What to do if your laptop’s audio stops working

An audio system or sound card is an essential component of a laptop. From system notifications to multimedia experiences, a functioning sound system keeps us informed and engaged. But when laptop sound malfunctions, it can significantly hinder productivity and user experience.

A laptop without sound can quickly become a productivity nightmare, hindering communication in meetings, presentations, and even basic troubleshooting. In this guide, we’ll explain what to do if your laptop has no sound and the steps you can follow to get back on track to a fully functioning (and audible) machine.

What to do if your laptop has no sound

Here’s what you can do to fix the audio issue:

1. Verify your audio settings

2. Remember to unmute your apps

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3. Try using headphones

4. Switch your audio output

5. Try installing or updating your audio drivers

6. Update your BIOS

7. Repair the speakers

1. Verify your audio settings

Ensuring your computer’s sound remains audible is crucial. If you accidentally happen to mute your computer’s sound, don’t worry, it happens! Here’s how to quickly check your volume:

For Windows 10

Look at the bottom-right corner of your screen and you’ll notice the speaker icon. Simply click on it and make sure the volume isn’t muted. Turn the volume up if needed.

For Windows 11

You’ll find a button on the taskbar that has Wi-Fi, volume, and battery settings. Click on it, select the volume bar, and drag it to the right to increase the sound. You’ll hear a ‘ding’ when you’ve adjusted it.

For macOS

Go to the top-right corner of your screen and find the Control Center icon. Click on it and then look for the volume bar. Simply drag it to the right to increase the volume.

2. Remember to unmute your apps

If you turn up the volume and hear the system sounds but don’t hear any other sound from your media apps, chances are the specific app you’re using might be muted. Check if the volume is up and unmute your music, video, or any other entertainment app you’re using. It’s common to accidentally mute them, so be sure to check. If you’re on Chrome, you can click the music note icon (right of the address bar) in the browser menu to control audio from any tab.

3. Try using headphones

If you’re experiencing difficulties with the sound from your laptop’s built-in speakers, there’s a simple way to troubleshoot the problem: try using headphones. By connecting headphones or an external set of speakers to your laptop, you can determine whether the issue lies with the internal speakers themselves or with another component of your system. When you plug in headphones and find that they produce sound properly, it suggests that the problem may be with the built-in speakers of your laptop.

4. Switch your audio output

Sometimes your computer may be directing sound to the wrong output device. This is common when using USB audio devices or external monitors without speakers. Here’s how to adjust it:

For Windows 10

Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select ‘Sounds.’ Click on the ‘Playback’ tab. Look for your desired device, and if not visible, right-click to enable ‘Show Disabled Devices.’ Then, set your preferred device as default.

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For Windows 11

Open ‘Settings’ and navigate to ‘System’ > ‘Sound.’ While there, ensure the correct output device is selected.

For macOS

Go to ‘System Settings.’ Select ‘Sound.’ Ensure the correct one is at the top of the list, or drag it there if necessary.

5. Try installing or updating your audio drivers

If you’re still having trouble with the sound, it’s worth checking your drivers. To do this, click on the Start Menu and type ‘device manager,’ then press Enter. Look for ‘Sound, Video and Game Controllers’ and click to expand it. If you see a yellow mark next to any device, you may need to install the driver from the manufacturer’s website. Even if there’s no mark, it’s still a good idea to update the drivers.

You can also try uninstalling the driver by right-clicking on the device and selecting ‘Uninstall Device.’ After that, restart your computer, and it may reinstall the drivers automatically and fix the problem.

6. Update your BIOS

Sometimes, your computer’s sound might suddenly stop working. This can happen for a few reasons, like if your hardware and software aren’t getting along or if you’ve recently updated your computer’s system. If this happens, you might need to make some adjustments in your computer’s BIOS settings.

To do this, you’ll need to restart your computer and enter what’s called the BIOS or UEFI setup menu. You can usually do this by pressing a specific key like Delete or F2 when your computer boots up. Once you’re in the BIOS menu, first make sure that your sound card is enabled. Sometimes, it can accidentally get turned off. If that doesn’t solve the problem, check which version of the BIOS or UEFI your computer is using. 

You can usually find this information in the BIOS menu. Then, go to your laptop manufacturer’s website and see if there’s a newer version available. If there is, it might be worth updating. However, be careful when updating the BIOS. Make sure to follow the instructions carefully because if you do it wrong, you could end up causing more problems.

7. Repair the speakers

Ultimately, if none of these fixes work, there might be something wrong with the speakers, or a cable might have gotten loose inside your laptop. Don’t worry though, you have a couple of options. You can either try opening up your computer and taking a look inside if you’re comfortable doing that. Or, if you’d rather not, you can get help from professionals. 

If your laptop is still under warranty, you can send it back to the service centre for them to fix. Otherwise, you can find a local repair shop with skilled technicians who can figure out what’s wrong and help you fix the issue.

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In conclusion, while a laptop without sound can be frustrating, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to identify and fix the problem. By checking your settings, using headphones, updating drivers, and exploring more advanced solutions like BIOS updates, you can get your laptop’s sound system up and running in no time. If the problem persists, it’s always best to seek out professional help.