No Sound At All
Beginner
Sound & Audio
Applies to: Windows 10, Windows 11
Sound & Audio
Applies to: Windows 10, Windows 11
Speaker icon shows normal, volume is up, but nothing plays.
Before you start: save any open work and note down what you were doing when the problem started — that context helps if you need to search further or ask for help.
- Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and confirm the correct output device is selected — it's common to accidentally be set to a monitor or unplugged headset.
- Check physical connections: speaker/headphone cable fully seated, or Bluetooth device actually paired and connected (not just powered on).
- Run the built-in audio troubleshooter: Settings > System > Sound > Troubleshoot common sound problems.
- Update the audio driver via Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers.
- Restart the Windows Audio service: open Services (services.msc), find "Windows Audio," right-click, and Restart.
Still not fixed? Send us the details and we'll help you dig further, or browse related guides in Sound & Audio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does sound work in some apps but not others?
This usually means the default output device or an app-specific volume setting is the issue, not a hardware fault — check Settings > System > Sound > Volume mixer for individual app volume levels that may have been muted.
Could a Windows Update really disable my sound?
Yes — a Windows Update occasionally resets the default audio device or affects the audio driver, which is why checking the correct output device is selected is one of the first things worth trying.