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If your Windows 11 PC has no sound, first run the audio troubleshooter in Get Help. Then check that Windows is sending audio to the right device, that nothing is muted, and that the device is connected and enabled. If those checks do not restore sound, work through Windows updates and audio-driver recovery, choosing the steps that match what stopped working.
1. Run the Windows audio troubleshooter
Open the Get Help app and start its automated audio troubleshooter. Microsoft recommends this as the first step for Windows 11 audio problems; it runs diagnostics and attempts fixes. If sound remains unavailable, continue with the checks below. Microsoft’s sound troubleshooting guide covers this tool and the manual steps.
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2. Select the output device you want to hear
Windows may be sending audio to a different device, such as a monitor, USB headset, or Bluetooth headphones.
- Open Settings > System > Sound.
- Under Output, select the speakers or headphones you intend to use.
- Play audio again to check the result.
For HDMI or USB audio, select the intended playback device. A monitor without built-in speakers will not play sound even if it appears as an output. Microsoft explains output selection and other basic checks here.
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3. Check volume, mute, and connections
- Raise the Windows volume and check that it is not muted.
- Open the volume mixer and make sure the relevant output or app is not muted there.
- Check speaker and headphone cables, including whether they are fully plugged into the correct port.
- Turn up any physical volume control on the speaker, headset, or keyboard.
These checks are especially useful when Windows shows an output device but playback is silent or unexpectedly quiet.
4. Turn audio enhancements off temporarily
Audio enhancements can interfere with playback on some systems. Microsoft notes, “Sometimes having audio enhancements on can result in audio issues.”
- Go to Settings > System > Sound.
- Select the output device that is having trouble.
- Set Audio enhancements to Off, then test the sound again.
If this does not help, you can restore the previous setting after troubleshooting.
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5. Make sure the playback device is enabled
A device can be present but disabled or not designated for playback. Open Settings > System > Sound > More sound settings, inspect the Playback tab, and open the intended device’s properties. Check that its device usage is enabled and that it is the output you want to use. Labels can vary by Windows build and audio hardware.
6. Install available Windows updates and restart
Open Settings > Windows Update, check for available updates, install them, and restart the PC. This is a reasonable next step for general audio problems and is also part of Microsoft’s guidance for issues that begin after an update. Save your work before restarting. See Microsoft’s general audio troubleshooting steps and its update-related audio guidance.
7. Update the audio driver
If the basic checks do not help, the audio driver may be outdated or unsuitable for the device.
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- Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
- Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
- Right-click the audio device and choose Update driver, then follow the prompts.
If Windows does not find a suitable driver, check the support page for your exact PC model or audio hardware. Microsoft recommends consulting the device manufacturer when a driver is not available through Windows. Driver names and availability vary by computer. Read Microsoft’s driver guidance.
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If the problem began immediately after a driver or Windows update, try rolling back the audio driver if Windows makes that option available:
- In Device Manager, expand Sound, video and game controllers.
- Right-click the audio device and choose Properties.
- On the Driver tab, choose Roll Back Driver if the button is available, then follow the prompts.
Microsoft’s update-related guidance also lists restarting the Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder services. Save open work before restarting the PC. If rollback is unavailable or these steps do not help, continue with the symptom-specific checks rather than repeatedly changing drivers. Microsoft’s update-related audio guide describes these recovery options.
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9. Choose the next check by symptom
Windows does not show the output device
A missing device is different from a visible device that is silent. Check whether the device is disabled, whether its driver is missing or outdated, and whether Windows is loading it correctly. Follow Microsoft’s guidance for missing or undetected audio output devices.
Bluetooth says connected, but there is no sound
Confirm the Bluetooth headphones or speaker are selected under Settings > System > Sound > Output. A Bluetooth connection alone does not ensure Windows is routing playback to that device. Use Microsoft’s Bluetooth audio troubleshooting guidance if selecting the output does not fix it.
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Only one app is silent
Check that app’s volume in the volume mixer and confirm it is not muted. If other system sounds work, use Microsoft’s per-app audio guidance rather than assuming the PC’s speakers or audio hardware have failed.
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Sound is low, distorted, or crackling
For low volume or distorted playback, use Microsoft’s symptom-specific instructions: low-volume or no-sound guidance and distorted or crackling audio guidance. The right fix depends on the symptom; a general no-sound checklist may not address it.
When to consider a hardware workaround
Try the software, output-selection, and driver checks before assuming the built-in audio hardware has failed. If you have reason to suspect a faulty audio port or built-in audio path, a USB audio adapter is one possible workaround: Windows can use USB-connected speakers or headphones as an output. It is not a guaranteed repair, and whether it helps depends on the device and fault.
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