I’m using Windows 10. When I try to access a video on MSN or Yahoo, for example, I get the visual portion, but not the sound. This just started happening recently. For years before that, I got both video and sound. What can I do to correct this?
— From Microsoft Community
We received this question from a user about audio is not working on Windows 10. Audio issues like this can be frustrating. In this guide, we will cover the possible causes and explore 8 effective ways to fix the issue.
Part 1: Why Is My Audio Not Working on My Windows 10?
If your audio suddenly has no sound on Windows 10, it may be caused by a few common issues:
- Your system or app volume might be muted or too low.
- Your headphones, speakers, cables, or ports may be damaged.
- The audio drivers are outdated, or corrupted.
- The Windows audio services stopped working.
- There may be a hardware or system configuration issue.
Part 2: How to Fix Sound Not Working in Windows 10?
In this part, we will walk through the eight ways to fix sound not working in Windows 10. So let’s start by checking the physical connection.
- Way 1: Check the Audio Connection
- Way 2: Check Mute Settings and Volume Mixer
- Way 3: Set Your Audio Device as the Default
- Way 4: Restart Your System
- Way 5: Update or Install the Audio Driver
- Way 6: Run the Windows Audio Troubleshooter
- Way 7: Disable Audio Enhancements
- Way 8: Restart Windows Audio Service
Way 1: Check the Audio Connection
Before starting troubleshooting, you need to make sure your speakers or headphones are plugged in correctly.
For example, you need to confirm that the headphone cable is working properly and whether the jack is damaged or not. Also, you can check whether the speaker works by connecting it to any other audio device.
If that still does not fix the issue, you can move on to the next check: volume and mute settings.
Way 2: Check Mute Settings and Volume Mixer
The quickest way is to check the mute setting, ensure your sound is not turned down or on mute.
Here’s how to check your volume settings in Windows 10:
Step 1: Check Mute Settings
- Click the speaker icon in the taskbar.
- If you see an X or mute sign, click it to unmute.
- Slide the volume bar up to increase the sound.
Step 2: Check Volume Mixer
- Right-click the speaker icon and select Open Volume Mixer. Ensure mute is off and volume levels are up.
- Next, you need to select the correct playback device.
Way 3: Set Your Audio Device as the Default
If an incorrect device is selected, speakers or headphones may not respond.
Here are detailed steps:
- Right click the speaker icon and click Playback devices.
- Select your audio device in the Playback tab.
- Click Set Default, then choose OK to save.
- Test the sound.
Way 4: Restart Your System
In some cases, there may be straightforward methods to fix audio issues in Windows 10.
For example, if your system has not been started correctly, you can simply restart it.
Follow these steps:
- Save your work and close all open programs.
- Click the Start menu.
- Select Power.
- Click Restart.
- After the computer restarts, you can check the sound again.
Way 5: Update or Install the Audio Driver
Sometimes, outdated audio drivers can cause sound problems in Windows 10. If your drivers are old, missing, or corrupted, Windows may not be able to play any sound. Updating or reinstalling the audio driver often fixes this issue quickly.
These methods show you how to update or reinstall the Audio Driver.
Steps to update Audio Driver:
- Type Device Manager in the search bar and open it. Click Sound, video, and game controllers.
- Right-click your audio device. Then, select Update driver.
- Click Search automatically for drivers. And follow the on-screen instructions.
If updating does not help, you can uninstall the audio driver. After restarting the PC, the audio device will reinstall.
Steps to Reinstall Audio Driver:
- Right-click the Start menu and open Device Manager. Click Sound, video, and game controllers and select Uninstall device.
- If you see a box that says Delete the driver software for this device, you can click Uninstall.
- Restart your computer.
- After that, the audio device will automatically be reinstalled.
Way 6: Run the Windows Audio Troubleshooter
If the audio is still not working in Windows 10, you can use Windows built-in troubleshooter feature to check and fix sound issues.
Here are the steps to run the troubleshooter for audio:
- Press Win + I to open Settings.
- Go to Update and Security → Troubleshoot → Additional troubleshooters.
- Click Playing Audio and run the troubleshooter.
- Follow the on-screen instructions and apply any recommended fixes.
- Test the sound again when the process is finished.
Way 7: Disable Audio Enhancements
Some sound drivers add audio enhancement effects, but these features can sometimes cause no sound or other playback issues. Turning them off may solve the problem.
Here are the steps:
- Right-click the speaker icon and open Sound. Click the Playback tab and find your output device, then open its Properties.
- Next, go to the Enhancement tab.
- Check, disable all enhancements, and click Apply.
Way 8: Restart Windows Audio Service
If the sound still does not work, you can try restarting the Windows Audio services.
Here are the steps to fix no sound in Windows 10:
- Open and launch the Services.
- Find Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder in the list.
- Right-click each service and choose Restart.
Part 3: Data Loss During the Fixing Process? Recover Audio File Now
While fixing the audio problems, many people may have lost their important files accidentally. In these cases, you need a reliable audio file recovery tool. iToolab RecoverGo Windows Data Recovery is the best option for you. It supports a wide range of audio formats, including M4A, MP3, WAV, WMA, APE, and MID/MIDI, making it suitable for different recovery needs. Moreover, RecoverGo offers a reliable way to recover lost audio files up to 99% success rate.
Key Features
- A simple interface makes the recovery process easy for beginners.
- Support common data loss situations, such as accidental deletion, emptied recycle bin, physical damage, and formatted hard drive.
- Three scan modes help users find more lost audio files.
- Quickly locate lost files with built-in filtering tools.
How to use iToolab RecoverGo Windows Data Recovery
Step 1Choose the drive or folder where your audio files were lost, then click the “Search for Lost Data” button.
Step 2 The tool scans until the process is complete. If you remember the name of the audio, you can easily locate the deleted data via the file path.
Step 3 Next, Users select their desired files and click the “Recover” button to restore them..
Best Practices for Preventing Windows 10 Audio Loss
Keep Windows and Drivers Updated
Check for Windows updates regularly and make sure your audio drivers are compatible with your system.
Establish a Data Backup Habit
Back up important audio recordings on a regular basis. A backup habit gives you extra security and reduces the risk of permanent data loss.
Conclusion
In this guide, we we’ve provided you 8 practical ways to fix audio is not working on Windows 10. What’s more, for users who want to recover lost data during troubleshooting, iToolab RecoverGo Windows Data Recovery is a reliable choice. This software can recover your audio files easily with powerful scanning modes and a high recovery success rate.