Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
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If sound is not working on Windows 11, first select the right output device and check that Windows and the device are not muted. Then check the connection, turn off audio enhancements, and run the Get Help audio troubleshooter. If Windows cannot find the device, move on to Device Manager and the driver steps below. These checks follow Microsoft’s troubleshooting guidance; they are not a measured ranking or guarantee that every fix will work.
Try these nine checks in order
1. Select the intended output device
Open Settings > System > Sound. Under Output, choose the speakers or headphones you want to use. Windows may be sending sound to a different device, such as a USB headset or HDMI-connected display. Confirm that the selected device is the one you are listening to. Microsoft’s Windows audio troubleshooting guide explains these checks.
2. Check Windows and hardware volume
Raise the Windows volume and make sure it is not muted. Also check any volume control or mute switch on the speakers, headphones, keyboard, or headset. A normal-looking volume icon does not confirm that sound is reaching the device you intend to use. Microsoft notes that wired speakers or headphones can remain silent even when the volume icon appears normal.
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3. Check the physical connection
For wired audio, unplug and firmly reconnect the cable to the correct port. Check for loose or damaged connections, and make sure powered speakers are switched on and connected to power. If possible, test the headphones or speakers with another device; that can help distinguish a connection or hardware problem from a Windows setting.
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4. Turn off audio enhancements
Open Settings > System > Sound, select the output device, and look for Audio enhancements. Set it to Off, then test sound again. Enhancement options and labels can vary by device and driver. Microsoft identifies enhancements as a possible source of audio problems.
5. Run the Get Help audio troubleshooter
Open the Get Help app and run its audio troubleshooter. Microsoft recommends this automated diagnostic as a starting point for Windows 11 audio issues. Follow the prompts and test the output again after it completes.
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6. Install Windows updates and restart
Check for available Windows updates in Settings > Windows Update, install relevant updates, and restart if prompted. A restart is also appropriate after installing or changing an audio driver. Updates and restarts are general troubleshooting actions, not a guaranteed fix for a particular audio fault.
7. Update the audio driver
- Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
- Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
- Right-click the relevant audio device and choose Update driver.
- Follow the available prompts, restart if required, and test sound.
If the device is not listed there, go to the missing-device steps below rather than updating an unrelated entry.
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8. Reinstall or roll back a driver when appropriate
If updating did not help, Microsoft lists reinstalling the audio device’s driver or switching to a generic Windows audio driver as possible recovery options. In Device Manager, the device’s Properties may also offer Roll Back Driver. Use rollback when the sound problem began after a driver update and the option is available. Restart after a driver change and test again.
9. Check for a missing or undetected output device
If Windows says No audio output device is installed, or the intended device is absent from Sound settings, check whether Windows detects it:
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- Open Device Manager and inspect Sound, video and game controllers.
- If the device appears but is disabled, enable it using the available Device Manager action.
- If it is absent, use View > Show hidden devices, then choose Action > Scan for hardware changes.
- If Windows still does not detect it, get the appropriate audio driver from the PC manufacturer or, for an add-in sound card, its manufacturer. Install it and restart.
These detection and manufacturer-driver steps are for a missing device, not a reason to install drivers from an unrelated third-party utility. See Microsoft’s guide to missing or undetected audio output devices.
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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Bluetooth device connected but silent?
Bluetooth audio has a separate set of checks. First, open Settings > System > Sound and select the Bluetooth device under Output. A connected device is not necessarily the output Windows is using.
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- Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter in Get Help.
- Remove the device from Bluetooth settings and pair it again.
- Turn Bluetooth off and back on, then reconnect the device.
- Check for relevant Bluetooth and audio driver updates.
If Advanced sound properties is available for the connected device, Microsoft also documents trying the format 2 channel, 16 bit, 48000 Hz. The option may not appear for every device or driver. Follow Microsoft’s Bluetooth-connected-but-no-sound steps.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Use the symptom to narrow down the cause
| What you notice | Useful next check |
|---|---|
| The intended speakers or headphones are listed, but there is no sound | Select that output explicitly, check Windows and hardware mute or volume, then test the connection and enhancements. |
| Windows is playing through a display, USB device, or another output | Choose the intended device under Settings > System > Sound > Output. |
| Windows reports “No audio output device is installed” or lists no intended output | Follow the Device Manager detection and manufacturer-driver steps above. |
| A Bluetooth device says it is connected but remains silent | Choose it as the output, then use the Bluetooth troubleshooting branch. |
| The device also fails to produce sound on another device | That makes a device, cable, power, or hardware fault more plausible; Windows settings alone may not resolve it. |
Windows can use built-in speakers, wired headphones or speakers, USB or HDMI audio, and Bluetooth devices as outputs. The right checks depend on how the device connects and whether it appears under Output; there is no single hardware fix for every connection type. If built-in output hardware appears to have failed, a USB audio device may provide an alternate output path, but it will not correct a wrong Windows selection, a driver problem, or every hardware fault.
When the basic checks do not restore sound
Use the missing-device branch if Windows cannot detect the output. If it detects the device but playback remains silent, revisit the selected output, connection, enhancements, and driver recovery steps. Microsoft’s guidance does not establish a success rate or repair time for these checks, so persistent silence may require support from the PC or audio-device manufacturer.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteFor further official steps, see Microsoft Support’s guide to sound not playing from speakers or headphones.
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