Before you start
- A Windows PC with speakers or headphones
Method 1 Check the output device and volume
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Step 1: Choose the right output
Click the speaker icon on the taskbar, then the > arrow next to the volume slider, and select your speakers or headphones. Monitors connected by HDMI/DisplayPort often appear as audio devices and steal the sound.
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Step 2: Unmute
Make sure the volume isn’t at zero or muted. Check the physical volume knob and power on external speakers.
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Step 3: Check the volume mixer
Go to Settings > System > Sound > Volume mixer and make sure the app you’re using isn’t muted or set to a different output.
Method 2 Run the troubleshooter and restart audio services
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Step 1: Troubleshooter
Go to Settings > System > Sound and click Troubleshoot under Output, or open the Get Help app and search “audio”.
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Step 2: Restart audio services
Press Win + R, type services.msc. Right-click Windows Audio > Restart, then do the same for Windows Audio Endpoint Builder.
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Step 3: Turn off audio enhancements
In Settings > System > Sound, click your output device and set Audio enhancements to Off. Enhancements sometimes break audio after updates.
Method 3 Update or reinstall the audio driver
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Step 1: Open Device Manager
Right-click Start > Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers.
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Step 2: Update
Right-click your audio device (e.g. Realtek Audio, Intel Smart Sound, Conexant) > Update driver. Better: download the latest audio driver from your PC or motherboard maker.
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Step 3: Reinstall
If that fails, right-click > Uninstall device and restart. Windows reinstalls it.
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Step 4: Try the generic driver
Right-click > Update driver > Browse my computer > Let me pick and choose High Definition Audio Device.
Troubleshooting
Sound stopped after a Windows update
Roll back the audio driver in Device Manager (Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver) or install the manufacturer’s driver.
“No output devices found”
The audio driver isn’t installed or the device is disabled. Check Device Manager for hidden devices (View > Show hidden devices) and enable audio in the BIOS on desktops.
Sound crackles or cuts out
Update chipset and audio drivers, disable enhancements, and set the default format to 24-bit, 48000 Hz in the device’s properties.
Frequently asked questions
Why does sound go to my monitor?
HDMI and DisplayPort carry audio, and Windows may pick the monitor as the default. Select your speakers in the output menu.
How do I set a default sound device?
In Settings > System > Sound, select the device and choose Set as default sound device.
Summary
Pick the correct output device from the speaker icon, check the volume mixer, restart Windows Audio, and update or reinstall the audio driver. That fixes almost every “no sound” problem.
