when i bought my desktop i never had any sound how do i get sound

Question

when i bought my computer it never had sound do i have to get speakers for it yes or no please

Answer 1

If your computer is a laptop, it has built-in speakers for sound.

If your computer is a desktop, you have to purchase speakers for sound.

Answer 2

Dear Theresa Nance, 

I’m sorry you’ve been dealing with this since the day you got the desktop. At this point, I recommend that you review and try the steps provided in the AI generated answer on your thread. That reply typically include the most relevant checks for this scenario.  

To help narrow this down a bit further, could you please let me know the following: 

• What is the brand and model of your desktop, and if applicable, your monitor as well? 
• When you play a video or music, do you see the volume bar moving in Windows? 
• If you plug in a headset or headphones, does any sound play? 
• In Settings > System > Sound, under Output, do you see any available playback device listed? 
• In Device Manager, under Sound, video and game controllers, do you see an audio device listed there, or any item with a warning symbol?  

While checking that, please try the steps below: 

1. Run the built-in audio troubleshooter 

• On Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, then run Playing Audio (or let the Get Help app run the audio diagnostics if prompted).  

2. Confirm the active playback device 

• Open Settings > System > Sound and review the device shown under Output. 
• If more than one device appears, select each one and use Test to check whether sound is detected through that output.  

3. Check whether the audio device is detected in Device Manager 

• Right-click Start > Device Manager > expand Sound, video and game controllers. 
• If the audio device appears, right-click it and choose Update driver. 
• If it does not work after that, right-click it again, choose Uninstall device, then restart the PC so Windows can detect it again. 

4. Install Windows updates 

• Go to Settings > Windows Update and install all available updates, including any optional driver-related updates if shown. 

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 check the audio settings and detect the correct playback device on your desktop. Wishing you a smooth experience with Windows 11 and that the sound issue will be resolved successfully. 

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Answer 3

Yes, external speakers or headphones are usually needed for sound on a desktop unless the monitor or the PC case has built‑in speakers.

Before buying anything, check these:

1. Look at the monitor
   • If it has built‑in speakers, make sure the volume on the monitor itself is turned up and not muted.
   • In Windows 11, select the Speakers icon on the taskbar, select the arrow next to the volume slider, and choose the monitor (or another correct device) as the output.
2. Look at the desktop tower
   • Many desktop towers do not include built‑in speakers. If there is no audio grille or headphone jack labeled as a speaker output on the front, then separate speakers or headphones are needed.
3. Check Windows sound settings
   • Select Start > Settings > System > Sound.
   • Under Output, select the device you want to use for playback. If nothing suitable is listed, external speakers or headphones must be connected.

If the desktop and monitor do not have built‑in speakers, then yes, separate speakers or headphones are required to get sound.

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References:

• Fix sound or audio problems in Windows
• How to get Win 11 to permanently recognise a sound output source (or not recognise one permanently) - Microsoft Q&A
• Logitech G560 Speakers detect audio (volume bar moves) but no sound comes out - Microsoft Q&A
• My audio inputs and outputs suddenly disappeared, how do i fix this? - 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