Start with the simplest checks first

Before you dig into settings, check three things that fix most audio problems in under a minute. First, look at your speaker icon in the system tray (bottom right on Windows, top right on Mac). If it has an X or a line through it, your audio is muted—click it to unmute. Second, make sure the volume slider is actually turned up, not sitting at zero. Third, physically inspect the cable running from your speakers or headphones to your computer. A loose connection is the single most common reason audio stops working.

If you're using external speakers or headphones, try unplugging them and plugging them back in. Wait three seconds between disconnect and reconnect. This resets the connection and often restores sound when ready. If you're using wireless headphones or speakers, check that they're charged and paired to your computer—a disconnected Bluetooth device won't produce sound even if it's turned on.

Key Takeaways

  • Check the mute button in your system tray and verify the volume slider is not at zero before troubleshooting anything else.
  • Unplug and reconnect your speakers or headphones, waiting a few seconds between disconnect and reconnect.
  • Open your device manager or sound settings to confirm Windows or Mac recognizes your audio hardware as working, not disabled or with a warning.
  • Restart your computer—this fixes audio driver conflicts and resets audio services without requiring manual reinstallation.
  • If audio works in one program but not another, the problem is usually that program's settings, not your hardware or system audio.

Check whether your computer recognizes your audio device

Your operating system needs to see your speakers or headphones as a working device. On Windows, right-click the speaker icon in the system tray and select "Open Sound settings." Look for "Output" near the top. You should see your speakers or headphones listed, and the name should not have a warning icon or the word "disabled" next to it. If you see a device with a yellow warning triangle, right-click it and select "Enable device."

On Mac, click the Apple menu, go to "System Settings," then "Sound." Under "Output," you should see your speakers or headphones listed and selected. If the device appears but is grayed out, click it to select it. If no device appears at all, your computer is not detecting the hardware—try unplugging and replugging it, or restart your computer and check again.

If you see multiple audio devices listed and the wrong one is selected, click the correct device. For example, if "HDMI" is selected but you want to use your built-in speakers, click "Speakers" instead. This is especially common if you've ever connected your computer to a TV or external monitor.

Restart your computer to reset audio services

A restart fixes most audio problems because it resets the audio driver and the services that manage sound. Shut down your computer completely—not sleep mode, but a full shutdown. Wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on. This clears temporary conflicts that prevent audio from working even though your hardware is fine.

If you've restarted and audio still does not work, the problem is usually a driver issue or a setting buried in your system. Do not restart again—move to the next step instead.

Update or reinstall your audio driver

Your audio driver is the software that lets Windows or Mac talk to your speakers or headphones. If the driver is outdated or corrupted, sound will not work even though the hardware is fine. On Windows, right-click the Start button, select "Device Manager," and look for "Sound, video and game controllers." Click the arrow next to it to expand the list. Right-click 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" and let Windows search.

If Windows finds an update, install it and restart your computer. If it says the driver is already up to date but audio still does not work, right-click the same device again and select "Uninstall device." Restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver on startup, which often fixes corruption that an update alone cannot.

On Mac, audio drivers are built into the operating system and update automatically with macOS updates. If audio is not working on Mac, go to "System Settings," click "General," then "Software Update" to check for updates. Install any available updates and restart.

Check the audio settings in the program that is not producing sound

If audio works everywhere on your computer except in one program—like a web browser, video game, or video call app—the problem is that program's settings, not your hardware. Open the program and look for a Settings or Preferences menu. Search for "Audio," "Sound," or "Output." Make sure the correct speaker or headphone device is selected, and the volume is not muted or set to zero within that program.

For web browsers, audio might be muted at the tab level. Look for a small speaker icon with an X on the browser tab itself. Click it to unmute the tab. If you are using a video call app like Zoom or Teams, check that the app has permission to use your microphone and speakers. On Windows, go to "Settings," then "Privacy & Security," then "Microphone" or "Camera," and make sure the app is listed and toggled on. On Mac, go to "System Settings," then "Privacy & Security," then "Microphone," and check the same thing.

Disable audio enhancements that interfere with sound

Windows includes audio enhancement features that sometimes cause sound to cut out or distort. On Windows, right-click the speaker icon in the system tray, select "Open Sound settings," scroll down to "Advanced," and click "Volume mixer." Find your audio device in the list, click it, and select "Device properties." Click the "Advanced" tab. Uncheck the box next to "Enable audio enhancements" and click "explore," then "OK."

Restart your computer and test your audio. If sound returns, the enhancement feature was the problem. If audio still does not work, check the box again to re-enable enhancements and move to the next step.

Check for hardware damage or a failing audio port

If you have tried all the steps above and audio still does not work, the problem may be physical damage to your speakers, headphones, or the audio port on your computer. Inspect the audio jack (the 3.5mm hole where you plug in headphones) for bent pins, debris, or corrosion. If you see damage, do not force a plug into it—this will make it worse. Try cleaning the jack gently with a dry cotton swab, then test again.

If you are using USB speakers or headphones, try plugging them into a different USB port on your computer. USB ports can fail individually, and moving to a different port will tell you whether the port or the device is the problem. If audio works in the new port, the original port is damaged and you will need to use a different one going forward.

If you have access to another computer, plug your speakers or headphones into it. If they work on the other computer, your audio hardware is fine and the problem is your original computer's audio system. If they do not work on the other computer either, your speakers or headphones are damaged and need replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does audio work in some programs but not others?

The program that is not producing sound has its own audio settings or permissions that are blocking sound. Check that program's settings menu for audio or sound options, and make sure the correct speaker or headphone device is selected and not muted. On Mac and Windows, also check that the program has permission to use your audio hardware in your system privacy settings.

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

Open your sound settings and look at the "Output" section. You will see multiple devices listed—usually "Speakers" and "Headphones." Click on "Headphones" to select it. Your computer will now send audio to the headphones instead of the speakers. If headphones do not appear in the list after you plug them in, unplug them, wait 5 seconds, and plug them back in.

I updated my audio driver but sound still does not work. What should I try next?

Uninstall the driver completely and let your operating system reinstall it automatically. On Windows, go to Device Manager, right-click your audio device, and select "Uninstall device." Restart your computer—Windows will reinstall the driver on startup. This fixes corruption that an update alone cannot address.

Is there a way to test whether my audio hardware is actually working?

Yes. On Windows, go to Sound settings, scroll to "Advanced," and click "Volume mixer." Under "Apps," find any open program and you should see a small moving bar next to it when sound is playing. If the bar moves but you hear nothing, your hardware is broken. If the bar does not move, the program is not sending audio to your speakers.

What should I do if my audio port looks damaged?

Do not force a plug into a damaged port—this will make the damage worse. If you have another USB port or a USB audio adapter, use that instead. If the damage is severe, you may need to use external USB speakers or headphones, or take your computer to a repair shop if you want the port replaced.