Cannot get sound from my speakers or headphone

Question

Just had a software update to windows 11. Could not connect output of computer to output speakers. Also it appears that windows was unable to find any output for the computers built in speakers. As a result, the computer does not have any sound output at this time. How can I get my sound back?

Answer 1

Hi Nancy Mraz,

Thanks for your post. I’m happy to help look into this with you. Have you already tried the Q&A Assist suggestions? In addition, please try the steps below:

Step 1 – Check if Windows Audio services are running

Windows Updates can sometimes stop audio services, which results in no output devices showing at all.

1. Press Win + R, type “services.msc”, press Enter
2. Locate:
   • “Windows Audio”
   • “Windows Audio Endpoint Builder”
3. Confirm both are:
   • Status: Running
   • Startup type: Automatic
4. If either is stopped > right‑click > Start
5. Restart the PC and test sound

Step 2 – Check if the audio device is hidden or disabled

If Windows cannot “find” built‑in speakers, the device may be disabled or hidden after the update.

1. Open “Device Manager”
2. Click View > “Show hidden devices”
3. Expand “Sound, video and game controllers”
4. Also expand “System devices” (look for Intel Smart Sound Technology, Audio Controller, or similar)
5. If any audio‑related device shows:
   • Down arrow > right‑click > Enable device
   • Yellow warning > note it for the next reply

Step 3 – Hardware reset check

If this is a laptop, a Windows update can expose a firmware‑level audio reset issue.

1. Shut down the PC
2. Unplug power and all external devices
3. Hold the Power button for 15 seconds
4. Power on and test sound again

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".    

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Answer 2

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.

Answer 3

Use the built-in Windows 11 audio troubleshooting steps to restore sound.

1. Run the Windows audio troubleshooter
   • Open the Get Help app using the "Run the troubleshooter in Get Help" entry for audio.
   • Let it run diagnostics and apply any fixes it suggests.
2. Check and select the correct output device
   • Select the Speakers icon on the taskbar.
   • Select the arrow to the right of the volume slider (Select a sound output).
   • Choose the device that should play sound (built-in speakers, external speakers, or headphones) and test audio.
3. Set the default audio device in Settings
   • Select Start > Settings > System > Sound.
   • Under Output, select the device that should play sound. Selecting it sets it as the default.
   • If using USB/HDMI speakers or headphones, make sure that device is selected instead of an external monitor (especially if the monitor has no speakers).
4. Install all Windows Updates
   • Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
   • If updates are available, select Install now.
   • Restart the PC and test sound again.
5. Update or reinstall the audio driver
   • Press Start, type device manager, and open Device Manager.
   • Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
   • Right-click the built-in audio device (for example, Realtek or similar) and select Update driver > Search automatically for drivers and complete the wizard.
   • If that does not help, right-click the audio device again, select Uninstall device, check Attempt to remove the driver for this device, and select Uninstall.
   • Restart the PC so Windows reinstalls the audio driver automatically.
6. Try the generic Windows audio driver or roll back after update
   • In Device Manager, right-click the audio device > Update driver > Browse my computer for drivers > Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
   • Select the generic audio driver listed and install it.
   • If sound stopped working immediately after a Windows Update, open the device Properties > Driver tab and use Roll Back Driver if available.

If none of these steps restore sound, check the PC or motherboard manufacturer’s support page for the latest Windows 11 audio drivers and install them.

---

References:

• Fix sound or audio problems in Windows
• Logitech G560 Speakers detect audio (volume bar moves) but no sound comes out - Microsoft Q&A
• cannot increase volume even if trouble shooter updates it - 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
• How to get Win 11 to permanently recognise a sound output source (or not recognise one permanently) - Microsoft Q&A