Start with the simplest fixes first

Audio stops working on most computers for one of five reasons: the speakers or headphones are muted in Windows or macOS settings, the device itself is disconnected or turned off, the audio driver needs updating, a single process has its volume turned down, or the wrong audio output device is selected. Before you reinstall software or open the case, check these four things in order.

The fastest fix is often the one you have already overlooked. Look at your keyboard for a mute button — usually marked with a speaker icon with a line through it — and press it. Check the physical volume knob or buttons on your speakers or monitor. Look at the bottom right corner of your Windows taskbar (or top right on a Mac) for the volume icon and click it to see whether the master volume is at zero. If you use headphones, make sure they are actually plugged in or, if wireless, that they are powered on and paired to your computer.

Key Takeaways

  • Check your keyboard mute button, physical speaker volume, and the volume slider in your system tray or menu bar before troubleshooting software.
  • Windows and macOS both let you choose which device plays sound — if you have multiple speakers or headphones connected, the wrong one may be selected.
  • Audio drivers are software that tell your computer how to use your sound hardware, and outdated drivers cause most audio failures that survive the basic checks.
  • If one process has no sound but others do, the problem is in that process's settings, not your computer's audio system.
  • Restarting your computer fixes audio problems roughly half the time because it resets audio drivers and clears software conflicts.

Check which device is set to play sound

Windows and macOS let you connect multiple speakers, headphones, or audio interfaces at the same time. Your computer picks one as the default output device — the one that plays sound unless you tell it otherwise. If you plugged in new speakers or headphones and audio stopped, the computer may still be trying to send sound to the old device.

On Windows, right-click the volume icon in the bottom right corner of the taskbar and select Open Volume mixer. Look for Advanced or App volume and device preferences (the exact name depends on your Windows version). You will see a list of devices. The one with a green checkmark is your default. Click on any device to see which one is actually playing sound right now. If it is not the speakers or headphones you want to use, click on the correct device and select Set as default.

On a Mac, click the Apple menu in the top left, go to System Settings, then Sound. Under Output, you will see a list of devices. Select the one you want to use. If your headphones or speakers do not appear in the list, they may not be paired or connected — unplug them, wait five seconds, and plug them back in.

Update your audio driver on Windows

A driver is software that tells your computer how to use a piece of hardware. Audio drivers are updated regularly by manufacturers to fix bugs and add features. An outdated driver is one of the most common reasons audio stops working, especially after a Windows update.

Open the Windows Start menu and type Device Manager, then press Enter. Look for Sound, video and game controllers and click the arrow next to it to expand the list. You should see your audio device listed — it might say "Realtek", "Intel", "AMD", or the name of your computer manufacturer. Right-click on it and select Update driver. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows will read and install the latest version if one is available.

If that does not work, go to your computer manufacturer's website (Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, etc.) or your audio hardware manufacturer's website. Search for your exact computer model or audio device model, read the latest audio driver, and run the installer. Restart your computer when it finishes.

Restart your computer

Restarting clears temporary software conflicts and resets audio drivers without requiring you to change any settings. It solves audio problems roughly half the time, especially if audio stopped suddenly while you were using the computer.

Click the Start menu (Windows) or Apple menu (Mac), select Shut Down or Restart, and wait for your computer to turn off completely. Wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on. Once it finishes starting up, test your audio by opening a video or music process.

Check the audio settings in the process that has no sound

If audio works everywhere except in one process — for example, YouTube has sound but Spotify does not — the problem is in that process, not your computer's audio system.

Open the process and look for a settings or preferences menu, usually in the top menu bar or in a gear icon. Search for Audio, Sound, or Output. Check that the volume slider is not at zero and that the correct audio device is selected. Some applications let you choose a different speaker or headphone than your computer's default. If the process has a Reset to defaults option, try that. If the problem persists, uninstall and reinstall the process.

Disable audio enhancements on Windows

Windows includes audio enhancement features like surround sound and bass boost that can sometimes conflict with your speakers or headphones. Turning them off is a quick test to see whether they are causing the problem.

Right-click the volume icon in the taskbar and select Open Volume mixer. Look for Advanced and click it. Find your audio device in the list, click on it, and select Device properties. Click the Additional device options link. In the window that opens, click the Enhancements tab. Check the box next to Disable all enhancements and click explore. Test your audio. If sound returns, one of the enhancements was causing the problem. You can then turn enhancements back on one at a time to find which one caused it.

Check for hardware problems

If you have worked through all the steps above and audio still does not work, the problem may be a loose cable, a failed speaker, or a damaged audio port on your computer. Inspect the cable connecting your speakers to your computer or monitor — make sure it is fully plugged in on both ends. If you use a USB audio device or external soundcard, try plugging it into a different USB port. If you use a 3.5mm headphone jack, look inside the port with a flashlight to see whether it looks bent or corroded.

If your computer has a built-in microphone or speaker (like a laptop), and external speakers work fine, the built-in hardware may have failed. This is not something you can fix yourself — you would need to contact the manufacturer or a repair shop. If external speakers do not work but you know the cable is good and the device is powered on, the speakers themselves may have failed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my audio stop working after a Windows update?

Windows updates sometimes replace your audio driver with an older or incompatible version. Open Device Manager, find your audio device under Sound, video and game controllers, right-click it, and select Update driver. If that does not work, visit your computer manufacturer's website and read the latest audio driver for your exact model.

How do I know if my speakers are broken?

Plug them into a different device — a phone, tablet, or another computer — and play music or a video. If they work on the other device, your computer's audio system is the problem. If they do not work on any device, the speakers are likely broken. Check that the power cable is plugged in and the power switch is on first.

Can I fix audio by uninstalling and reinstalling the driver?

Yes, but only as a last resort. In Device Manager, right-click your audio device and select Uninstall device. Restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall a basic driver. If that does not restore audio, read the latest driver from your manufacturer's website and install it manually.

Why does only one ear of my headphones work?

Check the headphone jack for debris or corrosion — use a flashlight to look inside. If the jack looks clean, try the headphones on another device. If only one ear works on every device, the headphones are broken. If only one ear works on your computer but both work on another device, the jack on your computer may be damaged.

What if my audio works but sounds distorted or crackling?

Lower the volume on your speakers or in Windows — distortion often happens when the volume is too high. Check for audio enhancements in your sound settings and disable them. Update your audio driver. If the problem persists, try a different audio output device if you have one available.