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With all of the amazing things happening on Windows right now, like Copilot+ PCs, it sometimes behaves in an unexpected way, like if you suddenly find your computer sound not working on Windows 11. 

Don’t get me wrong, it does happen on Windows 10 too. And the fault is usually related to the hardware or software. 

In this guide, we are going to figure out why the Windows 11 audio is not working and discuss effective ways to fix it. If you’re using Windows 10, this article is for you too! 

Shall we begin? 

By the way, do you already know that Microsoft is preparing to end support for Windows 10? Get prepared and update your PC to Windows 11.

Why Is Your Sound Not Working on Windows 11/10

The following are some of the big reasons why there’s no sound in Windows 10 and 11:

  1. Your computer isn’t updated. Most users, like me, hate Windows updates, so we try to avoid them as much as we can. However, this can lead to various problems, like the audio service not responding. Making sure your system gets the latest updates can correct the sound. 
  2. PC running on old audio drivers. If you haven’t updated your sound drivers in a while, it’s a good time to do so now. That could be the cause of Windows 11 having no sound. The Device Manager or third-party tools can help solve the case. 
  3. Your audio jack is broken. When your audio jack is loose or malfunctioning, it can disrupt the connection, leading to the “Windows 10 has no sound” issue. Try using a different USB port and check for any physical damage. 
  4. Changes to the system’s settings. Any recent changes to the settings on your computer, like adjusting the sound settings or installing volume booster software, can affect the audio output. 

Related: Audio Stuttering in Windows: Automated Fix  

The reasons for the audio not working on Windows 11 or 10 are too many to list. However, we’ll give you the solutions to resolve the issue in the following sections!

How to Fix the Sound Not Working on Windows 11/10

Follow the below steps to correct audio issues, even if there are no output devices found on your Windows 11 or 10 PC:

  • Method 1: Check if the sound is muted

I know this is an obvious step, but it’s  still possible that you or a faulty keyboard may have muted the audio. Click the volume icon at the task bar and check if it’s set to the right volume. 

After that, right-click on the icon and select Open volume mixer to check the current level of volume for all the applications playing audio. 

Increase the microphone volume if it’s low and adjust the volume to your preference. This can be a simple solution to the Windows 11 “no sound” problem.

  • Method 2: Check your plugs, jacks, or headphone connections

Sometimes, Windows may not recognize your headphones if there is a loose cable or cord. If nothing is wrong with the headset, check if the cords are correctly plugged in, especially if you have 5 mm jacks on your surround sound system. 

Some speakers and applications have their own volume controls, which could be tampering with the system’s audio settings. Check them all and ensure they are working harmoniously.

  • Method 3: Make sure the equalizer is balanced and working

Your computer’s equalizer can sometimes prevent the sound from working effectively.

This can happen if the audio enhancements are disabled, there are incorrect adjustments, or there are conflicts between the equalizer and hardware acceleration.

Some antivirus programs can even mistake the equalizer for an antivirus, especially third-party software, leading to the sound not working on Windows 11 or 10.

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Luckily, the solution is simple. Enable the audio enhancement and correct any adjustments. Check if your antivirus is preventing the sound from functioning properly and add it as an exception. 

Related: How to Add and Set Up Sound Equalizer in Windows 10?  

It’s possible that the audio enhancements could be the reason for the audio not working on Windows 11 or 10. Turn it off if that fixes the problem. 

To do that, go to the Control Panel window, select Sound, and choose one of the default devices. After that, select Properties, go to the Enhancements tab, and select Disable all sound effects.

  • Method 4: Restart your PC

If the previous steps didn’t work, try restarting your computer. This often resolves different types of issues, including Windows 11 or 10 sound not working. 

Closing your computer refreshes the operating system and colossal background processes that may be interfering with your audio. 

Check to see if the sound is working after starting your PC again. If there is no improvement, go to the next solution.

  • Method 5: Check your Windows for updates

If you’re running on outdated firmware, you can have no sound on a Windows 11 or 10 PC. Go to the system’s settings and check if there are any updates available.

If there is, update and restart your PC and see if the problem has been resolved. However, if the issue is still there, go to the next method.

Check your Windows for updates

  • Method 6: Restart audio services

Is your media player not playing sound? The problem could be coming from the audio services. This doesn’t usually happen, but it can occur.

Here’s how to restart the audio services:

  • Press Windows + R and type “services.msc” in the search field. 
services.msc
  • Right-click on Windows Audio and choose Restart. 
Windows Audio restart
  • Restart your computer and check if the Windows 10 “no sound” issue has been fixed. 

Also read: Fix Multimedia Audio Controller Driver Errors in Windows 10?

  • Method 7: Uninstall your audio drivers

If your Windows 10 has no sound, the sound driver may be corrupt or incompatible. If that’s the case, you won’t hear any sound from your speakers. 

The solution? Remove the sound driver from your system: 

  • Open your Device Manager by searching for it in the search field and clicking on the relevant results. 
Device Manager
  • Search for Sound, video and game controllers and expand it. Then, search for your sound device, click, and delete it (right-click on it and select Uninstall).
Sound, video and game controllers
  • Restart your PC and see if the problem has been fixed. Windows will automatically reinstall the device, which might correct the issue.
If there are no output devices found on Windows 11 or 10 or the above steps didn’t work, update your drivers with Auslogics Driver Updater. It saves you time and is compatible with your system because all the drivers are official and approved by the manufacturers.

  • Method 8: Use System Restore

Windows creates restore points, usually after Windows updates. The OS does this so that you can revert to the previous update if any issues pop up.

If your PC sound is not working on Windows 11 or 10, you can roll back the update to undo the changes and hopefully fix the problem.

To start the process:

  • Open System Properties by typing the name in your search box and clicking to open it. 
  • Click on System Restore. 
System Restore
  • A window will appear. Click Next, then select the preferred restore point.
Create a restore point
  • Click Next for the process to begin. 

Also read: What to do if System Restore doesn’t work?

The Sound Not Working on Windows 11: Fixed

We’ve covered how to fix the sound not working on Windows 11 and 10, and hopefully, your system sound is working again. 

Go through these troubleshooting alternatives and follow the instructions to the dot. If none of the methods work, contact the manufacturer or an expert to resolve the problem.

FAQ

What if my Windows Media Player doesn’t have sound?
A lot could be going on here. Have you checked if the volume settings in Windows Media Player are not on mute? If you have, verify the system’s sound settings and make sure to tune up the volume. Another tip to solve the “Windows Media Player no sound” problem is to ensure you select the right playback device.
Why can’t I hear anything on my PC?
If there is no sound on a Windows 10/11 computer, confirm the volume levels first. Then, check if the headphones or speakers are properly connected. Also, update your drivers to see if that corrects the problem. We have more in-depth solutions on this page. Check them out!
Why does my sound keep stopping on Windows 11?
These intermittent sound issues are usually due to conflicts with other software, sound settings that are incorrectly set, or audio drivers that are out-of-date. Try upgrading your audio drivers. You can also check your Windows for updates and run Windows audio troubleshooting.
Why is my mute not working on Windows 11?
It could be that you’ve accidentally pressed the mute button on your keyboard. Check to see if that’s the case. If not, check if the right playback device is selected.
Why has the sound disappeared on my computer?
There are numerous reasons for the sound not showing on your PC. It could be that there is a loose connection with external speakers or headphones. Another cause may be apps conflicting with the audio. Check the connections, run Windows updates, and see if the audio output device is selected. Another solution is to run the audio troubleshooter.