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How to fix no audio output devices found

David Green 220 Reputation points
2025-09-03T13:37:16.6633333+00:00

Randomly, my windows 11 PC stopped playing audio. There is an "X" over the speaker icon in the system tray, and when I open Sound settings, is says "no output devices detected". At a minimum, it should show realtek audio (on device speakers) as an option. I've tried resetting audio drivers in device manager, but no luck.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Devices and drivers

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  1. Kapil Arya 37,681 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-09-03T13:46:11.24+00:00

    Try updating audio drivers to latest version.

    Or if you've already updated them, try to roll back previous version to see if that works.

    Run Playing Audio troubleshooter from Settings app > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. Let us know what it reports back.

    Also, refer other suggestions here:

    https://www.kapilarya.com/fix-no-audio-output-device-is-installed-in-windows-11

    Let us know if this helps!

    Note: Included link in this reply refers to blog by a trusted Microsoft MVP. 

    6 people found this answer helpful.
  2. john b 0 Reputation points
    2025-09-22T17:10:17.8633333+00:00

    I ran into the same problem and found this easy fix on the web.

    Select Windows icon, on Popup search input type Control Panel.

    On Control Panel select 'Hardware and Sound', then Select 'Sound'

    A popup will appear with the Realtek speakers and headphones. Make sure RealTek is enabled and set as default. Hit OK. Speakers should work...they did for me.

    John .

    3 people found this answer helpful.
  3. J9 15 Reputation points
    2025-09-13T20:18:15.43+00:00

    Hi all, I had exactly the same issue as everyone here after an auto upgrade for Windows 11. I had followed all the steps people had suggested such as running the troubleshoot on my PC, and updating my driver, with the same response, saying it was already upgraded etc.

    I am far from a PC pro, but this may help those with a Lenova Yoga, such as I have. I clicked on the 'Lenova Vantage' button in my taskbar (a dark blue square with a white capital 'L') apparently this is some sort of support service that came with my PC as it is only a few months old. (To continue with this I have to pay approx $52/year). It went onto a 'Support Services' page, and I clicked on 'System Update'. It took a few minutes to run, but after it had finished - voila, I had sound again!!

    Maybe see if your PC has some sort of support service that you can do a 'System update' on if the driver update or the trouble shoot options don't work?

    Good luck with trying to resolve a very frustrating issue! :)

    2 people found this answer helpful.
  4. Xiaowen Zong 0 Reputation points Microsoft Employee
    2025-09-05T22:50:11.0066667+00:00

    I faced the exact same issue. I also tried almost all steps Kapil suggested but had no luck. I ended up fixing it by installing a Windows update. You can search for Windows Update in Windows search bar and see if there are any available updates there.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  5. David Poh 0 Reputation points
    2025-09-15T05:40:15.55+00:00

    For Lenovo users, click on Lenovo Commercial Vantage. Likely the driver for the audio hardware has been updated but requires reboot from Vantage app (somehow rebooting via the power button did not work for my laptop). If that is the case the Reboot button should be active (in blue color). Just click on it and this audio isue sould be resolved, worked for my X1.

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