Start with the volume controls you can see

Before you dig into settings, check the physical controls first. Look at your keyboard for volume keys — usually marked with speaker symbols — and press them to raise the volume. If your keyboard has no volume keys, look for a small speaker icon in your system tray (bottom right on Windows, top right on Mac) and click it to see if the volume slider is turned all the way down.

On Windows, right-click the speaker icon in the system tray and select "Open Volume mixer" to see if individual apps have their own volume controls turned off. Some programs mute themselves independently of your system volume. On Mac, go to System Settings, then Sound, and check that the output volume slider is not at zero and that no app is set to mute.

If you see a mute button (usually marked with a speaker and a line through it), click it to unmute. Many computers mute audio when you connect headphones, so unplug any headphones or external speakers and check again.

Key Takeaways

  • Check your keyboard volume keys and the system volume slider in your system tray before assuming hardware is broken.
  • Windows and Mac both have per-app volume controls that can silence one program while others play sound normally.
  • Unplugging headphones or external speakers often restores sound to your main speakers because the system switches outputs automatically.
  • If you see a yellow exclamation mark on your audio device in Device Manager (Windows) or System Report (Mac), your audio driver needs reinstalling.
  • Restarting your computer fixes most sound problems and takes less time than troubleshooting settings.

Check which device your computer is trying to use

Your computer may have sound but be sending it to the wrong place. On Windows, right-click the speaker icon and choose "Open Volume mixer." Look for "Advanced" or "App volume and device preferences" and check that your default playback device is set to your speakers or headphones, not "Stereo Mix" or an unplugged device.

On Mac, go to System Settings > Sound and look at the "Output" tab. Make sure your internal speakers or the device you want to use is selected. If you see a device you do not recognize or that is not plugged in, select a different one.

If you recently plugged in headphones, a USB speaker, or an external monitor with audio, your computer may have switched to that device automatically. Unplug it or change the output device back to your main speakers.

Restart your computer

Restart your computer completely. This closes all programs and resets audio drivers without you having to touch settings. Many sound problems — crackling, no output, or audio that cuts in and out — go away after a restart.

On Windows, click the Start menu, select the power icon, and choose "Restart." On Mac, click the Apple menu and select "Restart." Wait for the computer to shut down and start up again, then test your sound.

Look for a disabled audio driver

On Windows, right-click the Start menu and select "Device Manager." Look for "Sound, video and game controllers" and expand it. If you see a device with a yellow exclamation mark or a down arrow, your audio driver is disabled or has a problem. Right-click it and select "Enable device" or "Update driver."

If there is no audio device listed at all, your driver may have been uninstalled. Go to your computer manufacturer's website (Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, etc.), find your model number, and read the audio driver for your operating system. Run the installer and restart your computer.

On Mac, audio drivers are built into the system and cannot be disabled the same way. If you have no sound on Mac, go to System Settings > Sound and check that "Alert volume" is not at zero. If sound still does not work, restart your computer or contact Apple Support, as this usually means a hardware problem.

Check your browser or app settings

If you have sound everywhere except in one program, that program may have muted itself. In your web browser, look for a speaker icon with a line through it next to the website name in the address bar and click it to unmute. Some websites also have their own volume controls — look for a speaker icon on the video player or page itself.

In other programs, look in the Settings or Preferences menu for an audio or sound section. Make sure "Mute" is not turned on and that the volume is not set to zero. If the program has not been used in a while, it may have been muted by a system update or a change to your audio settings.

Test with a different program or website

Open a different program or website to see if sound works there. Try YouTube, Spotify, or a system sound like a notification alert. If sound works in one place but not another, the problem is with that specific program, not your computer's audio.

If you have no sound anywhere, the problem is with your system audio or hardware. Go back to the steps above and check your volume controls, output device, and audio driver. If you have tried all of these and still have no sound, your audio hardware may be damaged and you may need to take your computer to a repair shop or contact the manufacturer.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Each program can have its own volume control. Check the program's settings menu for a mute button or volume slider. On Windows, open Volume mixer and look for the specific app to see if it is muted or set to zero volume. On Mac, some apps have their own audio settings in Preferences.

I plugged in headphones and now I have no sound from my speakers. How do I fix this?

Unplug the headphones. Your computer automatically switches audio output when you plug in headphones. If you want to use your speakers instead, unplug the headphones and your sound should return. If it does not, go to your sound settings and manually select your speakers as the output device.

What does the yellow exclamation mark mean in Device Manager?

It means your audio driver is disabled or has an error. Right-click the device and select "Enable device" or "Update driver." If that does not work, uninstall the driver, restart your computer, and Windows will try to reinstall it automatically. If it does not, read the driver from your computer manufacturer's website.

My computer has sound but it is very quiet. What should I check?

Check your system volume slider first — it may be turned down. Then check the volume control in the program you are using. Some programs have their own volume separate from system volume. If both are turned up, check your speakers themselves — they may have a physical volume knob on the back or side.

Do I need to buy new speakers or a new sound card?

Not usually. Most sound problems are settings or driver issues that you can fix yourself. Only consider new hardware if you have tried all the steps above, restarted your computer, and still have no sound in any program. At that point, your audio hardware may be damaged.