By Despite its benefits, Windows occasionally behaves strangely, such as abruptly cutting out on sound. Try these simple fixes if your computer suddenly stops playing sound:
No sound in one app
- First, reboot your computer.
- Verify that the program’s volume isn’t muted or turned down. You can set the status of each tab in a browser like Firefox or Chrome by right-clicking on it. (If the option is now silent, it will indicate “Unmute tab.”) Additionally, the Volume mixer allows you to adjust a program’s volume (access it by performing a right-click on the taskbar’s speaker icon).
- Try removing and reinstalling this program if you’re still not able to hear anything from it. Make a backup of any data and/or note your existing configuration before proceeding.
No sound at all
- First, click the speaker icon in the taskbar to confirm that Windows is utilizing the correct device for speaker output. (You may not be aware that Windows occasionally switches output to a different device.) The name of the speaker that is currently in use, such as Speakers (2-Anker PowerConf), will be displayed at the top of the pop-up window. If relevant, click on that name to switch to the appropriate device. Make sure the external speakers are powered on if you plan to use them.
- Reboot your computer.
- Make that the sound is active and not muted by using the taskbar’s speaker icon.
- Make sure that the computer isn’t muted by hardware, such as a keyboard or laptop with a dedicated mute button. Play a song to test.
To access the Open Volume Mixer, right-click on the volume icon. Verify that every option is activated and switched on. - Does your laptop’s internal speaker still not function? Retest after inserting your headphones into the audio jack. In order to continue troubleshooting the internal speakers, remove the headphones if they function.
- Consider using a USB speaker or USB headphones with desktop computers that have speakers connected to the 3.5mm socket. (Or the other way around.) Remove the backup device if it functions properly to proceed with debugging the original set of speakers. (If you’re in the market for new speakers, check out our list of the top affordable computer speakers.)
- Select Open Sound settings (Windows 10) or Sound settings (Windows 11) by performing a second right-click on the volume icon. In the window that appears for Windows 10, locate Related Settings and select Sound Control Panel. In Windows 11, choose More Sound Settings after swiping down to the Advanced area of the window that appears. There will be a new, smaller window named Sound emerge for both operating systems. Verify that your audio device (probably “Speakers”) has a green checkmark next to it by clicking on the Playback tab. Next, select Properties and confirm that the Use this device (enable) option is chosen.
