Start with the simplest checks first
If your PC produces no sound, the problem is usually one of four things: the speakers are muted, the volume is turned all the way down, the wrong audio device is selected, or a cable is loose. Before you dig into settings, spend two minutes on these physical checks.
Look at your speakers or headphones. If they have a physical mute button, press it. Check the volume knob or dial on the speaker itself — turn it up past the halfway point. If you are using headphones, make sure they are plugged all the way into the jack. If you are using external speakers, check that the power cable is connected and the power switch is on. Many speakers have an LED that lights up when powered; if you see no light, the speaker is off.
Next, look at your keyboard. Most keyboards have volume keys (usually marked with speaker symbols) along the top row. Press the volume up key several times. On laptops, this is often Fn + the volume key. If you see a volume indicator pop up on your screen, the audio system is responding — which means the problem is just that the volume is set low.
Key Takeaways
- Check the physical mute button on your speakers or headphones, and turn the volume knob up past halfway before changing any settings.
- Windows and Mac both have a master volume control in the system tray (bottom right on Windows, top right on Mac) that can be muted or turned down without you realizing it.
- If you have multiple audio devices connected, your PC may be sending sound to headphones or a different speaker instead of the one you are listening to.
- Restarting your PC fixes most audio driver problems and takes less time than troubleshooting settings.
- If sound works in one app but not another, the problem is usually that app's own volume control or audio settings, not your PC.
Check the Windows volume mixer and audio device selection
On Windows, the master volume control lives in the system tray at the bottom right of your screen. Look for a speaker icon. Click it. A volume slider should appear. If the slider is all the way to the left, drag it to the right. If there is a mute icon (usually an X through the speaker), click it to unmute.
If the volume is already up and unmuted, the next step is to check which audio device Windows is using. Right-click the speaker icon in the system tray and select Open Volume Mixer or Sound Settings (the exact name depends on your Windows version). Look for a section labeled Output or Playback Devices. You will see a list of devices — speakers, headphones, HDMI outputs, and so on. Make sure the device you want to use has a checkmark or is highlighted as the default. If your headphones are listed but not selected, click on them and choose Set as Default.
If you see a device you do not recognize or do not use, it may be set as the default by mistake. For example, if you have an HDMI cable plugged into your monitor, Windows might be sending all sound to the monitor instead of your speakers. Select the correct device and set it as default.
Check the Mac audio output settings
On a Mac, click the speaker icon in the menu bar at the top right of the screen. A dropdown menu appears showing the current volume and a list of output devices. If the volume is at zero, drag the slider to the right. If Mute has a checkmark next to it, click it to unmute.
Below the volume slider, you will see Select an audio output device. Look at which device is currently selected. If you are using external speakers or headphones, make sure they appear in this list and are selected. If you see an unfamiliar device at the top of the list, that is probably where your Mac is sending sound — click on the device you actually want to use.
If your headphones or speakers do not appear in the list at all, they may not be connected properly or may not be powered on. Disconnect and reconnect them, or power them on and wait a few seconds for your Mac to detect them.
Restart your PC and update audio drivers
A restart fixes most audio problems because it resets the audio driver — the software that controls your speakers. Restart your PC completely (not just sleep mode). Wait for it to boot back up, then test the sound again.
If sound still does not work after a restart, the audio driver may be outdated or corrupted. On Windows, right-click the Start button and select Device Manager. Look for a section called Sound, video and game controllers and click the arrow to expand it. You should see your audio device listed (often something like "Realtek Audio" or "High Definition Audio Device"). Right-click it and select Update driver. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows will search for and install the latest version.
On a Mac, audio drivers are built into the operating system and update automatically when you install system updates. If you have not updated your Mac in a while, go to System Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates.
Test sound in different apps and check individual app settings
If your PC has sound in some apps but not others, the problem is usually that specific app's own audio settings, not your PC. Open a web browser and go to a site with video or music — YouTube works well. Try to play something. If sound works there, your PC audio is fine and the problem is with the app that had no sound.
Open the app that had no sound and look for a settings or preferences menu. Many apps have their own volume control or audio device selection separate from your PC's system settings. For example, Discord has a volume slider and an audio device dropdown in its settings. Zoom has audio settings in its preferences. Check that the app is not muted and that it is set to use the correct audio device.
If an app is set to use a device that no longer exists (for example, you unplugged a USB headset), the app may produce no sound. Change the app's audio device setting to match your PC's default output device.
Check for hardware problems and when to call for help
If you have gone through all the steps above and still hear nothing, the problem may be a loose cable, a failed speaker, or a hardware failure in your PC's audio system. Unplug your speakers or headphones and plug them back in firmly. If you are using a USB audio device, try a different USB port. If you are using headphones with a 3.5mm jack, make sure it is pushed all the way into the jack until you feel it click.
Try a different audio device if you have one available — borrow a speaker or pair of headphones from someone else and plug it in. If that device produces sound, your original speaker or headphones is broken. If the borrowed device also produces no sound, the problem is your PC's audio hardware.
At this point, you should contact the manufacturer of your PC or take it to a repair shop. Audio hardware failure is not something you can fix yourself, and it usually requires replacing the audio card or motherboard. If your PC is still under warranty, contact the manufacturer first — they may repair it for free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my PC have sound in headphones but not speakers?
Your PC is probably set to output sound to the headphones by default. Unplug the headphones and go to your sound settings (Volume Mixer on Windows, the speaker icon on Mac). Select your speakers as the default output device. Plug the headphones back in — they should now work as a secondary device, and sound will go to the speakers when they are unplugged.
I see a red X on the speaker icon in my system tray. What does that mean?
A red X means Windows has detected a problem with your audio device. Right-click the speaker icon and open Sound Settings. Look for any error messages or warnings. Often Windows will suggest a fix automatically. If not, restart your PC. If the X persists, your audio driver may need to be reinstalled — go to Device Manager and uninstall the audio device, then restart. Windows will reinstall the driver automatically.
My PC has sound, but it is very quiet even though the volume is turned all the way up.
Check the volume control on your speaker itself — it may have its own separate dial or knob. Also check that you are not using a headphone jack splitter or extension cable, which can reduce volume. If neither of those is the problem, your speakers may be failing or your PC's audio output may be damaged. Try a different speaker to confirm.
Sound stopped working after I plugged in a new USB device. What happened?
Some USB devices (like webcams or audio interfaces) automatically become the default audio output when you plug them in. Go to your sound settings and change the default output device back to your speakers or headphones. If you do not want the USB device to take over audio in the future, you can disable it in Device Manager or uninstall its driver.
Do I need to buy new speakers if my PC has no sound?
Not necessarily. Most no-sound problems are settings or driver issues, which are free to fix. Before you buy anything, work through the steps in this guide — restart your PC, check your volume settings, and update your audio driver. Only if you have tried all of those and sound still does not work should you consider that your hardware may be broken.