No Sound on Windows 11 How to Fix It

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No Sound on Windows 11: How to Fix It

No sound at all, or sound from the wrong device, is one of the most common Windows problems, and usually one of the easiest to fix. Most cases come down to Windows sending audio to the wrong output, something being muted, or the audio driver needing a reset.

Work through these in order and test with a video or music after each step.

Fix 1: Check the Obvious (Quickly)

Check the speakers are powered on, the volume knob is up, and the cable is in the right socket (usually green for speakers or headphones).
Press the keyboard's volume-up or mute key; many laptops mute with an Fn key.
Try different headphones or speakers to rule out a faulty device.
If the sound is missing in one app only, check that app's own volume and mute setting.

Fix 2: Choose the Right Output Device

Windows sends sound to one device at a time, and it can switch to a monitor, a headset or a Bluetooth device you forgot about.

Click the speaker icon on the taskbar to open Quick Settings.
Click the arrow (>) next to the volume slider.
Pick the speakers or headphones you want.

Or open Settings > System > Sound, and under Output choose the device. If you use an HDMI or DisplayPort monitor or TV, remember its speakers appear as a separate device; choose it only if you want sound from the screen.

Fix 3: Check the Volume Mixer

Right-click the speaker icon and choose Open volume mixer (or go to Settings > System > Sound > Volume mixer).
Make sure the system volume and the app you're using aren't at zero or muted.
Check each app's Output device here is set to Default or the device you want.

Fix 4: Restart the PC

Restart properly with Start > Power > Restart. This reloads the audio driver and services and fixes many sudden sound failures.

Fix 5: Run the Audio Troubleshooter

Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, and click Run next to Audio. On current Windows 11 versions this opens the Get Help app, which checks the audio services, the device and common settings, and offers fixes. Follow its prompts.

Fix 6: Turn Off Audio Enhancements and Spatial Sound

Enhancements and effects from Windows or the sound card's software can cause silence or crackling.

Open Settings > System > Sound, and select your output device under Output.
Set Audio enhancements to Off.
Set Spatial audio (or Spatial sound) to Off.
Test again.

On the same page, the Format list sets the sample rate. If sound stopped after changing it, try a common setting such as 24 bit, 48000 Hz.

Fix 7: Restart the Windows Audio Services

Press Windows + R, type services.msc and press Enter.
Find Windows Audio, right-click it and choose Restart. If it isn't running, choose Start.
Do the same for Windows Audio Endpoint Builder.
Both should have Startup type set to Automatic.

Fix 8: Reinstall or Roll Back the Audio Driver

Right-click the Start button and choose Device Manager.
Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
If the problem started after an update, right-click your audio device (often named Realtek, Intel, AMD or similar), choose Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver. The button is greyed out if no older driver is stored.
Otherwise right-click the device and choose Uninstall device (leave the driver-deletion box unticked), then restart. Windows reinstalls it.
If there's no audio device at all, click Action > Scan for hardware changes. A device with a down-arrow icon is disabled: right-click and choose Enable device.

If sound still fails, download the audio driver for your exact model from the PC or motherboard maker's support page. Avoid driver-updater programs.

Fix 9: Bluetooth and USB Headsets

Bluetooth: remove the headset in Settings > Bluetooth & devices, pair it again, then choose it as the output (Fix 2). If Bluetooth itself is missing, see Bluetooth disappeared from Windows.
USB headsets: try another USB port, and plug straight into the PC rather than a hub. If ports don't respond at all, see USB ports not working.

Fix 10: Install Updates or Use System Restore

Open Settings > Windows Update, install everything (including Advanced options > Optional updates if audio drivers are offered) and restart. If sound broke after installing a program or driver, System Restore (press Windows + R, type rstrui) can return the PC to an earlier point without touching your documents; apps installed since then will need reinstalling.

Still No Sound?

If there's no sound in any device, including known-good headphones, after all of the above, the audio hardware may be faulty. A cheap USB sound adapter or USB headset is a quick way to confirm before paying for a repair.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why is there no sound after a Windows update?

An update can change the default output device or install a different audio driver. Check the output device in Settings > System > Sound first, then roll back the audio driver in Device Manager if the problem started with the update.

What does 'No audio output device is installed' mean?

Windows can't see a working sound device. Usually the audio driver failed or the device is disabled. Scan for hardware changes in Device Manager, reinstall the driver, or install the driver from your PC maker.

Why do I get sound in headphones but not speakers?

Windows is sending sound to one device at a time. Choose the speakers in Settings > System > Sound > Output, or from the arrow next to the volume slider in Quick Settings.

Is it safe to uninstall the audio driver?

Yes. Leave the box that deletes the driver software unticked and restart; Windows reinstalls a driver automatically.