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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteIf no sound plays from speakers or headphones in Windows 10 or 11, first check that Windows is sending audio to the right output and that it is not muted. Then follow the branch that matches what you see: a selected device with no sound, “No audio output device is installed,” a problem that began after an update, Bluetooth connected but silent, or crackling and distorted audio.
1. Check the selected output and volume
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Open Settings > System > Sound.
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Under Output, select the speakers or headphones you want to use. If several devices are listed, do not assume Windows has selected the one you are listening to.
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Check the output volume and make sure it is not muted. Raise it enough to test, then play audio again.
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An incorrect output selection, mute, audio enhancements, or a driver problem can all cause sound trouble, according to Microsoft’s Windows sound troubleshooting guidance. If the intended device is selected and the volume is up but there is still no sound, continue to the matching steps below.
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2. Run the Windows audio troubleshooter
Open the Get Help app and run its automated audio troubleshooter. Follow its prompts, let it apply any suggested fixes, and test sound again when it finishes. In Windows 11, another route to troubleshooters is Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters; available labels and routes can vary by Windows version. Microsoft documents this route in its Windows 11 sound guide and audio troubleshooting instructions.
3. If the device is selected but sound is silent or poor
Turn off audio enhancements
In Windows 11, open Settings > System > Sound, select the output device, and look in its advanced settings for Audio enhancements. Turn enhancements off and test again. In Windows 10, open the playback device’s properties; depending on the driver and PC, effects may appear on an Enhancements tab or under Advanced. The exact controls are not identical on every computer. Microsoft includes disabling enhancements among its no-sound troubleshooting steps.
For crackling or distorted sound, try another format
If sound plays but crackles or sounds distorted, try a different default audio format in the output device’s properties, then test again. The format control’s location varies with the Windows version and audio driver. Microsoft also lists enhancements, drivers, and audio services as possible causes of audio problems. If the sound remains distorted, use the driver steps in the next section rather than treating the symptom as a missing-device problem.
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4. If Windows says “No audio output device is installed”
When the output device is missing from Settings, inspect whether Windows can see it in Device Manager before changing unrelated sound settings.
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Open Device Manager and expand Sound, video and game controllers.
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If the audio device is listed but disabled, enable it. If it is not listed, use Device Manager’s View menu to show hidden devices, then choose Action > Scan for hardware changes.
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If the device or its driver is still missing or incompatible, get the audio driver for your specific Windows version from your PC manufacturer or sound-card manufacturer. Install it and restart Windows.
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Use the manufacturer’s driver rather than an unrelated driver-download site. Microsoft explains these steps for a missing output device and audio driver problems.
5. If audio stopped working after a Windows update
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Check for pending Windows updates, install them, and restart the PC.
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In Device Manager, expand Sound, video and game controllers and check the audio driver. Try updating it. If the problem began after a recent driver update, open the device’s properties and use Roll Back Driver if that option is available.
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If the issue continues, open Services and restart Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder.
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Microsoft lists driver updates or rollback and restarting audio services among its steps for sound problems after a Windows update. The rollback option may not be available for every device or driver.
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6. If Bluetooth is connected but there is no sound
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Open Settings > System > Sound and select the Bluetooth headphones or speaker under Output. A Bluetooth connection alone does not mean Windows is sending playback to that device.
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If it is selected but silent, open the Bluetooth device’s audio format settings and try 2 channels, 16 bit, 48000 Hz.
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If sound still does not work, remove the Bluetooth device from Windows and pair it again. If the problem followed an operating-system upgrade or update, check for a compatible audio or Bluetooth driver from the PC or device manufacturer.
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These are Bluetooth-specific troubleshooting steps in Microsoft’s audio guidance; they are separate from the steps for a missing wired or built-in output device.
Windows 10 support status
Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. Microsoft says that after that date it no longer provides free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10; existing PCs continue to work. That support change is important for maintaining a Windows 10 PC, but it does not by itself diagnose or fix a particular audio fault. See Microsoft’s sound troubleshooting guidance for audio-specific steps.
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