The output volume tab is not working?

Question

The output volume tab is greyed out and my volume is not working through my laptop. How do I fix it?

Answer 1

Hi Scott Gabel,

Additional to DaveM121's suggestions, have you installed audio drivers for your system?

If you did not do so, please navigate to your laptop support page to download and install audio drivers.

If you have trouble finding the right one, please give me your laptop model so I can help you look that up.

Thank you for your time.

Answer 2

1

Many people are reporting this for the last few days, if this problem happened after the latest update, the best first option would be to open the Settings app, do to Windows Update - Update History, scroll to the bottom of that window and select 'Uninstall Updates, then from there, see if you can uninstall the latest update.

2

If that does not resolve the problem.

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.

.

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

Answer 3

Try the following steps in order on Windows 10 to restore output volume control and sound:

1. Check the correct output device
2. Select the Speakers icon on the taskbar.
3. Select the arrow to open the list of audio devices.
4. Make sure the preferred device (laptop speakers or desired output) is selected.
5. Check hardware and basic volume
6. Verify the laptop is not muted and volume keys are not turning sound off.
7. If external speakers/headphones are connected, check all cables are firmly plugged in and in the correct jack.
8. If headphones are plugged in, unplug them and test again (some systems disable speakers when headphones are connected).
9. Check sound settings and mute state
10. Right-click the Speakers icon on the taskbar and select Open Volume mixer.
11. Ensure none of the sliders are muted (no red circle with a line through it). If muted, click to unmute.
12. Select Start > Settings > System > Sound.
13. Under Output, select the laptop speakers, then select Device properties.
14. Make sure the Disable checkbox is cleared for the output device.
15. Set the correct default audio device
16. In the taskbar search box, type control panel and open it.
17. Select Hardware and Sound > Sound.
18. On the Playback tab, select the laptop speakers (or correct device), right-click and choose Set as Default Device, then select OK.

If the output device was disabled, not selected as default, or muted at the device/app level, these steps typically re-enable the volume slider and restore sound.

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References:

• Fix sound or audio problems in Windows
• No audio with Windows 11 - 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