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No Sound on Computer? How to Fix Audio on Windows and Mac

4 min read •
Beginner Audio Sound Windows Mac Fix

No sound is coming from your computer. Videos play silently, music apps show playback but nothing comes out, notifications are mute. Here is how to fix it on every platform.

Quick Checks (30 Seconds)

Before anything else:

  1. Volume not muted? Check the volume icon in the taskbar — click it and make sure it is not muted or at zero
  2. Correct output device? If you have headphones, speakers, AND Bluetooth connected, your audio might be going to the wrong one
  3. Physical connection? If using speakers or headphones, check the cable is plugged in fully. Try unplugging and replugging

Windows Fixes

Fix 1: Check Output Device

  1. Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar
  2. Click Sound settings
  3. Under "Output" → make sure the correct device is selected
  4. Click the dropdown and try each device

Fix 2: Check Volume Mixer

  1. Right-click speaker icon → Open Volume Mixer
  2. Each app has its own volume slider — make sure the app you are using is not muted or at zero
  3. Chrome, Spotify, games, etc. each have separate volume controls

Fix 3: Run Audio Troubleshooter

Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters → Playing Audio → Run

Fix 4: Restart Audio Service

  1. Press Win + R → type services.msc → Enter
  2. Find Windows Audio → right-click → Restart
  3. Also restart Windows Audio Endpoint Builder

Fix 5: Update Audio Driver

  1. Device Manager → Sound, video and game controllers
  2. Right-click your audio device → Update driver
  3. Or: Uninstall device → restart → Windows reinstalls automatically

Fix 6: Check Audio Enhancements

  1. Right-click speaker icon → Sound settings → More sound settings
  2. Click your output device → Properties → Advanced tab
  3. Uncheck "Enable audio enhancements"
  4. Also check Spatial sound tab → set to Off

Fix 7: Set Default Device

  1. Sound settings → More sound settings
  2. Right-click your speakers → Set as Default Device
  3. Also set as Default Communication Device

Mac Fixes

Fix 1: Check Output

System Settings → Sound → Output → select the correct device

Fix 2: Check Volume

Make sure the volume slider is up and "Mute" is unchecked.

Also check: hold Option and click the volume icon in menu bar → select output device

Fix 3: Reset Core Audio

sudo killall coreaudiod

This restarts the audio system. Sound should work after a few seconds.

Fix 4: Reset NVRAM

Shut down → power on → hold Option + Command + P + R for 20 seconds. This resets audio settings stored in NVRAM.

Fix 5: Check App Permissions

System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone → make sure apps have permission (some apps need mic permission to output audio too)

Bluetooth Audio Issues

Connected But No Sound

  1. Make sure the Bluetooth device is selected as output (not just connected)
  2. Windows: Sound settings → Output → select the Bluetooth device
  3. Mac: Option-click volume icon → select Bluetooth device
  4. Restart Bluetooth: Turn Bluetooth off and on, reconnect the device

Audio Lagging/Stuttering

  1. Move closer to your computer (within 3 feet)
  2. Remove other Bluetooth devices (interference)
  3. Windows: Device Manager → Bluetooth → right-click adapter → Properties → Power Management → uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device"

Only One Earbud Works

  1. Put both earbuds in the case → close → wait 10 seconds → reopen
  2. Forget the device and re-pair
  3. Check the earbud for earwax blocking the speaker

HDMI Audio Not Working

If you connect to a TV/monitor via HDMI and get no sound:

  1. Set HDMI as default output: Sound settings → select the HDMI/TV device
  2. Right-click the HDMI device → Properties → make sure it is enabled
  3. Update GPU driver — HDMI audio comes from the GPU, not the sound card
  4. Check TV volume — the TV has its own volume control

App-Specific Audio Issues

Chrome No Sound

  1. Right-click the tab → make sure "Mute site" is not enabled
  2. Check volume mixer — Chrome has its own slider
  3. chrome://settings/content/sound → make sure sound is allowed

Zoom/Teams No Sound

  1. In the app: Settings → Audio → check output device
  2. Test speakers within the app
  3. Leave and rejoin the call

Games No Sound

  1. Check in-game audio settings — output device and volume
  2. Check volume mixer — the game might be muted
  3. Some games default to a specific output device — change it in game settings

Still No Sound?

If nothing above works:

  1. Try headphones — if headphones work but speakers do not, your speakers are the problem
  2. Try a USB audio adapter ($10) — bypasses your computer's built-in audio chip
  3. Check for physical damage — laptop speakers can blow from excessive volume or liquid damage
  4. System Restore (Windows) — roll back to a time when audio worked

Related Tools

  • Browser Info — check your audio and media capabilities
  • Speed Test — test if streaming audio issues are internet-related