Laptop audio fails due to mute, wrong output, outdated or disabled drivers, app sound settings, pending updates, or a speaker or headphone fault.
Your laptop’s sound can go silent for simple reasons. A slipped output setting. A muted app. A driver that needs a restart. This guide gives you clear, fast checks that solve most cases in minutes. If the issue runs deeper, you’ll find step-by-step paths for Windows and MacBook models, plus hardware cues that separate software glitches from speaker trouble.
Laptop Audio Not Working — Common Causes
Sound breaks when software points audio to the wrong place or a component stops responding. Bluetooth pairs and steals output. HDMI sends audio to a TV that isn’t on. Dock drivers clash with the built-in card. Apps can also set their own volume to zero. The fixes below walk through the quick wins first.
Quick Checks And Where To Click
| Symptom | What To Try | Where To Click |
|---|---|---|
| No audio anywhere | Raise volume, unmute, pick built-in speakers | Windows: Settings > System > Sound > Output. Mac: System Settings > Sound > Output |
| Only one app is silent | Raise app volume, check per-app mixer | Windows: Volume Mixer. Mac: app’s own volume and Sound settings |
| Bluetooth earbuds connected | Disconnect or set as output on purpose | Windows: Bluetooth & Devices. Mac: Control Center > Bluetooth |
| HDMI or USB-C dock attached | Select the device that matches your screen or pick internal speakers | Windows: Sound > Choose where to play sound. Mac: Sound > Output |
| Muted keyboard key or FN key | Toggle mute key; raise volume keys | Use the laptop’s media keys |
Per-App Volume And Mixers
Many “no sound” reports trace back to a single muted app. On Windows, right-click the speaker icon and open the Volume Mixer. Raise sliders for the app and the device. On macOS, set the app’s own volume and confirm the chosen output in System Settings > Sound.
Windows: Fix No Sound On A Laptop
Run The Built-In Troubleshooter
Windows can repair driver and service faults on its own. Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, then run the audio troubleshooter. You can also launch the Get Help tool from Microsoft’s sound guide and let it test playback, drivers, and services automatically.
Select The Correct Output
Under Settings > System > Sound, choose your output device. If you see a TV, HDMI monitor, USB headset, and “Speakers (Realtek)” all at once, pick the one you’re using. If the wrong device is default, use “Set as default” to stick with your choice.
Update Or Reinstall The Driver
Drivers can hang after an update or sleep. In Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers, right-click your audio device, pick Uninstall device, and restart to reload a clean driver. If problems began after a new driver, open Properties > Driver and use Roll Back. You can also install the latest package from your laptop maker’s support page.
Turn Off Exclusive Mode And Effects
Some apps grab exclusive control. In Sound > More sound settings > Playback > Device > Properties, clear exclusive mode boxes. On the Enhancements tab, turn off extra effects while testing. Keep Spatial audio off until sound is stable.
Check App Permissions And Output
Communications apps can move audio to the wrong device. In Windows settings, search for “App volume and device preferences.” Pick the right output and input per app. Restart the app after changes.
Mac: Fix No Sound On A MacBook
Pick Built-In Speakers And Unmute
Go to Apple menu > System Settings > Sound > Output. Choose “MacBook Speakers” or “Internal Speakers,” raise the Output volume slider, and clear Mute. Apple lists these steps in its Mac speaker help page.
Quit Core Audio And Try Again
If sound stops after sleep or app crashes, restart the audio process. Open Terminal and run: sudo killall coreaudiod then enter your password. The process restarts in a second and sound often returns.
Remove Conflicts From Bluetooth And Displays
AirPods or a TV can steal output. Click Control Center > Sound and pick your target. If a display is connected by HDMI or USB-C and has speakers, it may take priority. Choose the device you want in Sound > Output and test again.
Reboot And Update macOS
A simple restart can clear a stuck driver. Then open System Settings > General > Software Update and install pending updates. Audio fixes do ship in point releases.
HDMI, USB Audio, And Docks
Modern laptops juggle many outputs: internal speakers, 3.5-mm jack, USB headsets, docks, and monitors. If a device is plugged in, many systems move audio there. Pick the exact target each time you connect a new screen or hub. For HDMI, confirm the TV or monitor volume isn’t muted and that its input is active. For USB headsets and mics, set the headset as both output and input to avoid splits that mute calls.
Match Formats And Sample Rates
Rarely, format mismatches block playback. On Windows, open the device Properties > Advanced and pick a common format like 24-bit, 48000 Hz. On macOS, open Audio MIDI Setup and set the same rate for input and output on the device you’re using.
Hardware Clues You Shouldn’t Ignore
Software fixes won’t restore a torn speaker cone or a damaged jack. If headphones work but speakers don’t, the speakers or the flex cable may be the issue. If a gentle wiggle on a 3.5-mm plug makes sound cut in and out, the jack may be worn. Buzzing that scales with CPU load hints at interference near the speaker. When any of these signs appear, back up your data and plan a hardware check.
Step-By-Step Paths You Can Save
Windows: Clean Reinstall For Audio
1) Right-click Start > Device Manager. 2) Expand Sound, video and game controllers. 3) Right-click your audio device > Uninstall device > Delete the driver if offered. 4) Restart. Windows will load a fresh driver. 5) Run the troubleshooter once more for good measure.
Mac: Safe Steps That Fix Many Cases
1) Shut down the MacBook. 2) Start it up again and test a local audio file. 3) Disconnect all USB, hubs, and displays. 4) Forget Bluetooth devices you’re not using. 5) Reset sound output to Internal Speakers and test YouTube and a local file.
Common Situations And Clear Actions
| Scenario | Likely Cause | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| Video plays, call apps silent | App points to a different device | Set app output to the same device as system |
| Headphones work, speakers don’t | Speaker hardware or cable fault | Test with external speaker; plan a repair |
| TV over HDMI is quiet | TV volume or ARC mode not set | Raise TV volume; pick the right HDMI input mode |
| USB headset mic works, no music | Only input switched to USB | Set USB device as output and input |
| Sound drops after sleep | Service hung | Windows: Restart audio service; Mac: restart coreaudiod |
Keep Sound Stable Day To Day
Simple Habits That Prevent Surprises
Give new hubs and headsets a quick sound test when you first plug them in. Note the exact device name that should be selected. Keep one known-good 3.5-mm headset handy for checks. Label your Bluetooth gear so you don’t route sound to the wrong earbuds by accident.
Updates And Drivers That Help
Install OS updates on a regular cadence. Get audio drivers from your laptop maker over random driver sites. When a driver works well, keep a copy so you can roll back. For gaming headsets, install the vendor app only if you need custom features. Too many audio helpers can collide.
Before big updates or driver installs, create a restore point in Windows or a Time Machine backup on a Mac. Keep a copy of the installer that works for your model in a labeled folder. If a new package breaks audio, roll back in minutes instead of hunting the web for a random file. Keep notes during fixes. Save screenshots of settings.
Docking And Meeting Etiquette
Before calls, open your sound menu and confirm the same device is set for output and input. Mute in the app, not by slamming the laptop mute key, so you don’t forget it later. After the meeting, switch back to built-in speakers so the next video doesn’t route to your bagged earbuds.
Extra Windows Settings That Quiet Sound
Communications Volume Setting
Windows can lower audio when it detects calls. Open Control Panel > Sound > Communications and choose “Do nothing.” Apply and test; music should no longer fade during calls.
Enhancement And Loudness Controls
Open Sound > More sound settings > Playback > Device > Properties. On Enhancements, either disable all or try only Loudness equalization for low-level speakers.
If Sound Is Distorted Or Delayed
Pops and lag point to format mismatches, wireless congestion, or effects. For Bluetooth, keep the laptop and earbuds close and away from thick walls. For wired gear, swap the cable and try another port on the dock. On Windows and macOS, match sample rates for input and output before you launch a call.
A Fast Software Versus Hardware Test
Play a system alert. Then plug in a known-good wired headset. If you hear sound there but not from speakers, use a small USB audio adapter while you arrange a repair.
When A Repair Makes Sense
After you’ve ruled out mixers, drivers, and outputs, look for these signs: no speaker device appears at all, strong crackle at every volume, or visible damage at the grille. If your laptop is under warranty, schedule a hardware check. Out of warranty, compare the repair cost with the price of a small USB audio adapter as a bridge solution.