Quick answer
First check that the correct output device is selected and that your speakers or headphones are turned up in the volume mixer. If there is still no sound, check the Windows Audio service, the sound driver and the app's own settings in turn. Most cases are resolved without reinstalling the system.
How to recognize the problem
- The speaker icon in the system tray shows a crossed-out symbol or a red mark
- Sound works in one app but not in the browser or player
- Windows reports that no audio output device was found
- Sound is heard only through headphones, while the speakers are silent
- Sound disappeared after a system update or connecting a monitor
Most common causes
Wrong output device
Windows has selected an HDMI monitor, USB headphones or a virtual device instead of the speakers you are using. Sound then goes to a device you are not listening to.
Windows Audio service disabled or stopped
The service that manages sound may be stopped or disabled, so no app receives audio.
Faulty or outdated sound driver
After a major Windows update, the driver often remains incompatible, so the device does not appear or does not work.
Sound muted in the app or browser
The browser and some apps have their own output selection and their own volume, independent of Windows.
Physical problem with the port or cable
A loose cable, the wrong input on the speakers or a faulty port produce the same symptom as a software fault.
Step-by-step fix
- 1
Check the volume and the crossed-out icon
Click the speaker icon in the system tray and check whether sound is muted and how high the volume is. If the icon is crossed out, open the volume control and turn the sound on. Also check that the sound is not muted with a function key on the keyboard.
- 2
Select the correct output device
Open
Settings > System > Soundand under output select the speakers or headphones you are actually using. In Windows 10 the path isSettings > System > Sound, and the output selection is at the top of the page. If the device is not in the list, see the step with drivers. - 3
Check the sound in the app itself
In the browser, click the sound icon on the tab and check that the tab is not muted. In Windows, open
Settings > System > Soundand in the volume mixer check the list of apps, because each can have its own level. In apps such as Teams or Zoom, check the speaker selection and, if needed, the microphone in their settings. - 4
Run the sound troubleshooter
Open
Settings > System > Soundand look for the option to troubleshoot sound, or in Windows 10 go toSettings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters. Windows will check the service, driver and selected device itself. - 5
Check the Windows Audio service
Press
Win + R, typeservices.mscand confirm. FindWindows Audio Endpoint BuilderandWindows Audio, double-click to open properties and check that the startup type isAutomatic; if not, selectAutomatic. If the services are not running, first clickStartforWindows Audio Endpoint Builder, then forWindows Audio. - 6
Reinstall the sound driver
Open
Device Manager, thenSound, video and game controllers. Right-click the device and selectDisable device, confirm, then enable it again. If that does not help, selectUpdate driver > Search automatically for drivers, and as a last optionUninstall device(save your work first) and restart the computer so Windows reinstalls the driver. If an option to delete the driver software appears, leave it unchecked. - 7
Check the physical connections
Unplug and reconnect the speaker or headphone cable, preferably into another port. If you use a monitor with speakers via an HDMI or DisplayPort cable, check that the monitor's volume is turned up and that it is selected as the output. Test the same headphones on another device to rule out equipment failure.
- 8
Restore the previous system state if the problem is new
If the sound disappeared after installing a driver or an update, open
Settings > System > Recovery(Windows 11) orSettings > Update & Security > Recovery(Windows 10) and check the options for restoring to a previous state. Back up important files first, because restoring may affect recently installed programs.
If nothing helped
If there is still no sound, first check whether the problem also occurs in another user account on the same computer. If sound is heard there, the fault is in your profile settings, so the fastest fix is to create a new account and transfer your files. If there is no sound in the other account either, try booting the computer from a live operating system flash drive (for example Linux) and check the sound in that environment, which separates a hardware from a software fault. On laptops, also check whether the sound is turned off with a switch or function key. If the problem recurs after every update, note the exact sound card model and driver version, as this will speed up further diagnosis.
How to prevent it
- Regularly install Windows updates and drivers from the computer manufacturer's website
- Do not change the output device in apps unless you are sure which one you are using
- Check that cables and ports are properly connected after moving the computer
- Create a system restore point before major driver changes
When to call a professional
If you have gone through all the steps and there is still no sound even in another user account, it is probably a hardware fault with the sound card or motherboard. In that case, it is better to leave the diagnosis to IT support than to replace components yourself.
IT infrastructure maintenance · Servers, networks, backup, security and helpdeskFAQ
Why does sound work in the browser but not in a game?
Most likely a different output device is selected in the game, or its sound is muted in the volume mixer. Check the game's own sound settings and the list of apps in `Settings > System > Sound`.
Is it safe to uninstall the sound driver?
Yes, because on the next start Windows usually installs the default driver itself. Save your work first and do not interrupt the restart, and if there is no sound afterwards, install the driver from the computer manufacturer's website.
Why is there no sound when I connect an HDMI monitor?
Windows then often switches the output to the monitor, and the monitor's speakers may be muted or the monitor may not have any. In `Settings > System > Sound`, select the computer's speakers as the output device again.