No sound in Windows

• Estimated time: 2 min
• Easy
• Low risk

Check where audio goes before changing its driver.

1. Choose the output you actually use, unmute and check its physical control. A monitor without speakers can be selected and receive audio you will not hear.

   1. Settings
   2. ›System
   3. ›Sound

2. Test two applications through that same output without maximizing volume. If one works, follow app; if the device is missing, follow detection; if listed but both are silent, compare outputs. Stop if selecting the correct output resolved it.

• Estimated time: 5 min
• Easy
• Low risk

1. Play familiar content in the app and check its volume, mute and internal output. In Settings > System > Sound > Volume mixer, check that application while it plays; depending on Windows, the mixer can also be opened from the sound icon.

2. If it used another output, choose the correct one and repeat the same content. If sound returns, that app’s routing was the problem. If another app still works and this one does not, check the app’s support/settings; do not uninstall system audio.

• Estimated time: 5 min
• Easy
• Low risk

1. Check power and connection. For analog jacks, use labels to distinguish microphone input from output; some PCs share a single speaker/headphone endpoint and do not show two separate names. For USB, try a direct compatible port following accessory precautions.

2. In More sound settings/Sound Control Panel > Playback, check whether the output is disabled; enable only the expected output if disabled. If still absent, read its status in Device Manager. If missing even with a verified connection, keep its name/code for the correct driver or PC support.

• Estimated time: 5 min
• Easy
• Low risk

1. At low volume, test the same audio through another known output and explicitly select it. If headphones work but speakers do not, unplug headphones before testing speakers: some PCs mute speakers when a jack is connected. Also check external speaker power/mute.

2. If speakers work but headphones do not, compare those headphones on another compatible device and another pair in the same port if available. Only the first pair failing points to the accessory; several failing in that port point to that path’s connection/detection. Working USB audio does not prove the analog circuit works.

3. If no output plays in two apps, run Get Help audio diagnostics and confirm the tested device. If it corrects output or mute, repeat the test and stop if it works. If it says device not detected, return to detection; if it identifies an unresolved driver/service problem, keep the result for the advanced branch.

• Estimated time: 5 min
• Easy
• Low risk

1. Record when audio disappeared and the current driver version. First reselect the output: an update can also change the default device. If unresolved and audio worked before that driver changed, targeted rollback is justified.

2. If only one app fails, complete its branch first. If another output works, identify the failing output’s driver; do not also roll back HDMI, USB and Bluetooth by elimination.

• Estimated time: 5 min
• Easy
• Low risk

1. If speakers or wired headphones work and only Bluetooth headphones are silent, follow the related connected-Bluetooth-headphones-without-sound guide. This comparison avoids changing the already working speaker driver.

2. If the failure is that nobody hears your voice, the related microphone guide covers input rather than this output. If no playback works, return to output comparison.