Start with the simplest checks first

Before you troubleshoot software or drivers, check three physical things: whether your speakers or headphones are plugged in or charged, whether the volume is actually turned up, and whether the mute button is on. On Windows, look at the bottom right corner of your screen for a speaker icon — if it has a line through it, your system is muted. On Mac, the same icon appears in the top right. Click it and drag the slider up. If you are using external speakers, check that they are powered on and that the cable runs from your computer's audio jack or USB port.

If you use headphones, unplug them and plug them back in. Sometimes a loose connection or dirt in the jack stops sound from reaching them. The same applies to USB headsets — disconnect and reconnect them. If you have Bluetooth headphones, turn them off and on again, then re-pair them with your computer if the sound does not return.

Key Takeaways

  • Check that your speakers or headphones are plugged in, powered on, and not muted before you change any settings.
  • Windows and Mac both have a mute button in the system tray that can silence your entire computer even when app volume is turned up.
  • If sound works in some apps but not others, the problem is usually that app's own volume control or audio output setting, not your computer.
  • Updating or reinstalling audio drivers on Windows often fixes sound that stopped working after a system update.
  • If no sound comes from any app and all physical checks pass, restart your computer — this fixes the majority of sound problems that are not hardware failures.

Check the volume in the app you are using

Many apps have their own volume control separate from your system volume. If you have sound in some programs but not others, the silent app probably has its volume turned down or muted. Look for a speaker icon or volume slider inside the app itself. In web browsers, right-click on the tab and look for a mute option. In video players like YouTube or Netflix, the volume control is usually in the bottom corner of the video window.

Some apps also let you choose which audio device to use — speakers, headphones, or an external device. Open the app's settings or preferences and search for "audio" or "output device". If the app is set to output to a device you are not using, switch it back to your speakers or headphones.

Restart your computer

Restart your computer completely. This closes all apps and resets the audio system without changing any settings. Shut down, wait ten seconds, then turn it back on. Many sound problems that are not caused by broken hardware go away after a restart because the audio driver or system service has stopped responding.

On Windows, click the Start menu, select Power, and choose Restart. On Mac, click the Apple menu, select Shut Down, wait, then turn the computer back on by pressing the power button.

Update or reinstall audio drivers on Windows

Audio drivers are the software that lets Windows talk to your sound card or audio device. If sound stopped working after a Windows update, the driver may be outdated or broken. Open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Device Manager. Look for "Sound, video and game controllers" and click the arrow to expand it. Right-click on your audio device — usually called "Realtek High Definition Audio" or "Intel Smart Sound Technology" — and select "Update driver".

Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software". Windows will search online and install a newer version if one exists. If that does not work, right-click the same device again and select "Uninstall device". Restart your computer. Windows will reinstall the driver automatically when it boots up, which often fixes corrupted drivers that an update alone cannot repair.

If you know the manufacturer of your sound card, you can also visit their website directly and read the latest driver. Realtek, Intel, and Nvidia all publish drivers for their audio hardware. read the driver for your exact model and Windows version, run the installer, and restart.

Check audio settings on Mac

On Mac, click the Apple menu and select System Settings. Go to Sound. Under Output, make sure the correct device is selected — Internal Speakers if you want sound from your Mac's built-in speakers, or the name of your headphones or external speakers if you are using those. If the wrong device is listed, click it to switch.

Check that the Output Volume slider is not all the way down. If an app is not producing sound, open that app's preferences and look for an audio or sound section. Some apps route audio through a different output device or have their own volume control that overrides the system setting.

Test your audio with a straightforward sound file

Open a web browser and go to a site that plays sound — YouTube, Spotify, or a news site with video. Try to play something. If you hear sound, your computer's audio system is working and the problem is with a specific app. If you hear nothing, the problem is system-wide.

On Windows, you can also test sound through the Sound settings. Right-click the speaker icon in the system tray, select "Open Sound settings", scroll down to Advanced, and click "Volume mixer". Look for any app that shows a red muted icon and click it to unmute. You can also test your speakers by clicking the blue play button next to "Test your speakers".

Check for hardware damage or loose connections

If you have tried all the steps above and still hear no sound, the problem may be physical. Look at the audio jack on your computer — if it is bent, cracked, or visibly damaged, the jack itself may need repair. Try plugging your headphones or speakers into a different USB port if you are using USB audio. USB ports can fail, and moving to another port sometimes restores sound.

If you use external speakers, check that the audio cable is fully inserted into both the speaker and your computer. Wiggle the cable gently — sometimes a loose connection looks fine but does not make full contact. If the speakers have a power cable, make sure it is plugged in and the power switch is on.

If sound works through headphones but not through your computer's built-in speakers, the internal speaker may be broken. If sound works through speakers but not headphones, the headphone jack may be damaged. In either case, the hardware itself needs repair or replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my computer have sound in some apps but not others?

The app that is silent probably has its own volume control turned down or muted, or it is set to output to a different audio device. Check the app's settings for an audio or sound section and look for a volume slider or output device option. You can also right-click the app's tab in your browser and select mute to see if that is the issue.

How do I know if my audio driver is broken?

If sound stopped working after a Windows update, or if Device Manager shows a yellow warning icon next to your audio device, the driver is likely broken. Uninstalling and reinstalling the driver usually fixes this. If you see a red X instead of a yellow warning, the device may be disabled — right-click it and select "Enable device".

Can I fix sound problems without restarting?

You can try closing all apps and opening just one to test if sound works. You can also unplug and replug your headphones or speakers. But if those steps do not work, a restart is the next step because it resets the audio system without changing settings. Most sound problems that are not hardware failures go away after a restart.

What if my headphones work but my speakers do not?

Check that your speakers are powered on and plugged in. Then go to your sound settings and make sure speakers are selected as the output device, not headphones. On Windows, right-click the speaker icon and select "Open Sound settings". On Mac, go to System Settings and click Sound. If speakers are selected but still silent, try a different audio cable or USB port.

Should I reinstall Windows if sound does not work?

No. Reinstalling Windows is a last resort and should only happen after you have restarted, updated drivers, checked all physical connections, and tested with a different app. Most sound problems are fixed by one of those steps. Reinstalling Windows erases your files and takes hours, so try everything else first.