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fix audio on windows 11

Kevin Linda 65 Reputation points
2026-02-22T15:39:38.1066667+00:00

sound will not work can get it to work for short periods of time

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Devices and drivers

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  1. DaveM121 848.8K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-02-22T16:15:54.0433333+00:00

    1

    Right click your Start Button and open Device Manager.

    Expand the 'Sound, Video and Game Controllers' section.

    Please provide a screenshot of that full Device Manager window.

    2

    Click your Start Button, then just type msinfo and press Enter, please provide a screenshot of the resulting System Information window.

    6 people found this answer helpful.
  2. Q&A Assist
    2026-02-22T15:39:45.6966667+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    To fix audio issues on Windows 11, you can try the following steps:

    1. Check Device Manager: Open Device Manager and ensure that your audio drivers are installed and functioning properly. Look for any warning signs next to your audio devices.
    2. Update Audio Drivers: You can update your audio drivers via Windows Update. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates. If there are updated drivers available, install them.
    3. Roll Back Drivers: If you recently updated your audio drivers and started experiencing issues, you might want to roll back to the previous version. In Device Manager, right-click on your audio device, select Properties, and then go to the Driver tab to find the rollback option.
    4. Run the Audio Troubleshooter: Navigate to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters and run the Playing Audio troubleshooter. This tool can help identify and fix common audio problems.
    5. Check for Compatibility Issues: If your device is affected by compatibility holds due to audio driver issues, ensure that you have the latest compatible drivers installed. For example, if you have Intel Smart Sound Technology, ensure that you are using version 10.30.00.5714 or later.

    If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to contact your device manufacturer for further assistance or check their website for specific drivers related to your model.

    References:

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Steve Mathias 0 Reputation points
    2026-02-26T16:33:10.6433333+00:00

    I had the same problem recently, I have a Microsoft Audio Dock connected to my Surface device via USB-C. Seems like when I first boot up my laptop from being powered off, I get no Sound from the Audio Dock. Simply going in and changing the "Sound Output" to the built-in speakers and back to the Audio Dock (clicking on the speaker in the notification tray / Clicking on the > at the right side of the volume slider bar / clicking the built-in speakers and flipping back) would cause it to start working. Been having to do that for a bit, maybe since the Feb 2026 Update a couple weeks ago.

    I just installed the Feb Preview Update and maybe the problem has gone away.

  4. Bulldog 370 Reputation points
    2026-02-23T15:59:49.4533333+00:00

    If your sound works for short periods of time and then goes away and comes back and goes away, that's more likely a physical problem rather than a software problem. There isn't anything in software that would cause that. It could be a loose connection in a wire or a worn USB port, something like that. In my case, the electrical contacts in my speakers' volume control were corroding, and needed a few sprays of contact cleaner. That worked, but let's see how long it lasts. These things aren't built to military tolerances.

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