You press play on a video and hear nothing. The volume icon shows a red X, or everything looks normal but the speakers stay silent. When there’s no sound on Windows 11, the cause is usually the wrong output device, a muted app, a stopped audio service or a driver problem. Work through these fixes in order and test the sound after each one.
Quick checks first (1 minute)
- Volume and mute: click the speaker icon on the taskbar and make sure the slider isn’t at 0 or muted. Many keyboards also have a mute key.
- Cables and power: external speakers need power and must be plugged into the right jack (usually green). Unplug and replug USB headsets.
- Headphones still connected: if Bluetooth headphones are paired nearby, sound may be going to them instead. Our guide on Bluetooth not working on Windows 11 helps if they misbehave.
- Restart the PC with Start > Power > Restart.
Fix 1: Choose the right output device
This is the most common cause. Windows may be sending sound to a monitor, a disconnected headset or a virtual device.
- Click the speaker icon on the taskbar.
- Click the arrow (>) next to the volume slider.
- Pick your speakers or headphones from the list.
You can also go to Settings > System > Sound and choose the device under Output. If you use an HDMI monitor without speakers, make sure it isn’t selected.
Fix 2: Check the Volume mixer
Windows lets each app have its own volume, so one app can be muted while others work.
- Go to Settings > System > Sound > Volume mixer.
- Check that the app you’re using (Chrome, Spotify, a game) isn’t muted or turned all the way down.
- Also check that the app’s output device is set to Default or to your speakers.
Don’t forget the volume inside the app itself, such as the YouTube player or the browser tab. In Chrome, right-click a tab to see whether it’s muted.
Fix 3: Run the audio troubleshooter
Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters and click Run next to Audio. In recent Windows 11 versions it opens the Get Help app, which checks your device, services and settings automatically.
Fix 4: Restart the Windows Audio services
- Press Windows + R, type
services.mscand press Enter. - Find Windows Audio, right-click it and choose Restart.
- Do the same for Windows Audio Endpoint Builder.
- Make sure both have Startup type set to Automatic.
Fix 5: Turn off audio enhancements
Some “enhancements” from audio drivers cause silence or crackling.
- Go to Settings > System > Sound and click your output device.
- Find Audio enhancements and set it to Off.
- Play something to test.
On the same page, try changing the Format (for example, to 24 bit, 48000 Hz) if the sound is distorted or cuts out.
Fix 6: Update, roll back or reinstall the audio driver
- Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
- Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
- Right-click your audio device (often Realtek, Intel or a brand name) and choose Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
- If sound stopped after a recent update, open Properties > Driver and choose Roll Back Driver.
- As a last step, choose Uninstall device, restart the PC, and let Windows reinstall it.
For the best results on laptops and branded desktops, download the audio driver from your manufacturer’s support page for your exact model. Also check Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates.
Fix 7: Check HDMI and DisplayPort sound
If you use a TV or monitor with built-in speakers, select it as the output device in Fix 1. If it doesn’t appear, update your graphics driver (NVIDIA, AMD or Intel), since HDMI audio comes from the graphics card.
Still no sound?
- Test with different headphones or speakers to rule out a hardware problem.
- If sound broke right after a Windows update, see our guide on fixing Windows Update problems, which explains how to uninstall a recent update.
- Use System Restore to return to a point before the problem started, if one is available.
More Windows fixes are in our How to Fix Errors section.
FAQ
Why did my sound stop working after a Windows update?
Updates sometimes install a new audio driver that doesn’t work well with your hardware. Rolling back the driver in Device Manager, or installing the one from your PC maker’s website, usually fixes it.
Why do my headphones work but my speakers don’t?
Windows is probably still set to the headphones as the output device, or the speakers aren’t powered or plugged into the right jack. Select the speakers in the sound output list and check the cables.
What does the red X on the volume icon mean?
It means Windows can’t find a working audio output, often because the Windows Audio service stopped or the driver failed. Restarting the audio services and reinstalling the driver usually clears it.
How do I fix crackling or distorted sound?
Turn off audio enhancements, change the audio format in sound settings, and update the audio driver. Also try another USB port or cable for USB headsets.
