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How to fix audio problems on your Windows PC

You can usually resolve the issue quickly.
By Alaina Yee and Christopher Null
Sep 21, 2023 6:00 am PDT
troubleshoot audio win10 primary
Image: Rob Schultz / IDG

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

  1. First, reboot your computer.
  2. 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).
  3. If you still can’t hear anything in this program, try uninstalling and reinstalling it. Before doing so, first back up any data and/or write down how your settings are currently configured, as applicable.

    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

Playback device selection in the Windows taskbar for Win 10 and Win 11

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.”)

Playback device selection in the Windows taskbar for Win 10 and Win 11

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.”)

PCWorld

Playback device selection in the Windows taskbar for Win 10 and Win 11

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.”)

PCWorld

PCWorld

  1. 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.
  2. Reboot your computer.
  3. Verify via the speaker icon in the taskbar that the audio is not muted and is turned up.
  4. 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.
  5. Right-click the volume icon and click Open Volume Mixer. Ensure that all options are on and turned up.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.)
  8. 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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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

Windows 11 Sound Properties
Windows 11 Sound Properties

PCWorld

Windows 11 Sound Properties

PCWorld

PCWorld

  1. Make sure the cable (whether 3.5mm aux or USB) is seated fully on both ends.
  2. Check if there are any nearby objects that could be causing interference, like a cell phone. Move them farther away.
  3. 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