Windows 11 No Sound? Try These Fixes

Common causes

• The wrong audio output device selected
• Sound muted or volume turned down
• Loose cables or a cord in the wrong jack
• Headphones plugged in while you listen for the speakers
• Audio enhancements interfering
• A disabled or undetected audio device
• An outdated or malfunctioning audio driver
• An incompatible audio driver after a Windows update

Step-by-Step Solutions

The steps are listed in order, so try the first one, check your sound, and move on to the next only if it didn’t help.

1. 1

   Step 1: Check the output device

   If more than one audio output device is available, make sure Windows is playing to the right one.

   Select the Speakers icon on the taskbar, then select the arrow to the right of the speaker volume slider. This opens a list of audio devices connected to your PC. Check that your audio is playing to the device you want, such as your speakers or headphones.

   You can also select Start, then Settings, then System, then Sound. Under Output, select the correct audio device, make sure the volume isn’t muted and turn the slider up. The device you select under Output is also set as the default.

   If you use an external monitor that doesn’t have built-in speakers, make sure the monitor isn’t selected as your output device. If it is, you won’t have any audio.

   Good to know

   If you don’t see the Speakers icon on the taskbar, it may be in the overflow area. Select Show hidden icons to check there.

2. 2

   Step 2: Check cables, power and volume controls

   A loose cable, a switched-off speaker or a muted control can each leave you with no sound.

   Check your speaker and headphone connections for loose cords or cables, and make sure everything is plugged in. Make sure your speakers’ power is turned on.

   Make sure mute isn’t turned on and turn up all the volume controls. Some speakers and apps have their own volume controls, so check them all.

   Your speakers might not work while headphones are plugged in. Unplug your headphones and test again. If you use USB speakers or headphones, try a different USB port.

   Good to know

   If your PC or sound system has several audio jacks, such as for surround sound, make sure each cord is in the correct jack. Some systems use a green jack for output and a pink jack for mic input; others are labeled “headphone” or “microphone.”

3. 3

   Step 3: Run the audio troubleshooter

   On Windows 11, Microsoft suggests the automated audio troubleshooter as a first fix.

   Run the automated audio troubleshooter in the Get Help app. It runs diagnostics and attempts to fix most audio problems.

   You can also start it from Settings. Select Start, then Settings, then System. Scroll down, select Troubleshoot, then Other troubleshooters, and in the Audio section select Run.

   If the troubleshooter doesn’t solve the problem, continue with the next steps.

4. 4

   Step 4: Check the volume mixer and app volume

   Make sure no device or app is muted and your output device hasn’t been disabled.

   Select Start, then Settings, then System, then Sound, and select Volume mixer. A muted volume control shows an “x” next to it. To unmute, adjust the volume control or select the Unmute speakers icon.

   If system sounds play but one app is silent, check that app under Apps in Volume mixer. App volume controls can override system volume, so make sure the app isn’t muted and its slider is turned up. Apps can also use a different output device than the system default, so confirm the correct Output device is selected for the app.

   To check that your device hasn’t been disabled by mistake, go back to the Sound page. Under Advanced, select More sound settings, then the Playback tab. Select your device, select Properties, and next to Device usage make sure Use this device (enable) is selected.

   Good to know

   If you connect speakers or headphones with USB or HDMI, you might need to set that device as the default. In More sound settings, on the Playback tab, right-click the device and select Set as default.

5. 5

   Step 5: Turn off audio enhancements

   Audio enhancements can sometimes cause audio problems.

   Select Start, then Settings, then System, then Sound. In the Output section, select the device you’re using, such as your speakers or headphones.

   On the page that opens, scroll to Advanced settings and set Audio enhancements to Off from the dropdown menu.

6. 6

   Step 6: Install updates and restart

   Pending updates can replace missing components and fix known audio problems.

   Select Start, then Settings, then Windows Update, then Check for updates. If the status says “Updates are available,” select Install now. If it says “You’re up to date,” go to the next step.

   Many updates need a restart. Save your work and close your apps, then select Start, then Power. If updates are waiting, you’ll see Update and restart and Update and shut down. Select one of those restart options to apply the updates, then check your sound.

7. 7

   Step 7: Turn on a missing audio device

   If you see “No audio output device is installed,” or your speakers don’t appear under Output, Windows may not be detecting the device.

   In the search box on the taskbar, type device manager and select it from the results. Expand Sound, video and game controllers.

   If your audio device is listed, right-click it and select Enable device if that option is available.

   If you don’t see it, select View, then Show hidden devices. Then select Action, then Scan for hardware changes.

   Restarting Windows can also fix temporary problems that stop audio devices from being detected. Select Start, then Power, then Restart, and check if the device appears.

8. 8

   Step 8: Update or reinstall the audio driver

   Outdated or malfunctioning drivers can cause audio problems.

   In the search box on the taskbar, type device manager and select it. Select the arrow next to Sound, video and game controllers. Right-click your sound card or audio device, such as your headphones or speakers, select Update driver, then Search automatically for drivers, and follow the instructions. If Windows doesn’t find a new driver, look for one on the device manufacturer’s website.

   If updating doesn’t help, uninstall the driver. Right-click the device, select Uninstall device, select the Attempt to remove the driver for this device check box, then select Uninstall. Then restart your PC. The restart prompts your PC to reinstall the audio driver.

   If that doesn’t work either, try the generic audio driver that comes with Windows. Right-click the device, select Update driver, then Browse my computer for drivers, then Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer. Select the audio device, select Next and follow the instructions.

   Good to know

   Save your documents and any other work before you restart.

9. 9

   Step 9: Roll back the driver after an update

   If sound worked before a Windows update, going back to the previous driver may restore it.

   Open Device Manager and expand Sound, video and game controllers. Right-click your sound card or audio device and select Properties.

   Select the Driver tab, then select Roll Back Driver. Then restart your PC.

   Good to know

   Roll Back Driver is available only if a previous driver version exists. If rolling back doesn’t work or isn’t an option, you can try restoring your PC from a system restore point.

10. 10

    Step 10: Restart the Windows audio services

    Restarting the audio services can bring sound back if they didn’t start correctly.

    Select Start, type services.msc and press Enter.

    Right-click Windows Audio and select Restart. Then right-click Windows Audio Endpoint Builder and select Restart. Test your audio.

Frequently Asked Questions