Start with the simplest checks first

No sound usually means one of three things: the volume is muted or turned down, the wrong audio device is selected, or a driver needs updating. Before you assume something is broken, check whether your speakers are actually on and plugged in, whether the volume slider in Windows or macOS is at zero, and whether a headphone jack is partially inserted (which disables the speakers automatically on most machines).

If you have external speakers, make sure the power cable is connected and the power button is switched on. Many people spend an hour troubleshooting software when the speaker was never turned on. The same applies to USB speakers or soundbars — they need power and a data connection to work.

Key Takeaways

  • Check that your speakers are powered on and plugged in, and that the volume slider in your operating system is not at zero or muted.
  • A partially inserted headphone jack will disable your speakers, so reseat any audio cables firmly into their ports.
  • Windows and macOS can route sound to the wrong device — open your audio settings and confirm the correct speaker or headphone is selected as the default.
  • If sound works in some programs but not others, the problem is usually that program's own volume control or audio settings, not your computer.
  • Outdated or missing audio drivers cause sound to stop working entirely; Windows Update usually installs them automatically, but you may need to update manually.

Check your operating system's volume and mute settings

On Windows 10 or 11: Right-click the speaker icon in the bottom right corner of your taskbar. A menu will appear showing your current volume level. If you see a speaker with a line through it, your audio is muted — click the menu to unmute it. If the volume slider is all the way to the left, drag it to the right to increase volume. Then test sound by opening a video or playing music.

On macOS: Click the speaker icon in the top right corner of your menu bar. A slider will appear. If you see a muted symbol, click it to unmute. If the slider is at the far left, drag it to the right. Some Macs also have a physical mute switch on the keyboard — check whether the F11 key (or the key with a speaker and a line through it) is lit up, which means audio is muted.

Both operating systems also have a master mute button that is straightforward to hit by accident. If you recently bumped your keyboard or spilled something, this is often the culprit.

Verify the correct audio device is selected

Modern computers can send sound to multiple places: built-in speakers, external speakers, headphones, USB audio devices, or Bluetooth speakers. If you have more than one audio device connected, your computer may be sending sound to a device that is off or disconnected.

On Windows: Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select "Open Volume mixer" or "Sound settings." Look for a section labeled "Output" or "Playback devices." You will see a list of devices with a green checkmark next to the active one. If the active device is not the speakers you want to use, click on the correct device and select "Set as default." If you see a device you do not recognize or no longer use, you can right-click it and select "Disable" to clean up the list.

On macOS: Click the Apple menu, then "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older versions). Go to "Sound" and click the "Output" tab. Select the device you want to use from the list. If your speakers do not appear in the list, they may not be connected or powered on.

Bluetooth speakers and headphones sometimes disconnect without warning. If your audio device is not in the list, try turning it off and back on, or re-pairing it to your computer.

Check individual program volume controls

Some programs have their own volume slider that is separate from your system volume. If you have sound everywhere except in one program, that program's volume is probably turned down or muted.

Open the program and look for a speaker icon or volume slider in the main window or in a settings menu. YouTube, Spotify, Discord, and video games all have independent volume controls. Turn the slider up or unmute the icon, then test again. If the program is a web browser like Chrome or Firefox, you can also right-click the tab at the top and select "Unmute tab" if a speaker icon with a line through it appears.

Some programs also route audio through a different device than your default. In Discord, for example, you can set the output device to headphones while your system default is speakers. Check the program's audio settings to confirm it is using the device you want.

Update or reinstall your audio driver

An audio driver is software that tells your operating system how to communicate with your speakers or headphones. If the driver is outdated, corrupted, or missing, sound will not work even if everything else is connected correctly.

On Windows: Right-click the Start button and select "Device Manager." Look for a section called "Sound, video and game controllers" and click the arrow to expand it. You should see your audio device listed — it usually has a name like "Realtek Audio" or "High Definition Audio Device." If there is a yellow exclamation mark next to it, the driver needs attention. Right-click the device and select "Update driver," then choose "Search automatically for updated driver software." Windows will search online and install the latest version if one is available. Restart your computer when the update is complete.

If updating does not work, try uninstalling the driver instead. Right-click the audio device and select "Uninstall device." Restart your computer — Windows will automatically reinstall the driver from its built-in library. This often fixes corrupted drivers that an update cannot repair.

On macOS: Audio drivers are built into the operating system and cannot be updated separately. If sound is not working, restart your Mac first. If that does not help, go to "System Settings," click "General," then "Software Update" to check whether a macOS update is available. Audio driver fixes are sometimes included in operating system updates.

Test sound in a different program or browser

Before you assume your computer is broken, test sound in at least two different places. Open YouTube in your web browser and play a video. Then open a different program like Spotify or a video game. If sound works in one place but not another, the problem is with that specific program, not your audio hardware.

If sound works nowhere, the problem is your system volume, audio device selection, or driver. If sound works everywhere, you have already solved it — the issue was probably muted audio or the wrong device selected.

If sound works in the browser but not in a program you installed, that program may have its own audio settings that are misconfigured. Check the program's preferences or settings menu for an audio or sound section.

When to check for hardware problems

If you have gone through all the steps above and sound still does not work, the problem may be physical. Look at the audio jack on your computer — if it is bent, corroded, or visibly damaged, it may not make a proper connection. The same applies to any cables connecting external speakers. Try gently cleaning the jack with a dry cotton swab.

If you have external speakers, test them on a different device like a phone or tablet. If they do not work there either, the speakers themselves are broken. If they work on another device, the problem is your computer's audio output.

Liquid damage, dust buildup inside the computer, or a failed audio component can also cause sound to stop working. If your computer has been exposed to spills, extreme heat, or heavy dust, and you have ruled out every software cause, a repair technician can diagnose whether the hardware is damaged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does sound work in some programs but not others?

Each program has its own volume control and audio device setting. Check that program's settings menu or preferences to see whether its volume is muted or turned down, or whether it is trying to send sound to a device that is not connected. Some programs also require permission to access your audio — check your operating system's privacy settings to confirm the program is allowed to use sound.

My headphones are plugged in but I still hear sound from my speakers. What is wrong?

Your computer may not have detected the headphones. Unplug them, wait a few seconds, and plug them back in firmly. Then check your audio settings to confirm headphones are now listed as the default output device. Some computers require you to manually select headphones even after they are plugged in.

I restarted my computer and now there is no sound. What changed?

A restart can disconnect Bluetooth audio devices or reset your audio settings. Check whether your Bluetooth speaker or headphones are still paired and powered on. If you use external speakers, make sure they are plugged in and turned on. Then check your system volume and confirm the correct audio device is selected as default.

Can a Windows Update cause my sound to stop working?

Yes. Updates sometimes install a new audio driver that is incompatible with your hardware. Go to Device Manager, find your audio device, and try rolling back the driver to the previous version. Right-click the device, select "Properties," click the "Driver" tab, and look for a "Roll Back Driver" button. If that button is not available, try uninstalling the driver and letting Windows reinstall it automatically.

My computer shows no audio devices in the sound settings. What does that mean?

Your audio driver is missing or disabled. Go to Device Manager and look for any devices with a yellow exclamation mark or a down arrow. Right-click them and select "Enable device." If you still see nothing, your driver may need to be reinstalled — restart your computer and check again, or visit your computer manufacturer's support website to read the audio driver for your specific model.