Start with the basics: check volume and mute settings

Before you troubleshoot deeper, confirm that your sound is actually turned on. Look at your taskbar (the bar at the bottom of your screen on Windows, or the top-right corner on Mac) for a speaker icon. Click it to open the volume menu. If you see a muted speaker symbol or a line through the speaker, click to unmute. Slide the volume bar all the way up to test.

Next, check the physical volume buttons on your keyboard or monitor. Many keyboards have dedicated volume keys—usually marked with speaker symbols—that can mute sound without changing the software setting. Press the unmute key if one exists. If you're using external speakers or headphones, check their individual power switches and volume knobs as well.

Open a video or music player and try to play something. If you hear sound now, the problem was mute or low volume. If not, move to the next section.

Key Takeaways

  • Mute and volume controls exist in three places: your taskbar, your keyboard, and your physical speakers or headphones—check all three before assuming a deeper problem.
  • Windows and Mac both have separate volume controls for system sounds, apps, and individual programs, so one app can be muted while others play.
  • Restarting your computer fixes most sound problems because it reloads audio drivers and clears temporary software conflicts.
  • If sound works in one app but not another, the problem is usually that app's own settings, not your computer's audio system.
  • Updating or reinstalling audio drivers is the most common fix for persistent sound loss across all programs.

Check whether the problem is system-wide or just one app

Open a different program and try to play sound there. If you hear audio in a web browser but not in a video game, or vice versa, the problem is not your computer's main audio system—it is that specific program's settings. Check that app's preferences or settings menu for a mute toggle or volume slider. Some apps also have their own audio output device selector, which may be pointed at the wrong speaker or headphone jack.

If sound works nowhere on your computer, continue to the next section. If sound works in some apps but not others, look in each silent app's settings for audio controls before doing anything else.

Restart your computer

Restart your computer completely. This step fixes the majority of sound problems because it reloads your audio drivers and clears temporary software conflicts. Save any open work, then shut down fully (not sleep mode). Wait 10 seconds, then turn the computer back on and wait for it to finish loading. Try playing sound again.

If sound returns after restart, you are done. If not, the problem is likely a driver issue or a hardware connection problem.

Check your audio device connections and settings

On Windows, right-click the speaker icon in your taskbar and select "Open Volume mixer" or "Sound settings." Look for a section called "Output" or "Playback devices." You should see your speakers or headphones listed. If your headphones are plugged in but not showing, unplug them, wait 5 seconds, and plug them back in. Windows should detect them automatically.

On Mac, click the Apple menu, go to "System Settings," then "Sound," and check the "Output" tab. Make sure your intended speaker or headphone device is selected (it will have a checkmark or be highlighted). If you do not see your device listed, unplug and replug it.

If you see a red X or warning symbol next to your audio device on Windows, right-click it and select "Enable." Try playing sound again. If the device still shows as disabled or unavailable, move to the driver update section.

Update or reinstall your audio drivers

On Windows: Right-click the Start button and select "Device Manager." Expand the "Sound, video and game controllers" section. Right-click your audio device (usually named something like "Realtek High Definition Audio" or "Intel Audio") and select "Update driver." Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software." Windows will search online and install any available updates. Restart your computer when finished.

If updating does not work, right-click the same device and select "Uninstall device." Restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver on startup. This often fixes corrupted driver files.

On Mac: Audio drivers are built into the operating system and cannot be updated separately. If sound is not working after restart, go to "System Settings," then "General," then "Software Update" and install any available macOS updates. Restart when prompted. If sound still does not work, restart your Mac again—sometimes the audio system needs a second restart to fully reset.

Test with headphones or different speakers

If you have access to headphones or a different speaker, plug them in and test. If sound works through the new device but not your original one, the problem is with that original device, not your computer. Check its power switch, volume knob, and cable connections. If the cable is loose or damaged, replace it.

If sound does not work through any device, the problem is your computer's audio system itself. Go back to the device manager section above and confirm your audio device is enabled and up to date. If it still shows an error, your audio hardware may be failing and may need professional repair.

Adjust app-specific audio settings

Some programs have their own audio output selector buried in preferences. Open the app that has no sound, go to its settings or preferences menu (usually under Edit, Preferences, or a gear icon), and search for "Audio," "Sound," or "Output." Make sure the correct speaker or headphone device is selected. Some apps default to a device that is no longer connected, which silences them even though system sound works elsewhere.

Video conferencing apps like Zoom, Teams, or Discord often have separate audio settings. Open the app, look for Settings, and check both the microphone and speaker selections. Make sure the speaker device is not set to "None" or a disconnected device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is sound working in some apps but not others?

Each app can have its own audio output device selected in its settings. One app might be pointed at your speakers while another is pointed at a headphone jack that is no longer plugged in. Check that app's settings menu for an audio or sound section and confirm the correct device is selected.

My headphones are plugged in but my computer still uses the speakers. How do I fix this?

On Windows, right-click the speaker icon and open Sound settings. Under Output, select your headphones from the list. On Mac, go to System Settings, Sound, Output, and select your headphones. Your computer should remember this choice next time you plug them in.

I updated my audio driver but sound is still not working. What should I try next?

Uninstall the driver completely through Device Manager, restart your computer, and let Windows reinstall it automatically. If that does not work, restart again—sometimes the audio system needs two restarts to fully reset. If sound still does not return, your audio hardware may need professional service.

Can I fix sound problems without restarting?

You can try: unmuting in the taskbar, checking app-specific settings, and plugging in different speakers or headphones. But a full restart fixes the majority of sound problems because it reloads drivers and clears software conflicts. If those quick steps do not work, restart before trying anything else.

My computer has no sound at all, and I have tried everything above. What now?

Check Device Manager to see if your audio device shows an error symbol or is listed as "Unknown Device." If it does, your audio driver is corrupted or your audio hardware is failing. Try uninstalling and restarting once more. If the device still shows an error after restart, your audio hardware likely needs professional repair.