Windows 11 Sound not working? Here’s How to Fix

Windows 11 Sound not working is one of the most frustrating issues in the new OS. It can arise at any time, like when you are watching a movie or presenting something at your workplace. Generally, no sound issue surges up after a Windows update. After an OS update, sound drivers might not be compatible with it immediately until you update the drivers too.

There could be some other reasons for no sound in Windows 11. In some rare cases, it could also be a hardware problem. In this post, we will list out every possible solution that you can apply to fix Windows 11 sound not working issue.

Check if it is Hardware Problem

Before taking any troubleshooting step, verify that the Windows 11 no sound is not because of the hardware failure. If the sound issue is on the in-built speakers of the laptop, try attaching an external speaker or headphones and check whether the sound is still not coming. If it is the case, then it is undoubtedly a software or driver issue.

In the case of a PC, you might be already using the external speaker. Check its wires are plugged correctly into the jack. If possible, check whether the sound is working or not using any other external speaker or headphones.

Check Volume Mixer

If you are sure it is not a hardware problem, the next step is to perform a basic task, i.e., checking the system volume mixer. For that, follow these steps:

1. On the Windows 11 taskbar, look for the volume icon at the extreme right, right-click on it, and choose Open volume mixer.
2. On the Volume Mixer window, ensure that the volume level is appropriate for every running application and system.

Try running the Troubleshooter

To fix various system problems, Windows 11 comes with an in-built troubleshooter feature. In the case of Windows 11 no sound issue, you can try running the troubleshoot that might find out the hindrances and fix it automatically. 

Here is how you can run the troubleshooter in Windows 11:

1. Open the Windows 11 Settings from the Start Menu.
2. Under the System tab, click on the Troubleshoot option.
3. Next, click on Other troubleshooters.
4. Click on the Run button next to Playing Audio.
5. Choose the output device on which sound is not working and click Next.
6. It will start detecting the problems.
7. After running the troubleshoot, it will suggest you a few solutions to try.

Try Changing the Sound Format

Sound Format can also be a cause of the Windows 11 sound problem. For that, you need to change the default sound format of your system.

1. Navigate to Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound.
2. Click on Sound settings.
3. Under the Playback tab, double-click on your headphones option.
4. Go to the Advanced tab, and from the drop-down menu, select the sound format that fits your headphones. You can test it by clicking on the Test option.

Update Audio Drivers

One of the most common culprits for the Windows 11 sound not working is the outdated driver. Drivers are the medium to convey the essential information about the OS to the connected hardware. If the OS is updated, but drivers aren’t, they will have the same old information and cause the compatibility issue. So, to resolve the sound issue on Windows 11, you must update the audio drivers.

Though it isn’t hard to update drivers using this way, it is still better to get a Driver Updater program so that your system’s driver gets automatically updated whenever required.

Uninstall Audio Drivers

If still, the sound is not working on Windows 10 device, it might be because the driver got corrupted or some files might be deleted. In such a case updating the drivers might not solve the issue. Try uninstalling and then reinstalling the drivers. Here are the steps for that:

1. Navigate to Device Manager
2. Under Audio inputs and outputs, right-click on Speaker/Headphone and select Uninstall.

After uninstalling the Audio drivers, you can reinstall them from the manufacturer’s website, system update, or use the third-party driver updater programs.

Adjust Communication Settings

If you experience no sound while communicating with someone, you must adjust the communication settings.

1. On the windows search bar, search, and open Control Panel.
2. Go to Hardware and Sound
3. Select Sound settings
4. Under the Communications tab, click on Do nothing bullet point.
5. Click Apply and OK.

Restart Audio Services

Restarting the audio services might fix the audio issues on your system. For that, follow these steps:

1. Launch the Run Command Box.
2. Types Services.msc and hit the enter key.
3. Look for the Windows Audio service, right-click on it, and select Restart.
4. After that, reboot your computer and check if the no sound problem is solved.

Summing Up

A computer system is incomplete without a voice. The sound not working in Windows 11 can be troublesome, but fortunately, it can be resolved quickly by following the fixes provided in this guide. If the problem is with the hardware, it is recommended to contact the manufacturer’s service center and get it changed.

Peter Brown

Peter is an Electrical Engineer whose primary interest is tinkering with his computer. He is passionate about Windows 10 Platform and enjoys writing tips and tutorials about it.