Windows 11 Audio Not Working? Here's How to Fix It

No sound on Windows? Speakers or headphones not working? Here’s how to fix it.

Quick Checklist First

1. Is volume turned up? (Click speaker icon bottom-right)
2. Are speakers/headphones plugged in properly?
3. Try a different app — does it work in one app but not another?

Fix 1: Select the Right Audio Device

Right-click the speaker icon → Open Sound settings.

Under Output, make sure the correct device is selected.

If you don’t see your device, click Add device.

Fix 2: Run the Audio Troubleshooter

Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Audio → Run.

Fix 3: Update Your Audio Driver

Press Win + X → Device Manager → Sound, video and game controllers.

Find your audio device → right-click → Update driver → Search automatically.

Or download from your PC manufacturer’s website.

Fix 4: Restart Audio Services

Press Win + R, type services.msc, press Enter.

Find Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder → right-click each → Restart.

Set both to Automatic if not already.

Fix 5: Disable Audio Enhancements

Right-click speaker icon → Sound → Playback tab.

Right-click your audio device → Properties → Enhancements tab → Disable all enhancements → Apply.

Fix 6: Run System File Checker

Open Command Prompt as Admin:

sfc /scannow

Repairs corrupted system files.

Fix 7: Hardware Test

Try your speakers/headphones on another device.

Try a different set of speakers/headphones on your PC.

If another device works, the original hardware is faulty.

Still no sound? Try a USB sound card ($5 on Amazon) as a test. If it works, your built-in audio card is dead.