Ultimate Guide: Troubleshooting Sound Issues in Windows 10

Key Takeaways

Verify that your audio isn't muted in Windows, that any physical mute switches aren't enabled, and check app settings for audio issues.

Ensure that the output device is selected correctly, either from the taskbar or Control Panel.

Attempt to resolve the issue by running the Windows Audio Troubleshooter, restarting audio services, disabling audio enhancements, and altering the audio format. If none of these options work, consider updating or reinstalling your audio driver, or carrying out a system restore.

You launch a PC game or stream a movie, but you don't hear any sound. On the surface, there's no apparent reason for the lack of audio. Unfortunately, sound issues can be tricky. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can try to fix your issue.

Make Sure Your Audio Isn't Muted

Make sure to check if the PC sound is muted before embarrassing yourself by shouting at it due to unintentionally pressing the mute button on the microphone. If your keyboard has volume controls, try pressing a key or adjusting a slider to see if the on-screen volume bar responds. Alternatively, you can bring up the taskbar and look for the "speaker" icon located next to the system clock.

As shown below, an "X" next to the virtual speaker icon means your audio is muted. Simply click the speaker button to expand the volume panel.

Next, click the speaker icon to the left of the slider to unmute.

Please ensure that the sound on the hardware end is not muted or set at a low volume level. For example, check if your speakers have volume buttons or if they have been accidentally disconnected from the computer or power source.

Similarly, check if your headset or microphone has in-line volume controls that might be turned down, or if they have been unintentionally disconnected from the computer.

The following illustration showcases a typical toggle switch commonly found on headphones. Although this particular one pertains to the microphone feature on certain models, the fundamental design remains consistent across most headphones. It's worth mentioning that a few variations of these headphones may also include a volume control option.

Austin Flamm/How-To Geek

One potential solution is to check if the issue is specific to a particular app or program installed on your computer. It is possible that the app or program itself has a problem that requires an update or that the audio settings within it are turned down or muted.

This illustration demonstrates an instance of audio being muted while using YouTube.

Other fixes you can try include installing all Windows 10 updates or restarting your PC.

Verify the Default Audio Device If You Can't Hear Sound

Ideally, it is recommended to have only one audio device installed. Nonetheless, the list grows when external devices such as the HTC Vive, a wireless Xbox controller, and a headset are added.

Occasionally, you may encounter situations where you switch from using a headset to the built-in speakers of a laptop. However, even in these cases, Windows 10 continues to output audio through the previously disconnected headset.

You can verify the default audio device in one of two ways: from the taskbar or through the Control Panel.

The Taskbar Route

Click on the "speaker" icon located next to the system clock to access the volume settings. A name will be displayed above the volume pop-up panel. Click on this name to reveal a pop-up list labeled "Select Playback Device." From the list, choose a different audio device until you hear a sound.

If none of those work, move on to the "Run the Troubleshooter" step.

The Control Panel Route

Hit the Windows key, search for "Control Panel" in the taskbar's search field, and click on the Control Panel desktop app in the search results. Then, click on "Hardware and Sound" from the main menu of the Control Panel and select "Sound" on the following panel.

The Sound pop-up window will be displayed on your screen. Ensure that your audio device is set as the default option. If it is not, simply click once on the device listing to select it, and then click the "Set Default" button. Finally, click the "OK" button to complete the process.

Run the Windows Audio Troubleshooter

Windows 10 offers a built-in troubleshooter that scans the system and offers potential fixes for audio issues.

Press the Windows key and type "Find and Fix Problems with Playing Sound" in the search field of the Start Menu. Then, select "Find and Fix Problems with Playing Sound" from the search results. This action will open a troubleshooter in the Control Panel.

To access this troubleshooter, simply navigate to Start > Settings > System > Sound > Troubleshoot. Once the troubleshooter scans for audio devices, choose the specific device you wish to troubleshoot and click on the "Next" button.

Windows 10 scans for issues. Follow any available directions to resolve your audio problems.

Reboot the Audio Services to Fix Audio Problems

Tap the Windows key, type "Services" in the taskbar's search field, and select the Services desktop app in the results.

In the Services window, you'll need to restart three services:

Remote Procedure Call (RPC)

Windows Audio

Windows Audio Endpoint Builder

To select a service, simply single-click on it. Then, right-click to open the menu for that service and choose the "Restart" option. If the "Restart" option is not available, you can try using the "Refresh" option instead.

Turn Off Audio Enhancements

The audio hardware vendors and Microsoft have introduced these "enhancements" with the goal of ensuring the utmost user experience. Nonetheless, these enhancements might actually be the root cause of the problem.

To access the Control Panel, simply type "Control Panel" in the search field located on the taskbar and choose the corresponding Control Panel desktop app from the search results.

Select "Hardware and Sound" on the main Control Panel menu, followed by "Sound" on the next panel.

Select your audio device listed under the "Playback" tab and right-click to open a menu. Select the "Properties" option at the bottom.

To access the Speakers / Headphones Properties window, simply click on the "Enhancements" tab. Here, you will find an option labeled "Disable All Sound Effects" (or "Disable All Enhancements"). Make sure to check the corresponding box and finalize the adjustment by selecting the "OK" button.

If the provided solution does not solve the issue, it is possible that the default audio device is not properly set. To rectify this, follow the instructions below to access the Control Panel and set the audio device as default. If the problem persists even after following these steps, proceed to the next step.

Change Audio Format To Fix Audio Problems

Select "Hardware and Sound" on the main Control Panel menu, followed by "Sound" on the next panel.

Select your audio device listed under the Playback tab and right-click to open a menu. Select the "Properties" option at the bottom.

When the Speakers / Headphones Properties window is displayed, navigate to the "Advanced" tab. In the "Default Format" section, you will find a drop-down menu. Choose a different format from the menu and click the "Test" button to verify if the new format is functioning correctly. If it does, proceed to click the "Apply" button, followed by the "OK" button.

If changing the audio format doesn't work, move on to updating your audio driver.

Update Your Audio Driver

You have two options for updating your audio driver. Some pre-built PCs, such as those from Dell, HP, and other brands, come with a "command center" application that scans your device and installs any available driver updates.

To illustrate, Alienware PCs come with SupportAssist, which scans for outdated drivers and hardware issues, among other things. Use these applications to check for driver updates.

An alternative method is to manually update the driver through Device Manager. To get started, right-click on the Start button and choose "Device Manager" from the pop-up menu.

Expand the "Sound, video, and game controllers" entry to view a list of all available audio devices. Click on your primary device, which in this case is Realtek Audio, and then right-click to access a pop-up menu. Choose the "Update Driver" option.

Select "Search Automatically for Updated Driver Software" in the following window.

You also have the option of searching for updated drivers on the sound card manufacturer's website and downloading them to your computer. In this case, select the "Browse My Computer for Driver Software" option and specify the location where you saved the downloaded files. Let Windows 10 handle the rest.

To install compatible drivers from a list, rather than specifying a download location, select the "Let Me Pick from a List of Available Drivers on My Computer" option.

Make sure the "Show compatible hardware" box is checked and select one of the listed drivers in the following window. Click the "Next" button to finish.

Uninstall and Reinstall Your Audio Device

Remove your audio device altogether and let Windows 10 detect and reinstall the appropriate driver.

Right-click on the Start button and then select "Device Manager" on the context menu.

When Device Manager is displayed on your screen, locate and expand the "Sound, Video, and Game Controllers" section. Single-click on your main device — in this instance, Realtek Audio — and right-click to open a pop-up menu. Choose the "Uninstall Device" option and restart your PC.

After restarting your computer, Windows 10 will automatically reinstall the suitable audio driver. To confirm this, go back to the Device Manager and verify if your audio device is listed under "Sound, Video, and Game Controllers."

If it's not there, single-click to select the category followed by a right-click to open a pop-up menu. Select the menu's "Scan for Hardware Changes" option.

If your audio device still doesn't appear, you likely have hardware issues a driver update/refresh can't address.

Disable Your Onboard Audio Card

If you have a dedicated sound card connected to your PC through USB or PCIe, you might be able to resolve certain audio problems by disabling the built-in audio card in the BIOS (UEFI). The process may vary considerably depending on the manufacturer, so we cannot offer specific steps. However, the motherboard manual should provide guidance in this regard.

If the manual does not offer assistance, you can likely find instructions specific to your motherboard posted online by someone else who has encountered the same issue.

Test Your Headphones, Earbuds, or Speakers in Another Device

If you're experiencing audio issues, it is likely a software problem on your PC. However, there is a possibility that the problem lies in your headphones, earbuds, or speakers. To troubleshoot, connect your wired headphones or speakers to another device and check if they function properly. In case you don't have an aux port on another device, try gently moving the wires - if there are any damages, you may hear crackling or popping sounds.

Troubleshooting wireless audio devices, such as wireless earbuds, a Bluetooth speaker, or wireless headphones, can be challenging. To begin, try connecting them to a different device to assess their functionality. If they still do not work, it is advisable to check if they have a factory reset function.

In case your output device is problematic, you can consider attempting a repair. Some headphones offer the convenience of replacing a broken cable, and even those without this feature can be relatively simple to fix if you are comfortable with soldering. However, repairing wireless audio devices manually is much more difficult, and it is often more practical to purchase new ones instead.

Perform a System Restore

Lastly, if all else fails, hope that Windows 10 created a restore point before your sound issues began.

Type "Restore" in the taskbar's search field and select "Create a Restore Point" in the results.

Click the "System Restore" button on the following System Properties window to launch the service.

A System Restore window appears on the screen. Click the "Next" button to continue. In subsequent step, click the box next to "Show More Restore Points."

Select a restore point that is dated prior to when you started encountering audio problems. Proceed by clicking the "Next" button, followed by the "Finish" button, and Windows 10 will initiate the restoration process for your PC.