There’s nothing like cranking up some tunes to keep your momentum going during the workday. But if your laptop’s sound isn’t working, it can really kill your groove. Sometimes it can be hard to figure out the issue; is it your headphones or could there be something wrong with the driver? I’ll guide you through troubleshooting your computer, in case you aren’t getting any sound.
Check Your Volume Levels
This seems obvious, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve accidentally muted my volume, only to slap my forehead in exasperation later. Click the speaker icon in the bottom-right corner of the Windows taskbar and make sure your volume is unmuted and turned up. In Windows 11, the Wi-Fi, volume, and battery settings are found via a single button on the taskbar. Click it, select the volume bar, and drag it to the right to turn up the sound; when you let go, you should hear a “ding.”
(Credit: PCMag / Microsoft)
Mac users running macOS Big Sur or later will have the sound controls hidden within the Control Center icon in the top-right corner of the screen. Drag the Sound bar to the right to make things louder. For devices running an older OS, there will be an individual sound button instead.
(Credit: PCMag / Apple)
Unmute Your Apps
If you hear a ding when the volume is increased, but still get no sound, the app you’re trying to use may be muted instead. Make sure the music app or video player—or any other app you’re using—is unmuted and turned up. The same goes for YouTube and other in-browser players—it’s easy to mute them accidentally, which can be frustrating to diagnose later. Chrome users, for instance, can click the music note icon in the browser’s menu to control audio playing from any tab.
Try Some Headphones
If you’re having trouble with your laptop’s built-in speakers, try connecting headphones or a set of speakers. If the sound works through them, you might have a hardware problem with the laptop’s built-in speakers. You can also try connecting a pair of USB headphones (like a USB gaming headset) if you have something like that handy. These can bypass the default audio driver and indicate where the problem might be, so it’s worth a shot.
Change Your Audio Device
It’s possible your speakers are working just fine, but your computer is directing sound to the wrong output device—this is especially common if you’ve plugged in a USB audio device, or are plugged in to an external HDMI monitor that doesn’t have speakers. In Windows, right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar, choose Sound settings, and then make sure the correct device is selected under Output. You can also scroll down, choose More sound settings, and select the audio device there. If you don’t see it, right-click and check Show Disabled Devices. Select the output device you want and click the Set Default button.
If you’re a Mac user, go to System Settings > Sound and select the Output tab. Make sure the correct output device is selected, that the volume and balance are set appropriately, and the sound is not accidentally muted.
Get Our Best Stories!
Get the Most Out of Your Technology
Sign up for the Tips, Tricks, and How-To newsletter for all of our best expert advice.
Sign up for the Tips, Tricks, and How-To newsletter for all of our best expert advice.
By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!
Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!
(Credit: PCMag / Microsoft)
Disable Audio Enhancements
If you’re still having trouble, Microsoft recommends disabling any audio enhancements that might be on. In Windows, head to Settings > System > Sound, then select the current output device and turn off things like Audio enhancements and Spatial sound. You can also return to the More sound settings menu, select the audio device, then click Properties and poke around the options that appear. Make sure the right supported formats are checked and that any enhancements are disabled. For instance, you should make sure that Exclusive Mode is unchecked in the Advanced tab. You might also try turning off any Spatial Sound enhancements as well.
(Credit: PCMag / Microsoft)
Install or Update Your Drivers
When in doubt, check the drivers. Click the Start menu, type “device manager,” and press Enter to open the Control Panel. Scroll down to Sound, Video and Game Controllers and expand the menu to show all possible audio output devices. If there’s a yellow exclamation mark next to any of them, that’s a sign you may need to re-install the driver from the manufacturer’s website. Regardless, installing the driver is worth a shot anyway. You can also try uninstalling it. Right-click the one you’re trying to use—in my case, it’s Realtek Audio—and choose Uninstall Device. When you reboot Windows, the generic driver will be re-installed, which may fix things.
Recommended by Our Editors
For macOS, the best way to fix any driver issue is to simply update the operating system. Open System Settings > General > Software Update and install any pending updates. If there’s an updated driver, it’ll be in there. In most cases, you won’t be messing around with third-party drivers on a Mac. However, if you have a studio setup, Apple has some suggestions to help with the Audio MIDI Setup app.
(Credit: PCMag / Microsoft)
Update Your BIOS
In rare instances, a hardware incompatibility, software update, or Windows reinstallation can cause your sound to stop working, and you may need to tweak something in the BIOS. Reboot your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI setup menu, usually by pressing Delete, F2, or some other key at startup. First, make sure your sound card is enabled in the BIOS, as it could have gotten disabled at some point. If that doesn’t help, check what BIOS or UEFI version you’re using, and compare it to the latest version on your laptop manufacturer’s website. If your manufacturer has released a new version recently, it might be worth updating. Just be sure to read the instructions and proceed carefully, as a BIOS update can also break things if done improperly.
(Credit: PCMag / Asrock)
Repair the Speakers
If you can’t seem to fix the problem in software, there’s a chance the speakers themselves are broken, or a cable has come loose inside your PC. If you can find a repair manual for your PC, don’t be afraid to crack it open and see what’s going on in there. You can also call in the professionals. Either send it in to the manufacturer for repairs (if it’s under warranty) or find a local shop that can diagnose the problem for you. With any luck, you’ll be jamming again in no time.
5 Windows 11 Tips and Tricks You Need to Know
About Our Experts
Whitson Gordon
Contributing Writer
Experience
Whitson Gordon is a writer, gamer, and tech nerd who has been building PCs for 10 years. He eats potato chips with chopsticks so he doesn’t get grease on his mechanical keyboard.
Read Full Bio
Jason Cohen
Senior Editor, Help & How To
Experience
As PCMag’s editor of how to content, I have to cover a wide variety of topics and also make our stories accessible to everyday users. Considering my history as a technical writer, copywriter, and all-around freelancer covering baseball, comics, and more at various outlets, I am used to making myself into an expert.
I believe tech corporations are bad, but you might as well know how to use technology in everyday life. Want more how to content delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the tips and tricks newsletter that I curate twice a week.
My job as how-to guru means I use just about every gadget under the sun, so I can figure out how everything works. I work from a Lenovo ThinkPad running Windows 11, but also have a very large Dell Inspiron 17 3000 and Apple silicon MacBook. I also have a Google Pixel 6a for personal use and use a Galaxy Z Flip 4 for additional Samsung-related testing. For iOS coverage, an iPhone 13 mini works like a charm, though it’s already becoming a little long in the tooth.
My desktop situation includes a dual monitor setup with a modest Acer monitor. I also use a Logitech mouse (who can use these ThinkPad trackpads) and a Havit keyboard (my first mechanical keyboard; I love it but my wife hates it!). I’m a recent convert from wired headphones; I have Anker Soundcore Liberty Air wireless earbuds for personal use and have taken to the Sennheiser HD 450BT headphones for work.
Whenever I have a second to myself, I’m probably gaming on my Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, or Xbox Series S. I also still have a bunch of classic consoles lying around as well.
Read Full Bio
