no sound issue

Question

no sound from my computer unless I plug in an extra speaker

Answer 1

Dear Bob Hall,

Thank you for your question and for sharing the details into Microsoft Q&A Forum. 

I understand how inconvenient it is when your PC has no sound unless you plug in an external speaker. At this point, I recommend that you review and try the steps provided in both the AI generated answer and the Independent Advisor’s answer on your thread. Those replies typically include the most relevant checks for this scenario. From your description, Windows is able to output audio to an external device, to help narrow down, could you please share the details below? 

•  Are you using a laptop (built-in speakers) or a desktop (monitor speakers / internal speaker)? 
• When you connect the “extra speaker,” is it USB, Bluetooth, or 3.5mm (aux)? 
• Does the issue happen for all audio (system sounds + videos), or only specific apps? 
• In Settings > System > Sound > Speakers (internal), if you click Test, do you hear anything? 
• Does sound work with wired headphones (3.5mm) or Bluetooth headphones, or only with the external speaker you mentioned? 
• In Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers, what audio driver names do you see (for example Realtek/Intel/NVIDIA/AMD)? 

In the meantime, here are a few basic steps you can try: 

1. Do a full shutdown 

• Save your work. 
• Hold Shift and click Start > Power > Shut down. 
• Wait about 15 seconds, then power the PC back on and test internal speakers again. 

2. Reset Windows sound device & per‑app volumes to defaults  

• Go to Settings > System > Sound > Advanced. 
• Select Reset (Reset sound devices and volumes for all apps to the recommended defaults). 
• Test sound again. 

3. Disable “Exclusive mode” for the internal speakers 

• Press Win + R, type mmsys.cpl, press Enter. 
• On Playback, select your internal Speakers > Properties. 
• Go to the Advanced tab: Uncheck Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device and Give exclusive mode applications priority 
• Click Apply and test again. 

4. Restart Windows Audio services 

• Press Win + R, type services.msc, press Enter. 
• Find and Restart: Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder 
• Test internal speakers again. 

5. Repair Windows system files  

• Right-click Start > Windows Terminal
• Run each command as administrator: sfc /scannow and DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth 
• Restart the PC and test Start again. 

While my initial response may not fully resolve the issue, I truly appreciate your cooperation as we work together toward identifying the most effective solution. Thank you so much for your understanding. 

I hope these steps help you recover audio on your internal speakers and prevent the issue from recurring. Wishing you a smooth experience with stable sound output going forward. 

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Answer 2

Hi,

I'm sorry about the situation, let's try to understand the problem.

What is the laptop model?

Access the device manager > sound, video and game controllers tab, take a screenshot and post it here?

If it's a desktop, is the sound connected to a monitor or headphones? If so, what type of connection is it: jack, USB or HDMI?

Thanks

Answer 3

Follow these steps in Windows 11 to restore sound from the built‑in speakers (without external speakers):

1. Check physical connections and volume

• Make sure no headphones or audio jack is plugged in; some PCs mute internal speakers when something is connected.
• Confirm speaker power (for built‑in laptop speakers this is automatic).
• Turn volume up and ensure mute is off in Windows and in any app being used.

2. Verify the correct output device
3. Select the Speakers icon on the taskbar.
4. Select the arrow to open the list of audio devices.
5. Choose the device that corresponds to the PC’s internal speakers (not HDMI monitor or external device).

If multiple devices are listed and the wrong one (for example, a monitor without speakers) is selected, there will be no sound until an external speaker is attached.

3. Check sound settings and that devices are enabled
4. Select Start > Settings > System > Sound.
5. Under Output, select the internal speakers device.
6. Select the settings icon to open Volume mixer and make sure:
   • System and app volumes are not muted (no "x" on the sliders).
7. Under Advanced, select More sound settings.
8. On the Playback tab, select the internal speakers, choose Properties.
9. Under Device usage, ensure Use this device (enable) is selected.
10. Set the default audio device
11. Go to Start > Settings > System > Sound.
12. In Output, select the internal speakers. Selecting them sets them as the default device so Windows uses them instead of HDMI/USB outputs.
13. Turn off audio enhancements (in case they are causing issues)
14. Start > Settings > Sound.
15. In Output, select the internal speakers.
16. Scroll to Advanced settings and set Audio enhancements to Off.
17. Run the audio troubleshooter
18. Select Start > Settings > System.
19. Select Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
20. In the Audio section, select Run and follow the prompts.
21. Update or reinstall audio drivers
22. In the taskbar search box, type device manager and open it.
23. Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
24. Right‑click the internal audio device (for example, Realtek, Intel, or High Definition Audio):
    • Select Update driver > Search automatically for drivers and complete the wizard.
25. If no newer driver is found or the issue persists:
    • Right‑click the audio device again, choose Uninstall device.
    • Select Attempt to remove the driver for this device, then Uninstall.
    • Restart the PC so Windows reinstalls the driver automatically.
26. If needed, in Device Manager again:
    • Right‑click the audio device > Update driver > Browse my computer for drivers > Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer and select the generic Windows audio driver.
27. Install Windows Updates
28. Select Start > Settings > Windows Update.
29. Select Check for updates and install any available updates.
30. Restart the PC and test sound from the internal speakers.

If internal speakers still produce no sound while external speakers work, this can indicate a hardware issue with the built‑in speakers and may require device manufacturer support.

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References:

• Fix sound or audio problems in Windows
• I have no sound on an new LG Gram laptop - Microsoft Q&A
• Logitech G560 Speakers detect audio (volume bar moves) but no sound comes out - Microsoft Q&A
• Audio issues after win11 25h2 update - Microsoft Q&A
• How to fix this. no audio device is installed - Microsoft Q&A
• My audio inputs and outputs suddenly disappeared, how do i fix this? - Microsoft Q&A