Losing sound on a Windows PC is a frustrating experience, especially if it happens during an important video call, while watching a movie, or during work. The “no sound” issue is surprisingly common and can happen after a system update, driver installation, or even a restart. Thankfully, most of these problems can be solved with a few troubleshooting steps, even by non-technical users.
Check Basic Audio Settings First
Before diving into system changes, it’s important to confirm the issue isn’t something simple. Make sure your speakers or headphones are securely connected and powered on. If you’re using Bluetooth, ensure the device is paired and listed as connected in the Bluetooth settings.
Next, check the system volume:
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Click the speaker icon in the taskbar
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Make sure the master volume is turned up
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Also check volume within the app you’re using (browser, media player, etc.)
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Test multiple sources—YouTube, a local MP3 file, or system sounds—to confirm it’s not app-specific
Sometimes, Windows switches to the wrong output device. To confirm:
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Right-click the speaker icon and select “Sound settings”
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Under “Output device,” choose the correct speakers or headphones
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Test sound again
Run the Windows Audio Troubleshooter
Windows includes a built-in troubleshooter for sound issues:
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Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters
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Find “Playing Audio” and click “Run”
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Follow the on-screen instructions
This tool automatically detects common problems and applies fixes, such as restarting the audio service or correcting output selection.
Restart the Windows Audio Service
In some cases, the Windows Audio service may stop responding. To restart it:
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Press Windows + R and type
services.msc -
Locate “Windows Audio”
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Right-click > Restart
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Do the same for “Windows Audio Endpoint Builder”
Reboot your system and check if the issue is resolved.
Update or Roll Back Audio Drivers
Drivers are a common source of sound problems, especially after system updates. To update:
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Open Device Manager (right-click Start > Device Manager)
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Expand “Sound, video and game controllers”
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Right-click your audio device and select “Update driver”
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Choose “Search automatically for drivers”
If you lost sound after a driver update, roll it back:
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Right-click the audio device > Properties > Driver tab
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Click “Roll Back Driver” if available
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Restart the system
If that option is grayed out, uninstall the device and reboot. Windows will reinstall a generic driver automatically.
Try a Different Audio Format
Sometimes the current audio format is incompatible with your hardware or apps:
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Right-click the speaker icon > Sound settings > More sound settings
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In the Playback tab, select your device > Properties > Advanced tab
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Try different sample rates (e.g., 16 bit, 44100 Hz)
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Test each one and apply the working option
Test with External Audio Devices
Plug in headphones or external speakers. If they work, the issue may be hardware-related with the built-in speakers. If both internal and external devices fail, the problem is likely software-based.
When to Consider Hardware Failure
If none of the above steps work, and no audio device appears in Device Manager, the sound card or audio chip on the motherboard may have failed. In laptops, this often requires mainboard repair. As a temporary fix, a USB sound card can restore functionality.
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