For Asus laptop sound issues, check output device, volume, drivers, audio services, and Bluetooth before deeper fixes.
You press play and nothing. No ping from system alerts, no music, no meeting audio. This guide walks you through checks and deeper fixes that solve most cases on an Asus notebook running Windows 10 or Windows 11. Begin with step one.
Fix No Sound On Asus Laptop: Quick Checks
Start with the basics. Small settings flip-ups cause many silent laptops.
Pick The Right Output
Click the volume icon on the taskbar. Use the small arrow to switch to the speakers or headset you want. In Settings > System > Sound, confirm the output device matches what you’re using. If the wrong device is selected, apps play to nowhere.
Raise Volume And Unmute
Press the keyboard volume keys. On many Asus models, Fn + F10 mutes, Fn + F11 lowers, and Fn + F12 raises the level. In Sound settings, check both device volume and the app mixer. Open the mixer from the taskbar volume flyout and raise sliders for any silent app.
Unplug And Replug
Remove any 3.5 mm plug, USB headset, or HDMI cable and reseat it. Try a second headset to rule out a dead accessory. If using a monitor over HDMI or DisplayPort, set that display as the output only if it has speakers.
Disable Bluetooth Temporarily
If paired earbuds grabbed audio in the background, Windows routes sound to them. Toggle Bluetooth off, then test speakers. Reconnect later when you need the buds.
Test A Sample
In Sound settings, select your device and click Test. A meter should bounce. If it moves but you hear nothing from built-in speakers, jump to the hardware section below.
Run Windows’ Built-In Audio Troubleshooter
Windows ships with a tool that spots common issues and applies fixes. Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, then run Playing Audio. Follow the prompts and accept driver or configuration suggestions. This tool catches muted devices, disabled endpoints, and mis-routed outputs. It’s safe to run. You can also use Microsoft’s step-by-step guide for Windows audio fixes here: Fix sound problems in Windows.
Update Or Roll Back Audio Drivers
Drivers sit between Windows and your sound chip. A recent update can break playback, and an old one can miss bug fixes. Use one of the paths below.
Update Through Windows Update
Open Settings > Windows Update and install available driver updates. Many Asus models ship Realtek or Intel hardware that gets fixes through Windows Update.
Get The Right Package For Your Model
Go to your model’s download page on the Asus site and fetch the latest audio package. Install, reboot, and test. If the device is recent and uses MyASUS, you can also fetch recommended packages through the app in the Live Update section.
Roll Back A Bad Driver
If sound died right after an update, roll back. Open Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers, open your audio device properties, and use Driver > Roll Back. If the button is greyed out, uninstall the device and restart to reload the prior package from Windows.
Restart Windows Audio Services (Copy-Paste Commands)
When services hang, restarting them helps. Run these in a terminal opened as Administrator. They stop and start the core audio services without a full reboot.
net stop audiosrv
net stop audioendpointbuilder
net start audioendpointbuilder
net start audiosrvIf the restart fails, open services.msc, set Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder to Automatic, then try again. Check their Dependencies tab and make sure RPC and related items are running.
Check App-Level Mixers And Exclusive Mode
Some apps mute themselves or grab the device exclusively. Right-click the volume icon, open the volume mixer, and raise levels for your browser, media player, or meeting app. In your speaker properties under the Advanced tab, clear “Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device” and test. Toggle spatial audio off and on to refresh the pipeline.
Rule Out Hardware With Safe Tests
Plug in a known-good USB headset. If that works, the issue likely lies with the internal speakers, codec, or its driver. If nothing plays through any device, the stack is damaged at the OS or service level.
Speakers Work Only On Headphones?
On some models, the jack detect switch sticks. Gently insert and remove the plug a few times to free it. Power off, hold the power button for 30 seconds, then boot and re-test.
External Monitor Silent?
In Sound settings, pick the monitor name with “NVIDIA High Definition Audio,” “Intel Display Audio,” or similar. Then use the monitor’s own volume control. If the monitor lacks speakers, pick the laptop speakers instead.
Repair Corrupted System Files (Advanced)
If updates or third-party tools damaged audio components, System File Checker and DISM can repair them. Open an elevated terminal and run:
sfc /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealthLet each command reach 100%. Reboot and test sound again. If SFC reports fixed files on each run, repeat until it reports no integrity violations.
Reset Sound Settings Cleanly
Audio enhancers and custom EQ tools sometimes leave odd states. In Settings > System > Sound, select your device, turn off enhancements, and reset spatial audio. In More sound settings, on the tab named “Enhancements,” uncheck any effect suites, then test. In the Levels tab, raise any muted sliders and unmute balance left/right.
BIOS, Hotkeys, And Firmware Notes
Asus models ship with function key controls via the hotkey service. Use MyASUS > System Diagnosis to test the speakers and update the hotkey package if the volume keys stop responding. While rare, a BIOS update listed as “audio stability” can resolve codec glitches. Apply only from the official page for your exact model and keep AC power connected throughout.
Clean Boot To Catch Conflicts
Third-party sound tools, overlays, and virtual audio cables can hijack output. Use a clean boot to isolate conflicts. In msconfig, choose Selective startup, hide Microsoft services, disable the rest, and reboot. If sound returns, re-enable items in batches to find the culprit.
When Windows Says Output Is Working But You Hear Nothing
If the device meter moves yet speakers stay silent, try this checklist:
- Disable third-party EQ or “virtual surround” tools and restart.
- Open speaker Properties > Levels and raise all sliders.
- Switch sample rate to 24-bit, 48000 Hz on the tab named “Advanced,” then test.
- Create a new Windows user profile and test to rule out profile corruption.
- For Realtek UAD packages, install the companion console from the Microsoft Store so toggles appear.
Common Causes And Fast Fixes (Quick Table)
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Fast Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No sound anywhere | Wrong output or stuck services | Pick correct device; restart audio services |
| Bluetooth earbuds connected, no speaker audio | Bluetooth routed output | Turn off Bluetooth; reconnect only when needed |
| Only headphones work | Jack detect stuck or speaker cable loose | Reinsert plug; power drain; service if persistent |
| Audio died after update | Buggy driver | Roll back in Device Manager or install Asus package |
| App plays silently | Per-app volume or exclusive mode | Raise app slider; disable exclusive mode |
| Monitor has no sound | Display lacks speakers or wrong device picked | Select laptop speakers or a display with audio |
Model-Specific Tips
Gaming lines (ROG/Strix/TUF) often ship with add-ons like Sonic Studio or Armoury Crate. If toggles in those suites mute effects or reroute output, reset their profiles or reinstall. Thin-and-light models using Realtek UAD drivers rely on the companion app from the Store; make sure it’s present so the driver exposes the right endpoints. If your model uses Intel Smart Sound Technology, keep that driver current through Windows Update or your model’s download page to avoid device failures.
HDMI, USB, And Bluetooth Quirks To Know
Each connection type behaves differently. HDMI sends audio to the display or receiver, so Windows may auto-switch outputs when a cable plugs in; pick the device you want and test. USB headsets act as their own sound card and often have an in-line mute or dial—check both. Bluetooth headsets expose two entries: a hands-free call profile and a stereo music profile. Pick the stereo one for clean playback.
If you hear stutters on wireless earbuds, move closer to the laptop and keep 2.4 GHz dongles on the opposite side to cut interference. On Windows 11, LE Audio improves call quality with compatible buds; if yours lack LE Audio, the classic stereo entry still works.
Safe Mode, Restore Point, And Last Resorts
Booting to Safe Mode loads a minimal set of drivers. If sound returns there with a basic device, a third-party add-on likely caused the problem. Use a recent Restore Point to roll back a change that broke audio. As a last step before a full reset, create a new local user account and test there; if audio works in the new profile, migrate files and settings to it.
When To Reinstall Windows
If none of the steps bring sound back, you may have an OS layer fault that persists across reboots and driver swaps. Back up files, then use Reset this PC with the “Keep my files” option. After the reset, install chipset, graphics, and audio drivers from the Asus download page, run Windows Update, and test before adding third-party audio tools.
Helpful Official Resources
For model pages and driver downloads, use Asus’s article on troubleshooting sound. Keep it handy when you update audio packages or change hardware.