivers from shady third-party websites.

If there's no specific driver available for your device, proceed anyway and Windows will reinstall a generic one upon reboot.

Click Uninstall Device in the Properties window, and you'll see the Confirm Device Uninstall box. Depending on the driver, this window may also contain an option to Delete the driver software for this device . If this is an option, check the box and press OK .

Once you've wiped the drivers, restart your system. If you were able to download a new driver, install it now. Otherwise, Windows should have reinstalled its general driver for your device already.

If doing the above for a specific device doesn't fix the problem, try these steps for the device's entry under the Sound, video, and game controllers category.

6. Update the IDT High Definition Audio CODEC

Some systems may encounter issues with the IDT High Definition Audio CODEC. This can be fixed with a manual driver update, which allows you to choose the sound driver you wish to use.

Visit the Device Manager again, as discussed above. Expand the Sound, video, and game controllers section. If you spot IDT High Definition Audio CODEC , right-click it and select Update driver . You may not see this, depending on your PC. If you don't, continue to the next section.

In the next panel, select Browse my computer for drivers , followed by Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer . This allows you to select from any drivers pre-installed on the system.

Make sure Show compatible hardware is checked. Then under Model , select High Definition Audio Device , followed by Next , and finally Yes . You may need to restart your system for the changes to take effect.

If this fixed your audio problem, you might next look at improving the quality of your PC's sound .

7. Fix Realtek High Definition Audio Problems

Depending on your computer manufacturer and hardware, you may have a Realtek audio driver instead of IDT. Realtek drivers also appear frequently in forum posts discussing audio issues on Windows.

First, follow the same IDT process above to check for driver updates for Realtek audio. If this doesn't work, there are a couple of more specific fixes for Realtek audio problems to try.

Refresh Your Wi-Fi Drivers

One common fix when Windows 10 has no sound focuses on disabling Realtek WLAN drivers, uninstalling, then reinstalling the latest version—even if you already have the latest version installed.

First, head over to the Realtek website and download the latest applicable driver version for your system. Then open the Device Manager again, and browse to your Realtek Wireless LAN drivers. These should be under Network adapters , and will have both Realtek and Wireless in the name.

Right-click the driver and hit Uninstall device . Now head to the new driver file you downloaded, extract its contents , find the setup.exe or similar install file, and follow the instructions. You'll need to reboot your system following the installation.

Disable the Front Panel Audio Jack

This fix could be system-specific, but it's fixed an audio issue for at least one person, so it could solve your problem too.

Reddit user Tiflotin fixed a persistent Realtek audio issue by disabling front jack detection from within Realtek HD Audio Manager. You can open this utility by double-clicking the Realtek speaker icon that appears in the System Tray at the bottom-right corner of your screen. It might appear in the expanded menu that shows when you click the small arrow.

On newer systems, this app has been replaced with Realtek Audio Console, and is available by searching your PC like you would for any other app. Under Device advanced settings , you'll see an option titled Disable front panel jack detection . Try enabling this slider.

If you're already pulling your hair out, this could be worth a try!

8. Disable Windows Audio Enhancements

Next up are Windows 10's audio enhancements . Audio enhancements are built-in Microsoft and third-party packages designed to make your system audio sound better—or at least different—in a variety of ways. However, these "enhancements" could be the cause of your Windows 10 audio issue. Luckily, they're simple to turn off.

To access audio enhancements, right-click on the speaker icon in the System Tray and select Sounds to open the Control Panel's Sound window. Here, switch to the Playback tab and double-click on the audio device you're using.

In the next window, click the Enhancements tab. There, check the box labeled Disable all enhancements if it isn't already, then hit Apply . If you're having audio issues with multiple devices, repeat this process for each one in the Playback list.

While you're here, it's also a good idea to make sure the device you want to use is set as the default. Right-click it and choose Set as Default Device to do this.

9. Restart Windows Audio Services

If you're still having trouble, the reason sound isn't working on your computer could be a behind-the-scenes Windows problem with services. While audio services should just work normally, they can sometimes disable themselves for no reason. If this happens, you'll have no sound.

Type Services into the Start menu to find and open the services manager . Scroll down to Windows Audio . If the service isn't running, your system audio will not function correctly. Start it again by double-clicking and selecting Start .

While you're here, double-check the service's Startup type . Audio services should be set to Automatic by default. If it is anything different— Automatic (Delayed Start) , Manual , or Disabled —change it back.

Check Windows Audio Endpoint Builder in the same way, since audio also relies on this running correctly.

No Sound on Your Computer? Now You Can Hear Clearly

We've covered fixes for Windows 10 (and Windows 11) audio problems. Hopefully, you can hear your computer sound once again.

While not a definitive fix for every issue, Windows 10 seems to prefer that you use the built-in High Definition Audio Driver , and the huge amount of fixes we've read through involve updating, uninstalling, reinstalling, and rolling this driver back.

Meanwhile, not being able to use your microphone in Windows is a separate issue.

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No Sounds on Windows 10? Here's How to Fix It

Sound is important, so get yours working again

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While hardware problems are sometimes to blame for sound failures, software is most often the culprit. Big Windows 10 updates add lots of new features, for example, but they can also add new problems. The patch can conflict with older audio drivers or with your sound card manufacturer's software.

How to Fix Broken Audio on Windows 10

If your audio isn't working on your Windows 10 computer, walk through these steps in sequence until the audio is restored to your system.

Check your cables and volume. Verify your speakers or headphones are plugged into the proper jacks, and the volume is turned up. Then, check your volume levels within Windows. Right-click the speaker icon in your system tray, then select Volume Mixer from the list of options.

Some speakers or headphones have their own apps with volume controls. You might need to check there as well.

Verify that the current audio device is the system default. If your speakers or headphones use a USB or HDMI port, you might need to make that device your default. To do that:

• Type sound in the Windows 10 search box, then select Sound from the list of results.
• Select the Playback tab then select your audio device.
• Select Set Default .

Restart your PC after an update . Many Windows 10 updates require the restart of your device after installation, and if you haven't done so yet, it could cause your audio problem.

Try a System Restore . If you still have no sound after installing the updates, you could try going back to a previous system restore point. Windows creates one whenever it installs an update for your device, just in case there's a problem.

Run the Windows 10 Audio Troubleshooter. It can diagnose and fix a variety of common sound problems. To use it:

• Type audio troubleshooter into the Windows 10 search box.
• Select Find and fix audio playback problems .
• When the troubleshooter appears, follow the on-screen prompts.

Update your audio driver. If your sound still isn't working, updating your Windows 10 drivers could resolve the problem.

If Windows can't find you a new driver, you'll have to get one from the sound card manufacturer's website.

Uninstall and reinstall your audio driver. If updating your Windows 10 audio driver doesn't work, try uninstalling and reinstalling it . Find your sound card in the Device Manager again, then right-click it and select Uninstall . Windows re-installs the driver at the next system reboot.

Right-click the Volume icon in the taskbar and select Sound . Select the Playback tab, right-click Speakers , and select Set as Default Device . Go to the Recording tab, right-click Stereo Mix , and select Properties . In the Listen tab, check Listen to this device . Under Playback through this device , select your headphones and click Apply .

To turn off Windows 10 notification sounds, open Control Panel, and select Sound . Under Program Events , select Notification . Select None at the top of the Sounds menu if you don't want any notification sounds, or choose a different sound.

To record audio on Windows 10 , ensure you have a connected microphone that's set as your default recording device. From the Start menu, open Windows Voice Recorder and select the  Record icon on the left side of the screen to begin recording.

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How Do I Fix Sound Problems on My Computer?

Getting no sound on your computer can mean the difference between grooving to that new album release and painfully working in silence. Learn how to fix computer sound problems manually with our guide. Or get a dedicated driver optimization tool that can help update your drivers automatically to keep your computer’s sound crystalline.

How do I fix “no sound” on my computer?

You can fix the “no sound” error on your computer in a few different ways, from checking your auxiliary connections to updating your drivers with a reliable driver updater tool . Here are the best ways to fix the sound on your computer:

Check your hardware and cable connections .

Check the audio settings on your computer .

Restart or change your audio device .

Install or update your audio or speaker drivers .

Disable audio enhancements .

Update the BIOS .

Check your hardware and cable connections

One of the easiest ways to fix your computer sound is to check that all your cables are connected properly. Here’s a hardware checklist for troubleshooting how to fix sound on your computer:

Check the audio settings on your computer

To manage your audio settings, right-click the speaker icon in the Windows taskbar and select Open Sound settings . From there, you can see which device is selected for audio output. Also, ensure your volume is loud enough for you to hear it on the audio device you choose.

Restart or change your audio device

If there’s still no sound on your computer, restart your PC. It might be all it takes to fix your computer sound. Is your audio still not working? Try changing your default sound device in the audio settings. Here’s how:

Right-click the speaker icon in the Windows taskbar and select Open Sound settings .

Scroll to the Sound Control Panel and click it. Ensure the Playback tab is selected.

Select an audio device from the list, then click Set Default > OK .

Install or update your audio or speaker drivers

Updating your sound drivers automatically with a dedicated PC optimization tool can help you quickly fix your computer sound issues and increase your PC’s overall performance . Here’s how to update your drivers automatically with Avast Driver Updater:

Download and install Avast Driver Updater .

Click Scan Drivers to check for available updates to your sound drivers. Avast can even check your graphics card for available updates, so you can get the best of both worlds.

Avast performs a complete system scan and alerts you if it finds outdated drivers. Then, click Update All . Or, select the drivers you want to update individually.

You can also update audio drivers manually via Windows Update on Windows 10. Here’s how:

Open Windows Start > Settings (the gear icon) , then select Update & Security .

Click Check for updates to see if there are any sound driver updates available for your machine. If so, install them.

Updating all Windows drivers that Windows Update finds — not just your sound drivers — is a great way to keep your PC at top speed and ensure you’re running the latest versions available.

Disable audio enhancements

Third-party speaker manufacturers sometimes use audio enhancements to make their devices sound better. But, if the enhancements aren’t configured properly, that can explain why your desktop computer or laptop speakers aren’t working.

Here’s how to disable audio enhancements and fix your computer sound:

Right-click your audio device and select Properties .

Go to the Enhancement tab and deselect the option for audio enhancements.

Update the BIOS

If your computer sound still isn’t working or your computer keeps crashing , you may need to update your BIOS/UEFI to resolve hardware incompatibility issues or software updates. To find the exact instructions, check the manufacturer’s website for your PC’s motherboard.

What if my sound and audio problems persist?

For persistent sound problems, run the audio troubleshooter via Windows Start > Settings > System > Sound > Troubleshoot . The audio troubleshooter on Windows can help solve issues with your sound not working for both input and output audio devices. If sound problems continue, contact your computer or sound card manufacturer.

Update your drivers automatically

There are plenty of ways to fix no sound on your computer — and even more reasons why your sound isn’t working in the first place. Thankfully, you can avoid audio issues altogether by using Avast Driver Updater , a tool specially designed by performance experts to keep your audio drivers updated and working properly. Try Avast Driver Updater for free today.

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Audio Not Working in Windows 11/10: 12 Ways to Fix Audio Problems

David Darlington

Sep 26, 2023 • Filed to: Windows Computer Solutions • Proven solutions

As I read this query posted by a friend on a leading Windows forum, I realized that a lot of people encounter audio issues in Windows 11/10. Although Windows 11/10 is one of the best firmware versions out there, it can malfunction at times. If your laptop's audio is not working, then it can happen due to a hardware or software-related issue. In this guide, we are going to diagnose the audio problems in Windows 11/10 and will further discuss 12 ways to fix it.

• Part 1: Why Is My Audio Not Working in Windows 11/10?

Part 2: How to Solve the Audio Not Working Problem?

Video tutorial on how to fix audio not working on windows 11/10.

• Bonus Tip: Recover Lost/Deleted Audio Files from Computer with Recoverit

Part 1: Why is My Audio Not Working in Windows 11/10?

The following are some of the major reasons for getting the audio not working in Windows 11/10 problem.

• The audio jack could be loose or broken
• Your system might not be updated
• Your computer could be running on outdated audio drivers
• Any recent change in your system's settings
• The audio services could have stopped working
• There could be an issue with your microphone or speaker
• Malware could have attacked your system's audio components
• Any other hardware or system configuration issue can also cause this problem

Also, generic audio driver detected issues can also cause audio not working.

To fix the Windows audio not working problems, you can try the following suggestions. Since there could be different reasons for audio issues in Windows 11/10, I would recommend trying a handful of solutions.

1. Check all the Audio Connections

Before you take any drastic measures, make sure that your system is connected to a working audio device. Check the audio jack first and the headphone connections. Make sure that the headphone cable is working and the jack is not damaged. You can also check the speaker or just connect your system to any other audio device as well to further inspect it.

2. Check for Updates

If your Windows system is running on old or outdated firmware, then it can also make your PC's audio not working. In this case, you can go to your system's Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. From here, you can check for updates and further install the new update on your Windows 10 PC.

3. Restart your System

Sometimes, even the simplest of methods can fix various audio issues in Windows 11/10 . For instance, if your system has not been initiated properly, then you can just restart it. Also, if you have just updated your system, then it is recommended to restart it once. Just go to the Start menu and click on the power button to get various options, like Restart or Update and Restart.

Check 12 Must-Have Software for Windows 11

4. Restart the Windows Audio Services

Windows has a dedicated audio services component that is responsible for playing all kinds of sounds on the system. Therefore, you can just restart the audio services on your system to troubleshoot the computer audio not working . Just go to the Start menu, launch the Run prompt, and enter the "msc" command.

This will launch the Services window on the screen with a list of all the services running on Windows. Simply browse and select the Windows Audio Services feature, right-click it, and choose to restart it.

5. Run the Automatic Audio Troubleshoot

To make it easier for us to fix issues like audio not working in Windows 11/10 , Microsoft provides a seamless solution to troubleshoot it. You can just go to its setting to run the troubleshooter. This will automatically check all the major audio settings and drivers installed on your system. In the end, it will either fix the issue or would let you know the exact problem. Just go to your systems' Settings > Troubleshoot and run the audio troubleshooter from here.

6. Review the Sound Settings

If you have recently changed some settings in your system, then it can also cause audio not working in Windows 11/10 . Before you take any drastic measures, I would recommend reviewing the sound settings on your computer. Just go to its Settings > Sounds and check if all the features are correct or not. From here, you can also go to the sound control panel to further check the audio components.

7. Check the Default Input and Output for Audio

Ideally, Windows 10 lets us select different options for the audio input and output. Therefore, chances are that you could have opted for any other default option that might not be working presently. If the audio is not working in Windows 11/10 , then go to its Settings > Sound and click on the dropdown menu to choose the default output device. Make sure that the default device is connected and is working properly on your computer.

8. Disable the Audio Enhancements

To provide a better sound experience to users, Windows 11/10 has an inbuilt feature for audio enhancements. While the feature is meant to improve the device's sound quality, it can cause some complications like the Windows audio not working issue. To avoid this, you can turn off the audio enhancements feature. Just go to your device's Settings > Sounds > Device Properties. Click on the "Advanced Device Properties" of your speakers from here.

This will display a pop-up window with different advanced properties of the speakers. Go to the "Enhancements" tab from here and just disable all sound enhancements.

9. Review the Present Audio Format

If your PC's audio is not working, then there can be an issue with its audio format as well. Thankfully, Windows 10 lets us change the audio formats for our system to a compatible one. Just go to Settings > Sound > Device Properties > Advanced Device Properties to get the following pop-up window. Go to its Advanced tab and select a different audio format from here. In most of cases, a 16 or 24-bit audio format is considered compatible with different speakers.

10. Check the IDT High Definition Audio CODEC

The IDT high definition audio CODEC is a vital component in Windows that is responsible for the coding-decoding of its sound. If the HD audio codec has been corrupted or is outdated, then it can cause the computer audio not working issue. You can fix this by visiting the Device Manager option on Windows and selecting the Audio components. In the Sound window, go to the Playback tab and select the IDT High Definition Audio Codec. You can make it as default and further visit its properties to check or update it.

11. Update the Installed Audio Drivers

If you don't want to encounter unwanted audio problems in Windows 11/10, then make sure that the installed drivers are updated. For this, you can go to the Device Manager from the Start menu and expand the Sound/Video section. This will provide a list of the installed audio drivers on your computer. Simply select a driver, right-click it, and choose to update its software. You can also disable it first, wait for a while, and enable it afterward to reset it as well.

12. Check the App Permissions for Microphone

Apart from speakers, some users also complain that the microphone does not work with certain apps. The cause of these audio issues in Windows 11/10 could be related to app permissions for the microphone. To resolve this, I would recommend visiting your system's Settings > App Permissions > Microphone. Here, you can see a list of all the applications that require access to the microphone. You can enable or disable the app's permission here and make sure that you have allowed the respective app to access the microphone.

Recent Videos from Recoverit

Part 3: Bonus Tip: Recover Lost/Deleted Audio Files from Computer with Recoverit

While fixing the audio not working in Windows 11/10 issue, a lot of people end up losing their important files. In this case, you can take the assistance of Recoverit Data Recovery to get back your lost or deleted audio files back. It is a highly recommended data recovery tool that supports all the leading media files, including major audio formats. You can just launch the application, select a location to scan and preview the results. Yes – even before saving your data, you can preview your photos, videos, audios, and documents on its interface. The application has a high data recovery rate and will certainly help you in different data loss scenarios.

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• Supports to restore corrupted files and loss due to virus attack, the program crashes or computer loses power.
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• Supported OS: Windows 11/10/8/7/XP/Vista and Mac OS X 10.10 - macOS 13 (Ventura).

I'm sure that after reading this guide on how to fix laptop audio not working issue, you would be able to meet your requirements. As you can see, I have listed different ways to fix the Windows audio not working problem that you can implement as per your preferences. Also, if you have lost some of your important audio files, then you can try Recoverit to get them back. Go ahead and try these suggestions and feel free to share this guide with others to help them fix the audio not working issues in Windows 11/10 .

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Why Is My Sound Not Working? 5 Troubleshooting Tips for PCs

How do i fix “no sound” on my computer, 1. check your volume settings.

• Right-click on the sound icon located on the bottom-right corner of your screen
• Once you open the window, click Open Sound Settings
• In the Sound Settings window, click Sound Control Panel
• Within the Sound Control Panel, open the Playback tab
• Right click on the default sound device, which is indicated by a green checkmark
• Select test to perform an audio test
• If the sound is working, you'll see a green bar moving on the right side and hear chimes
• If the sound is not working, right click on the default audio device again, this time selecting Properties
• Within the properties window, select the Levels tab
• In the levels tab, slide the levels tab upwards and make sure that the speaker icon is unmuted

2. Restart or change your audio device

• Try restarting your PC
• If this doesn't solve the problem, you may need to change your audio device
• To do so, go back into the Sound Control Panel , then to the Playback tab
• Select another audio device from the dropdown menu
• Hit the Set Default button

3. Install or update audio or speaker drivers

• Go to the Start menu and click on Settings
• Within the settings window, click on Windows Update & Security
• After you do this, your audio or speaker drivers should automatically update or install
• Start by typing “ Device Manager ” into the taskbar
• Right-click on the listings for your sound card or audio device, such as headphones or speakers
• Select the option to automatically search for updated drivers
• If these drivers need to be updated or you need to reinstall the driver, Windows 10 will do it automatically

4. Disable audio enhancements

• Visit the Playback tab within the Sound Control panel
• Right-click on your audio device and go into the Properties window
• Go to the Enhancement tab and deselect the option for audio enhancements

5. Update the BIOS

• Restart your computer and run the BIOS/UEFI setup menu
• When doing so, specifically look at the audio settings
• In BIOS, tab over to the Advanced menu and make sure that the sound card is enabled
• If the prior step doesn't work, update your BIOS and see if this fixes your sound problems

What if my sound still isn’t working?

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About the Author

Daniel Horowitz is a contributing writer for HP® Tech Takes. Daniel is a New York-based author and has written for publications such as USA Today, Digital Trends, Unwinnable Magazine, and many other media outlets.

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[Fixed] No Sound on Windows 10 – Quickly & Easily

One of the most common problems with Windows 10 is no sound. Particularly immediately after upgrading from a previous version of Windows. So if you’re experiencing this problem, rest assured, you’re not alone. More importantly, it’s usually a pretty easy problem to resolve.

Here are three simple fixes you can try. You don’t necessarily have to try them all. Just start at the top of the list and work your way down.

How to Fix No Sound Issue on Windows 10

• Check cables and volumes
• Check your speakers settings
• Uninstall your audio driver
• Update your audio driver
• Disable audio enhancements
• Restart audio services

Method 1: Check cable and volumes

If you don’t hear sound from your external audio devices, like speakers and headphones, you can check if their cable is broken. You can plug them to in another computer and see if they work in another computer. If they work in another computer, the problem is probably caused by the cable.

If the audio device has been muted, you won’t hear sound from it. Check if your speaker or headphone has been muted by accident.

Method 2: Check your speaker settings

  Method 3: Uninstall your audio driver

If your sound driver has somehow been removed, corrupted or become incompatible with Windows 10, you won’t be able to hear any sound from your speakers. (This quite often happens after an upgrade to Windows 10 from an earlier version of Windows.) 

The simplest way to check if this is what has happened is to uninstall your audio driver:

• On your keyboard, press the  Windows logo key  and  X (at the same time) to invoke the quick-access menu.

• Restart your computer and check to see if the problem is resolved. If it’s not, move on to Method 3 below.

Method 4: Update your audio driver

If experimenting with different sound formats and uninstalling your audio driver didn’t bring back your sound in Windows 10, it’s likely that you’re using the wrong audio driver.

There are two ways you can get the right audio driver: manually or automatically.

Manual driver update – You can update your audio driver manually by going to the manufacturer’s website and searching for the most recent correct driver for your sound card and your variant of Windows 10. 

Automatic driver update – If you don’t have the time, patience or computer skills to update your audio driver manually, you can, instead, do it automatically with Driver Easy .  Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and find the correct audio driver for your sound card and your variant of Windows 10, and it will download and install it correctly :

• Download   and install Driver Easy.

Or click  Update All  to automatically download and install the correct version of  all  the drivers that are missing or out of date on your system. (This requires the  Pro version which comes with full support and a 30-day money back guarantee. You’ll be prompted to upgrade when you click Update All.)

• Restart your computer and check to see if you now have sound.

Method 5: Disable audio enhancements

Audio enhancements can cause audio issues. To fix no sound issues in Windows 10, you can try to turn off audio enhancements.

To do so, follow these steps:

1) Open Control Panel .

2) View by Small icon, and select Sound .

3) Select one Default Device and select Properties .

In the example below, the default device is Speakers / Headphones.

4) On the Enhancements tab, select the Disable all enhancements check box. Then click OK .

5) Check to see if the sound issue is resolved.

Note if you have multiple default devices, you may need to repeat the steps above for each default device until the sound issue is resolved.

Method 6: Restart audio services

Follow these steps to restart audio services.

1) On your keyboard, press the Win+R (the windows logo key and the R key) at the same time to revoke the run box.

2) Type services.msc in the run box.

3) Right-click on Windows Audio service and select Restart .

4) Restart your computer and check to see if the problem is resolved.

We hope one of these methods resolves your Windows 10 audio problem. Please feel free to leave your comment below if you have any questions.

• Sound Cards

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Leonie Wang

Vivienne Duan

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Camilla, a certified MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional), has almost four years technical writing experience. Before working as a technical writer for Driver Easy, she was a technical support agent, helping people to solve their computer problems. She enjoys providing solutions to computer problems and loves exploring new technologies.

Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)

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