How Can You Restore Your PC Sound (For Windows Only)

This tutorial is designed to help you identify and fix common sound problems in Windows, including no sound coming from your speakers or headphones. This tutorial doesn't cover sound problems related to specific programs. Sound problems can be caused by cables that aren't connected properly, corrupt drivers, incompatible drivers, sound settings, missing updates, and problems with your sound card.



Many sound problems are caused by hardware that isn't set up properly. This section covers checking your sound card, plugging cables into the correct locations, making sure the hardware has power, and checking the volume.

1. Check Your Sound Card

Check to make sure your computer has a sound card, or sound processor, and it's working properly.

Open Device Manager by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Security, and then, under System, clicking Device Manager.‌  If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

Double-click Sound, video and game controllers to expand that category. If a sound card is listed, you have one installed. If no sound card is listed, check the information that came with your computer to see if there's supposed to be a sound card installed. If there should be a sound card installed, you'll need to install one. See Install or remove a sound card.

Notes

• If you think you have a sound card installed but you don't see it under the Sound, video and game controllers category, expand the Other devices category and check any devices listed there.
• Laptops don't usually have sound cards. Instead, they have integrated sound processors, which appear in the same category in Device Manager.
  If there's a yellow question mark next to the name of the sound card in Device Manager, there might be a problem.
  1. Right-click the name of the sound card and then click Properties.
  2. Click the General tab, and then look in the Device status box to identify problems with the sound card.
     If there's a problem, you might need a new driver for your sound card. For more information, see Step 3.
     

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