This wikiHow teaches you how to solve common problems that cause sound output to be lost on Windows computers. Keep in mind that the problem at hand may be too complex to diagnose and fix on your own. In a situation like this, you need to take your computer to a professional tech repair service.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Performing Basic Repairs
Step 1. Make sure the computer sound is not muted
Often you forget that you have turned the computer volume down or off. Before taking any other steps, press the "Volume Up" button and watch if the volume increases.
If you see that the volume indicator shows the 100 percent level and sound is still not heard, continue to the next step
Step 2. Check the audio device connection
Usually, the computer will not produce sound if the speakers or headphones are only partially attached.
- You will also need to change the audio output to the appropriate device.
- Also, make sure the audio device in question is connected to the correct port.
Step 3. Look for the audio device that is not working
The easiest way to find them is to play songs while connecting and disconnecting devices one at a time. If you hear sound output through the computer's main speakers, and not from the system's loudspeakers, it is likely that the problem is not with the computer.
Step 4. Restart the computer
Before resorting to more restrictive methods, try resetting the audio by restarting the computer. If the computer loads and the sound returns, you do not need to proceed to the next steps.
Method 2 of 5: Checking the Audio Mixer
Step 1. Right click button
It's the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of the screen. Once clicked, a drop-down menu will appear.
- If you're using a laptop, touch the trackpad with two fingers to display the drop-down menu.
- If the volume icon is not displayed on the workbar, right-click the bar, click “ Taskbar settings ", choose " Select which icons appear in the taskbar, and slide the switch next to “ Volume ” towards the right ("On" position).
Step 2. Click Open Volume Mixer
It's at the top of the drop-down menu.
Step 3. Review the volume level for open applications
Each open app has a pentagon slider below its icon. If the slider is at the bottom of the “Mixer” window, the main volume of the respective application is muted.
Step 4. Click and drag the volume slider towards the top
After that, the volume of the application in question will be enlarged.
If you want to increase the overall system volume, click and drag the " Speakers " volume slider upwards
Step 5. Click X
It's in the upper-right corner of the "Mixer" window. If the computer audio problem came from the mixer, it's now solved.
Method 3 of 5: Changing the Speaker Format
Step 1. Disconnect all audio devices from the computer
This device includes headphones, speakers, and other devices that connect to the computer's headphone slot or port.
- If you connect a Bluetooth headset to a computer, disconnect the device.
- If you are using a desktop computer, reattach the speakers firmly.
Step 2. Right click the volume icon
It's in the lower-right corner of the screen.
- If you're using a laptop, touch the trackpad with two fingers to display the drop-down menu.
- If the volume icon is not displayed on the workbar, right-click the bar, click “ Taskbar settings ", choose " Select which icons appear in the taskbar, and slide the switch next to “ Volume ” towards the right ("On" position).
Step 3. Click Playback devices
It's in the middle of the drop-down menu.
Step 4. Double-click Speakers
After that, the computer's main speaker properties window will be displayed.
On the desktop computer, click the name of the connected speaker
Step 5. Click the Advanced tab
It's a tab at the top of the window.
Step 6. Click the drop-down box under the "Default Format" text
This box may display a label such as " 24-bit, 44100 Hz (Studio Quality) " or " 16-bit, 48000 Hz (DVD Quality) ".
Step 7. Click the new frequency option
If the box initially labeled "24 bit" as an option, select the 16 bit option (or vice versa).
Step 8. Click Test
It's on the right side of the window. Once clicked, the loudspeaker will play a tone if the selection works.
Step 9. Repeat the test with each frequency
If you find a frequency option that makes sound, the audio problem with your computer has been successfully resolved.
Step 10. Click the OK button
After that, the settings will be saved.
Method 4 of 5: Updating Windows Audio Driver
Step 1. Open the “Start” menu
Click the Windows logo in the lower-left corner of the screen, or press Win key to open it.
In Windows 8, hover over the top-left corner of the screen, then click the magnifying glass icon
Step 2. Type Device Manager into the “Start” menu
After that, the Device Manager program icon will appear at the top of the “Start” window.
Step 3. Click
"Device Manager".
This option looks like an image of a printer and camera next to each other.
Step 4. Swipe the screen and click
on the left side Sound, video and game controllers.
This option is at the bottom of the Device Manager program window. After that, a list of devices and audio programs installed on the computer will be displayed.
Step 5. Right-click the “High Definition Audio” option
This option is usually labeled “[Brand] High Definition Audio” (e.g. “ Realtek High Definition Audio ”).
Click the volume icon in the lower right corner to display the name of the current active speaker system
Step 6. Click Update drivers
It's at the top of the drop-down menu.
Step 7. Click Search automatically for updated driver software
This button is the top option in the “Driver Update” window. After that, the computer will immediately look for the update file.
Step 8. Install new drivers if prompted
You may need to confirm your selection by clicking the “ Yes " or " Install " However, new drivers will usually be downloaded automatically.
If the computer is using the latest version of the driver, the audio problem on the computer is not related to the driver
Step 9. Restart the computer
After the driver has finished installing, you will need to restart the computer for the changes to take effect. If the driver is causing the loss of sound output on your computer, you should now be able to hear sound.
Method 5 of 5: Using the Command Prompt Program
Step 1. Open the “Start” menu
Click the Windows logo in the lower-left corner of the screen, or press Win key to open it.
In Windows 8, hover over the top-right corner of the screen and click the magnifying glass icon
Step 2. Type command prompt into the “Start” menu
After that, the Command Prompt program icon will appear at the top of the “Start” window.
Step 3. Right-click the Command Prompt icon
This icon looks like a black box. A drop-down menu will appear after that.
Step 4. Click Run as administrator
It's at the top of the drop-down menu.
If you do not have administrator rights on the computer at this time, simply click the Command Prompt icon
Step 5. Click OK if prompted
Command Prompt will open immediately.
Step 6. Type net localgroup Administrators /add localservice
This command lowers the basic security level required to create and execute system files, including the computer's audio driver.
Step 7. Press Enter key
After that, the command will be executed.
Step 8. Restart the computer
Once the command works, restart the computer to apply the changes.
