How to Fix Audio Issues on a Laptop | 5 Troubleshooting Steps for Laptop Sound

How Can I Fix the No Sound Issue on My Computer?

When we rely on our laptop for video conferencing, attending online classes, or enjoying music, any audio malfunction can severely disrupt our experience. Identifying the issue can be quite daunting - is it an issue with the computer itself or the headphones? If you're encountering no sound from your PC, consider the following troubleshooting steps: 1. **Check Volume Settings**: Ensure that both the system volume and application volume are not muted and are at a reasonable level. 2. **Connect headphones**: Try plugging in a pair of headphones or speakers to see if the audio works through them. If it does, the issue might lie with the built-in speakers. 3. **Audio Output Device**: In your system settings, confirm that the correct audio output device (speakers or headphones) is selected. 4. **Driver Update**: Visit your laptop manufacturer's website to download and install the latest audio drivers. 5. **Restart the Sound Services**: Open Task Manager, find the 'Windows Audio' service, and restart it. 6. **Disable Enhancements**: In the Sound settings, go to the 'Enhancements' tab and disable all enhancements. Sometimes these can cause issues. 7. **Run Sound Troubleshooter**: Windows has a built-in troubleshooter for audio problems. Access it through the Settings app. 8. **Check for Malware**: Perform a malware scan as sometimes malicious software can interfere with system functions. 9. **System Restore**: If you recently installed updates or software, a system restore might fix the issue by rolling back to a previous state. 10. **Contact Support**: If none of these work, it might be best to contact your laptop's technical support for further assistance. Remember, troubleshooting often requires patience and a systematic approach. Don't hesitate to try different solutions until you find the one that works for you.

Method 1: Check Your Volume Setting

Method 2: Check or Restart Your Audio Device

Method 3: Update or Install the Audio or Speaker Drivers

Method 4: Disable Audio Enhancement

Method 5: Confirm All Windows Updates are Installed

Method 1: Check Your Volume Setting

Verify if you have turned on your volume. This is the first thing you should do when there's no sound on a laptop. It takes minimal time to determine if this is the issue. I've lost count of how many times I've inadvertently lowered the volume, only to slap my forehead in frustration upon realizing it. Here are the steps to check: 1. Look for the volume icon in the bottom right corner of your screen, usually in the taskbar. It's often represented by a speaker symbol. 2. Click on the volume icon and ensure that the volume is not muted. If it is, click on the mute button to unmute it. 3. Adjust the volume slider to increase the volume level. 4. If you still don't hear any sound, right-click on the volume icon and select "Sounds." In the new window, check if the volume levels for your playback devices are set appropriately. Make sure the correct device (e.g., built-in speakers or headphones) is selected as the default. 5. If you're using external speakers or headphones, ensure they are properly connected and powered on. If the issue persists after these checks, there might be deeper problems with your audio drivers or hardware, and further troubleshooting may be required.

Step 1. Ensure that the volume is not muted and turned up. Right-click on the sound icon located in the bottom-right corner of your screen.

Step 2. Look for a small speaker icon at the bottom right corner of the desktop, then left-click on it to open the volume control and check if the volume is turned on.

Step 3. If you see an "X" symbol on the sound icon, your volume is turned off.

Step 4. Click the tiny speaker icon to turn on the volume. To increase the volume, click it, select the volume bar, and slide it to the right. You should hear a "ding" when you release it.

For Mac users running macOS Big Sur or later, the sound controls are hidden within the Control Center icon in the top-right corner of the screen. To raise the volume, slide the Soundbar to the right. On devices with earlier operating systems, you'll find a separate volume button for this purpose.

Ensure that any connected external speakers are turned on and have their volume adjusted. Confirm that the application you're using, whether it's a music or video player, is active and capable of setting the volume to its maximum level.

The same applies to YouTube and other in-browser players; it's easy to accidentally mute them, and subsequently, it can be tricky to realize. For instance, Chrome users can control audio playback from any tab by clicking on the music note icon in the browser's menu.

Method 2: Check or Restart Your Audio Device

Undoubtedly, the suggestion to perform a "hard reset" is a common staple in tech troubleshooting advice. Have you tried turning it off and on again? This phrase often kickstarts every IT support conversation. Despite its frequent use, this advice remains reliable and useful. Therefore, if you're experiencing sound issues on your laptop, attempt to check or restart your audio device. Here are some essential steps to follow:

Step 1. Try to restart your laptop.

Step 2. If that doesn't work, you might need a new audio device.

Step 3. Go back into the Sound Control Panel to get a new audio device, then to the Playback tab.

Step 4. Select another audio device or add additional devices to play sound in [output].

Continue experimenting with different audio devices to determine which one can provide sound to your computer. It's possible that Windows 10 is routing audio to the wrong output device.

This situation can arise, for example, if you connect an audio device capable of using USB to your computer, like a gaming headset. In such cases, your laptop might recognize this device as the default output, which would explain why you're not hearing sound through your computer's built-in speakers. It indicates that your computer speakers are working correctly; they simply haven't been designated as your preferred audio output. To restore sound, you'll need to adjust the settings accordingly.

Method 3: Update or Install the Audio or Speaker Drivers To resolve audio issues, updating or installing the audio or speaker drivers can be effective. Follow these steps: 1. **Identify your audio device**: First, you need to know which audio device is installed on your computer. You can find this information in the Device Manager. - Press `Windows key + X` and select "Device Manager" from the menu. - Expand the "Sound, video and game controllers" category. - Look for your audio device, usually named "Realtek High Definition Audio," "Intel HD Audio," or something similar. 2. **Update the driver**: To update the driver, follow these steps: - Right-click on your audio device and choose "Update driver." - Select "Search automatically for updated driver software." - Windows will search for and install any available updates. If it doesn't find any, proceed to the next step. 3. **Manually install the driver**: Visit the manufacturer's website (e.g., Realtek, Intel, or your PC manufacturer's site) to download the latest audio driver. - Go to the "Support" or "Downloads" section and locate the appropriate driver for your system model and operating system. - Download and save the driver file to your computer. - After downloading, right-click on the downloaded file and choose "Run as administrator" to install the driver. - Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. 4. **Reboot your system**: After updating or installing the driver, restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect. 5. **Check if the issue is resolved**: Play some audio to verify if the sound is working correctly. If the problem persists after trying these steps, there might be other underlying issues that require further troubleshooting.

Updating or installing drivers on your computer might seem challenging, but it's actually quite straightforward. Moreover, outdated or missing drivers are among the most common reasons for sound issues on laptops. Consider using a tool like DriverHandy to efficiently resolve audio problems.

Follow the steps below to update your audio drivers using DriverHandy: 1. Download and install DriverHandy on your computer. 2. Launch the application and wait for it to scan your system for outdated drivers. 3. Once the scan is complete, locate the audio driver in the list of detected outdated drivers. 4. Click on "Update" next to the audio driver to initiate the update process. 5. If prompted, confirm any prompts or actions required to proceed with the update. 6. Wait patiently while the software downloads and installs the latest audio driver. 7. Restart your computer to apply the changes and ensure proper installation. 8. Check if the audio issues have been resolved after the restart. Remember to always download software from reliable sources and keep your system protected during the process.

Step 1. Download the tool DriverHandy and open it.

Step 2. Click "Scan" to find all the audio or speaker drivers.

Step 3. Click "Update" to resolve the sound issue on your laptop.

And tools like DriverHandy can also automatically detect outdated or corrupted drivers.

Method 4: Disable Audio Enhancement

The utilization of audio enhancement can occasionally lead to audio issues. Disabling these enhancements might resolve the problem with the sound not functioning on your laptop.

Step 1. Type "control panel" into the taskbar search box, then click on it in the results list.

Step 2. Click Hardware and Sound, and then click Sound.

Step 3. Select and hold (or right-click) the [Default Device] on the Playback tab, then choose [Properties]

Step 4. Depending on what you see, under the [Enhancements] tab, select the [Disable all enhancements] or Disable all sound effects check box, click OK, and then try to play your audio device.

Step 5. If that doesn't help, select a different default device on the Playback page, right-click it, and choose Properties. Under the Enhancements tab, check the Disable all enhancements or Disable all sound effects option, click OK, and then try playing audio again. Repeat this process for each default device.

Method 5: Confirm All Windows Updates are Installed

Seldom does a software update, hardware incompatibility, or a Windows reinstallation resolve the issue of sound not functioning on a laptop. You might need to make some BIOS adjustments. To learn about BIOS, you can refer to this guide. Here are essential steps for updating your Windows system: 1. **Check Sound Settings**: Ensure that your laptop's sound is not muted and the volume is turned up. Also, verify if the correct audio output device is selected. 2. **Update Drivers**: Go to Device Manager, locate Sound, video and game controllers, expand it, right-click on your audio driver, and choose "Update driver." You can also visit your laptop manufacturer's website to download the latest drivers. 3. **Run Audio Troubleshooter**: In Windows, search for "troubleshoot" and click on "Troubleshoot settings." From there, select "Sound" and follow the on-screen instructions. 4. ** BIOS Update**: - Restart your laptop and enter BIOS by pressing the designated key (usually F2, F10, DELETE, or ESC) during startup. - Look for "Audio" or "Sound" settings and ensure they are enabled. - Check for any available BIOS updates. If found, follow the on-screen prompts to install them. Remember to note down your current BIOS version before updating. - After updating, save changes and exit BIOS, allowing your laptop to restart normally. 5. **System Restore**: If the issue persists, consider restoring your system to a point when the sound was working correctly. 6. **Reinstall Windows**: As a last resort, you might need to perform a clean installation of Windows, but make sure to back up all your important data first. Remember, each laptop model may have specific BIOS entry methods and settings, so consult your laptop's user manual for detailed instructions.

Step 1. Select Start > Settings > Windows Update and choose Check for updates. (If you've already checked, it will display as Restart now.)

Step 2. Do one of the following: If the status says, "You're up to date," skip to the next tip. If the status says, "Updates are available," choose Install Now.

Step 3. Choose the updates you want to install, then select Install.

Step 4. Restart your laptop and check if the sound is functioning correctly.

These troubleshooting tips are aimed at resolving common issues related to sound not functioning on a laptop. However, it is not an exhaustive list of all possible causes for your computer's audio problems.

Attempt all these troubleshooting options and meticulously follow the steps before concluding that there is hardware or software failure. If none of these remedies prove effective, contemplate reaching out to a specialist or the computer manufacturer.

Sound Not Working on Laptop Q&A

1. How can I resolve the issue of the microphone not having any sound?

Step 1. Select Start > Settings > Privacy & security.

Step 2. Under App permissions, select Microphone.

Step 3. Make sure that the toggles for "Allow apps to access your microphone" and "Microphone access" are both turned on.

2. How to resolve the issue of headphones not working on a laptop?

Step 1. Ensure that your headphones are correctly plugged in.

Step 2. Make sure you open the volume.

Step 3. Ensure your headphones are functioning correctly.

Step 4. Clean the headphone jack.

Step 5. Change the audio format to headphones.

The Bottom Line

These troubleshooting steps address numerous common issues related to poor PC audio. However, this is not an exhaustive list of all possible causes for your computer's audio problems.

Attempt all these troubleshooting options and meticulously adhere to the steps before presuming hardware or software failure. If none of these remedies prove effective, contemplate reaching out to a specialist or the computer manufacturer.