No sound on your computer: how to fix it

When a computer goes silent, the cause is usually the output it has selected. Check that first, then work down the list.

Last reviewed on November 1, 2026

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Sound Test
Tones, left/right, and a full-range sweep — no download
Set your volume to a comfortable mid-level, then press the quick sound test.

First, test your sound

Press Run the quick sound test above. It plays a lower tone on the left, then a higher tone on the right. The result tells you where to go next.

ResultWhat it meansGo to
You hear nothingThe problem is in the computer or the output pathChecks for every computer
You hear the test, but not another site or appYour computer is fine; that app is the problemOne app or site
You hear only one sideBalance setting, cable, or a dead speakerSpeaker test
Sound is crackly or distortedVolume too high, or a driver or connection issueSpeaker test

Checks for every computer

  1. Check the mute key and system volume. Keyboards often have a mute key that is easy to press by accident.
  2. Check the selected output. A monitor, dock, or Bluetooth speaker can silently become the default output. This is the most common cause.
  3. Disconnect Bluetooth. Turn Bluetooth off briefly. If sound returns on the built-in speakers, it was being sent to a paired device.
  4. Check the tab. Right-click the browser tab to see whether the site is muted.
  5. Check the speakers. Desktop speakers need power and have their own volume control. Reseat the cable at both ends.
  6. Try headphones. If headphones work and speakers do not, the computer is fine and the fault is in the speakers or their connection.
  7. Restart the computer. This clears a stuck audio session, and it is worth doing before you change drivers.

Fix no sound on Windows 11 and 10

Choose the right output

  1. Open Settings → System → Sound.
  2. Under Output, select the device you want to use.
  3. Check its volume and confirm it is not muted.

Check the volume mixer

Windows keeps a separate volume for each app, so your browser can be muted while everything else plays. Right-click the speaker icon, open Volume mixer, and check the app you are using.

Run the audio troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in troubleshooter for playback. In Windows 11, search for Troubleshoot settings, open Other troubleshooters, and run the audio option. Its location can vary between versions.

Restart the audio services

  1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
  2. Find Windows Audio, right-click it, and choose Restart.

Reinstall the audio driver

  1. Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
  2. Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
  3. Right-click your audio device, choose Uninstall device, then restart. Windows usually reinstalls it.

If that does not help, get the audio driver from your computer maker's support site. Avoid third-party driver updater tools.

Fix no sound on a Mac

Choose the right output

  1. Open System Settings → Sound.
  2. Under Output, select the device you want.
  3. Move the output volume up and confirm Mute is off.

Hold Option and click the sound icon in the menu bar for a quicker device list, if you have that icon enabled.

Check for AirPlay and Bluetooth

Sound may be going to an Apple TV, AirPods, or another nearby device. Pick your built-in speakers from the output list and try again.

Restart Core Audio

Open Terminal and run sudo killall coreaudiod. macOS restarts the process automatically. Audio cuts out for a moment, and open apps may need a restart.

Sound missing in only one app or site

When to suspect hardware

Suspect hardware if headphones and an external speaker both stay silent on two different outputs, after a restart and a driver reinstall. Try a USB audio adapter or Bluetooth headphones: if either works, the built-in audio or the jack may be faulty. If only the laptop speakers are silent, the speakers themselves may have failed.

Frequently asked questions

Why is there no sound on my computer?

The most common cause is the wrong output device, such as a monitor or Bluetooth speaker. After that, check mute, per-app volume, cables, and the audio driver.

How do I test if my computer sound is working?

Press the quick sound test on this page. Hearing tones from both sides confirms that your computer can play audio. If you hear them here but not elsewhere, the fault is in that app.

Why did my sound stop after connecting a monitor?

Monitors and TVs connected by HDMI or DisplayPort appear as audio outputs and can become the default. Reselect your speakers in sound settings.

Why do my headphones work but not my speakers?

This shows the computer is producing audio. The fault is in the speakers, their power, their cable, or the selected output.

Do I need to reinstall my audio driver?

Only after checking the output device, mute, per-app volume, and cables. Uninstalling the device in Device Manager and restarting is usually enough on Windows. Macs do not need a separate audio driver.

Keep reading

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