Laptop sound stops when volume is down, the wrong output is picked, drivers fail, or hardware is faulty—check settings, outputs, and drivers first.
You press play, the video moves, but the speakers stay quiet. If you came here asking “why don’t I have sound on my laptop,” you want fixes that work. This guide walks you through checks, deeper steps, and habits so audio plays through speakers, headphones, HDMI, or Bluetooth.
Each step is short and clear. Start at the top and move down until sound returns. These steps work on Windows and macOS; paths differ a bit, and both sets appear.
Fast checks to try now
- Turn up volume on the laptop, the app, and any media player. Unmute everything.
- Pick the device you want: speakers, headphones, monitor, or Bluetooth.
- Unplug and re-plug the jack, USB dongle, or HDMI cable. Test another port.
- Toggle Bluetooth off and on; reconnect your buds or headset.
- Restart the laptop. Small driver glitches clear with a reboot.
- Test with a known good file or a web clip so you rule out broken media.
Common causes and where to fix
| Symptom | Quick check | Where to change |
|---|---|---|
| No sound anywhere | Master mute or low volume | Windows: System > Sound • macOS: System Settings > Sound |
| Headphones silent | Wrong output picked | Output device menu in Sound settings |
| HDMI monitor silent | App using laptop speakers | Set monitor or TV as default output |
| Bluetooth drops | Low battery or stray pairing | Forget and pair again; keep one device active |
| Only some apps silent | Per-app volume low | Windows mixer or app audio slider |
| After an update | Driver roll-back needed | Device Manager (Windows) or reinstall on macOS |
| Jack crackles | Dust or loose plug | Clean tip, reseat, try a second set |
No sound on my laptop: causes and fixes
Check volume, mute, and app sliders
Slide the main volume up, then check the app’s slider. On Windows, open the speaker icon and make sure the per-app mixer shows sound bars when you play audio. On macOS, press the volume buttons or open Control Center and check Output.
Pick the right output device
When a monitor, USB headset, or Bluetooth device connects, the system may switch outputs. Open Sound settings and pick the device you want. If audio still routes wrong, remove the device, wait a few seconds, and connect again. Microsoft’s help page explains these steps; see the Windows sound troubleshooter.
Test with headphones or Bluetooth
If built-in speakers are quiet but headphones work, speakers may be muted or damaged. If the jack works but Bluetooth does not, unpair the buds, reboot, and pair fresh. Keep only one active sink to avoid switching loops.
Restart audio services and drivers
On Windows, a stuck audio service can mute the stack. Right-click Start, open Task Manager, and restart “Windows Audio” and “Windows Audio Endpoint Builder.” If that fails, reboot. On macOS, a reboot resets Core Audio for most cases.
Update or reinstall the audio driver
Open Device Manager, expand “Sound, video and game controllers,” right-click the device, and pick Update driver. If sound broke after an update, try Roll back. If that fails, uninstall the device and reboot so Windows loads a fresh driver. On a Mac, update macOS and reinstall any dock or interface add-on.
Run built-in diagnostics
Windows ships a guided tool that scans for mutes, disabled devices, and driver issues. Launch the audio troubleshooter from Settings > System > Sound. For Mac, Apple’s help page lays out simple checks for output, device selection, and cables; see Mac speakers not working.
Troubleshooting by connection type
Headphone jack steps
- Push the plug in firmly; many jacks click past a small detent.
- Twist the plug once to scrape oxidation off the contacts.
- Try a second headset so you rule out a broken cable.
- Open Sound settings and pick “Headphones” or the codec name.
- If crackle or one-ear audio persists, the jack or flex cable may be worn.
USB and HDMI audio
- For USB headsets or docks, use a direct port on the laptop for a test.
- Swap the cable; thin USB-C or HDMI leads drop signal under strain.
- Pick the HDMI device as the default output and match sample rates with the monitor or TV.
- Turn off the display’s mute and raise its volume; many screens ship low.
Bluetooth headphones and earbuds
- Charge the buds and the case. Low power triggers cutouts.
- Forget the device, then pair again from Sound settings.
- Keep only one laptop or phone paired at a time to stop tug-of-war.
- Turn off hands-free telephony in Bluetooth device options if the headset keeps switching to a low-quality mode during calls.
Deeper fixes on Windows
Reset the sound stack
In Settings > System > Sound, open All sound devices, disable the current output, then enable it again. Set it as default and test a clip.
Clean install the driver
Download the vendor audio driver if the inbox one fails. Uninstall the device in Device Manager and check “Delete the driver software.” Reboot, then install the vendor package and reboot again.
Turn off enhancements you don’t need
In Sound > Device properties, turn off Spatial audio and extras while you test. Some add-ons mute or compress output on older drivers.
Deeper fixes on macOS
Quit “coreaudiod” in Activity Monitor to refresh audio, then reboot. In Audio MIDI Setup, match format and rate to your device. If sound returns only in safe mode, remove the add-on that loads with normal boot and update macOS.
Symptom-to-fix quick guide
| Symptom | Likely cause | First fixes |
|---|---|---|
| Speakers quiet, headphones fine | Muted output or blown speaker | Pick speakers; raise volume; test with a tone |
| Nothing plays after update | Driver mismatch | Roll back or reinstall audio driver |
| Bluetooth stutters | Low battery or 2.4 GHz noise | Charge, move closer, re-pair |
| HDMI silent | Wrong default device | Set the display as default and match rates |
| Apps show bars, no sound | Disabled endpoint | Enable device in All sound devices |
| Jack plays one side only | Worn plug or socket | Try a second cable; inspect the port |
When the issue is hardware
If no output works across speakers, headphones, USB, and Bluetooth, the amplifier stage or a trace on the board may be bad. Water, a hard drop, or a clogged jack can do this. A port that wiggles or a speaker that rattles under low volume points to physical wear.
Physical checks you can do
- Shine a light in the jack and clear lint with a wooden pick.
- Press lightly around the speaker grills; a buzz under light bass hints at damage.
- Run a built-in hardware scan if your brand includes one in BIOS or a vendor app.
When to book repair
Book a repair if the jack never detects a plug, the speakers crackle even at low volume, or the device only plays through one channel across apps and users. Back up first; service may replace the board or the speaker module.
Prevention tips that stick
- Keep audio drivers current and avoid random driver packs.
- Disable auto-connect on spare earbuds so your laptop stops switching mid-song.
- Before a big call, test a short clip and pick the correct output.
- Update the OS during a calm window so you can verify sound right away.
Still no sound? Next moves
If you reached this point and sound is still out, gather details for a service ticket: laptop model, OS version, audio device name, and where it fails (speakers, jack, HDMI, or Bluetooth). Note what you tried, then seek service from the maker. With the steps above, most laptops get sound back without a bench visit. Fast.