Sound Not Working on Laptop? 10 Fixes for Windows 11

Step-by-step fixes for a Windows 11 laptop with no sound, quiet sound or sound that only works in some apps.

Quick answer: If sound is not working on your laptop, check the volume and mute keys, then click the speaker icon on the taskbar and make sure the right output device is selected. Run the Audio troubleshooter in Settings, turn off audio enhancements, and update or reinstall the audio driver in Device Manager. If it still fails, restart the Windows Audio services and check for Windows updates.

No sound is one of the most common laptop problems, and it usually has a simple cause. Windows may be sending audio to headphones, a monitor or a Bluetooth speaker you are no longer using, or the sound may simply be muted.

This guide follows Microsoft’s recommended order of fixes for Windows 11. Test sound after each step, using a video or the test tone in Sound settings.

What kind of sound problem do you have?

Symptom	Likely cause	Start with
No sound at all	Mute, wrong output or driver	Fix 1, Fix 2, Fix 5
Sound in some apps only	App volume or app setting	Fix 3
Sound through headphones only	Wrong default device or speaker fault	Fix 2 and the hardware section
Crackling or distorted	Enhancements or driver	Fix 4 and Fix 5
Stopped after an update	Driver	Fix 6

How do you fix sound not working on a laptop?

1. Check volume and mute

Press the volume up key and check the mute key, often marked with a crossed-out speaker. Also check that the speaker icon on the taskbar does not show a cross.

2. Choose the right output device

Click the speaker icon on the taskbar, then the arrow beside the volume slider, and choose your laptop speakers or headphones. You can also set it in Start > Settings > System > Sound > Output.

Example
Nida had no sound after a meeting. Windows was still sending audio to her monitor, which has no speakers, after she connected it by HDMI. Switching the output back to the laptop speakers fixed it straight away.

3. Check app volumes

In Settings > System > Sound > Volume mixer, check that the app you are using is not muted or set very low. Also check the volume inside the app or website.

4. Turn off audio enhancements

Go to Settings > System > Sound, select your output device, and under Advanced settings set Audio enhancements to Off. Microsoft lists this as a fix for missing or distorted sound.

5. Run the audio troubleshooter

Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters and select Run next to Audio. It checks common problems and can fix them automatically.

6. Update, roll back or reinstall the driver

Open Device Manager and expand Sound, video and game controllers. Right-click your audio device and choose Update driver. If sound stopped after an update, open Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver. To reinstall, choose Uninstall device, tick the option to remove the driver, and restart.

7. Restart audio services

Search for Services and open it. Restart Windows Audio, Windows Audio Endpoint Builder and Remote Procedure Call (RPC) by right-clicking each and choosing Restart.

8. Disconnect Bluetooth devices

A paired speaker or headset may grab the audio as soon as it turns on. Turn off Bluetooth for a moment and test the laptop speakers.

9. Install Windows and maker updates

Install pending Windows updates, then check your laptop maker’s support tool for audio driver and BIOS updates. Maker drivers sometimes add speaker tuning that generic drivers lack.

10. Test with headphones

Plug in wired headphones. If they work but the speakers do not, the speakers or their connection may be faulty.

BTS Magazine Tip
Rename your audio devices in Sound settings, for example “Laptop speakers” and “Office headset”. It makes choosing the right output much faster, especially when a monitor, a dock and Bluetooth headphones all appear in the list.

What if the sound works but is too quiet?

Check both volumes: Windows volume and the app volume both need to be up.
Turn off enhancements, then test them: On some laptops, the maker’s audio app boosts speech or volume. Try it both ways.
Clean the speaker grilles: Dust can muffle small laptop speakers.
Use external speakers: Small laptop speakers have limits, especially in busy rooms.

Example
Ali’s laptop sound was very quiet in video calls but fine in music. The meeting app had its own speaker volume set low. Raising it in the app’s audio settings fixed the problem without any driver changes.

What if Bluetooth headphones connect but play no sound?

Bluetooth audio has its own common problems. Microsoft has a separate guide for this case, and these checks cover the usual causes:

Select the right output: Bluetooth headsets can appear twice, once for stereo audio and once for hands-free calls. Choose the stereo option for music and videos.
Remove and re-pair: In Settings, under Bluetooth and devices, remove the headset, then pair it again.
Check the headset is not connected elsewhere: Many headsets connect to your phone first. Disconnect them there.
Charge the headset: Low battery can cause dropouts or silence.

If wired headphones work but Bluetooth ones do not, the issue is with pairing or the Bluetooth driver, not your laptop’s main audio system.

When is it a hardware problem?

If headphones work but the speakers never do, even after driver changes, the speakers or their cable may have failed. Crackling that continues after you turn off enhancements and update drivers can also point to damaged speakers. Check your warranty, and use headphones or external speakers as a workaround.

Try this today
Open Settings, go to System, then Sound, and check which output device is the default. Remove or rename old devices you no longer use, so Windows does not switch to them unexpectedly.

Frequently asked questions

Why is there no sound on my laptop?

Common causes are mute, the wrong output device, a driver problem or audio being sent to a Bluetooth device or monitor.

How do I fix no sound in Windows 11?

Check the output device, run the Audio troubleshooter, turn off enhancements and update or reinstall the audio driver.

Why does sound work in headphones but not speakers?

The speakers may not be the default device, or they may be faulty. Select them in Sound settings and test again.

How do I restart audio services?

Open Services, then restart Windows Audio, Windows Audio Endpoint Builder and Remote Procedure Call.

Why did my sound stop after a Windows update?

The update may have changed the audio driver. Roll back the driver or install the latest one from your laptop maker.

Why is my laptop sound crackling?

Audio enhancements, an outdated driver or damaged speakers can cause crackling. Turn off enhancements and update the driver.

Final Thoughts

Check mute and the output device before anything else.
Run the Audio troubleshooter and turn off enhancements.
Update, roll back or reinstall the audio driver.
Test with headphones to tell a software fault from a speaker fault.

Sound Not Working on Laptop: 10 Fixes for Windows 11

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What kind of sound problem do you have?