If sound stopped working right after a driver or Windows update, try Roll Back Driver first. If there is no update-related cause—or rollback is unavailable—uninstall the audio device in Device Manager and restart so Windows can try to reinstall its driver. If the device is missing, check whether Windows has disabled or hidden it before assuming the hardware has failed.
Choose the right recovery step
| What happened | Try first | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Audio failed after a recent driver or Windows update | Roll back the audio driver | It returns to an earlier driver version if one is available. |
| No recent update caused the problem, or rollback is unavailable | Uninstall the audio device and restart | Windows normally attempts to reinstall the driver during restart. |
| Windows does not show the audio device | Check device status and detection, then run the Audio troubleshooter in Get Help | The device may be disabled, hidden, missing, or affected by an incompatible driver. |
These steps use Windows 11 tools. Menu wording can vary slightly by Windows version or device. Microsoft’s guides to fixing sound or audio problems and audio problems after an update describe the recovery paths below.
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Roll back a driver after an update
Use rollback when sound broke after a recent driver or Windows update. The control is available only when Windows has an earlier driver version to return to, and it may require administrator permissions.
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Right-click Start and choose Device Manager.
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Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
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Right-click the audio device that is having trouble and select Properties.
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Open the Driver tab, select Roll Back Driver, and follow the prompts. If the button is unavailable, Windows does not have a previous driver version available for rollback.
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Restart the PC and test audio.
For Microsoft’s update-specific instructions, see Fix audio stops working after a Windows update in Windows.
Reinstall the audio driver through Device Manager
If rollback is not available or the problem is not tied to a recent update, uninstall the audio device and restart. Save open work first. Microsoft says Windows should attempt to reinstall the driver as the PC restarts.
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Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
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Expand Sound, video and game controllers, then right-click the affected audio device and choose Uninstall device.
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If Windows offers an option to attempt to remove the driver package, it is not required for every reinstall; do not treat deleting the package as a mandatory step.
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Restart the PC and check whether audio works.
Microsoft’s audio troubleshooting guide describes uninstalling the device and restarting to trigger the reinstall.
If Windows does not reinstall a working driver
Try a generic driver already available in Windows
If the automatic reinstall does not restore audio, try selecting a driver from the choices Windows has available:
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In Device Manager, right-click the audio device and select Update driver.
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Choose Browse my computer for drivers, then Let me pick from a list of available drivers.
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Select an available compatible driver and follow the prompts. Restart if Windows asks, then test audio.
Get the model-specific driver from the manufacturer
If the available Windows driver does not work, look for the Windows 11 audio driver on the official support site for your exact PC, motherboard, or audio-device manufacturer. Choose the package for your model and Windows version; there is no single audio driver suitable for every PC. Microsoft notes that Device Manager saying the best driver is already installed does not rule out a newer version on the manufacturer’s site. Avoid third-party driver-download sites and driver utility software.
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When the audio device is missing
If the device is absent from Device Manager or does not appear as an output option, check detection and status before concluding the hardware has failed:
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In Device Manager, check whether the device is disabled. If Enable device is offered, select it.
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Choose View > Show hidden devices to check for an audio device that is not currently displayed.
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Choose Action > Scan for hardware changes and check whether Windows detects the device.
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In Windows 11, open Get Help and run the automated Audio troubleshooter.
If Windows still cannot detect it, check the PC or sound-card manufacturer’s official support site for the latest audio driver for your Windows version. Microsoft’s missing or undetected audio output device guide covers these checks.
If rollback and reinstall do not fix the problem
Consider System Restore if a suitable restore point is available. Microsoft says System Restore reverts system files and settings without affecting personal files. Review the available restore points and Windows recovery guidance before proceeding: Recovery options in Windows.
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