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If your laptop has no sound, first check whether it is muted, whether the app has its own volume control, and whether audio is going to the right output device. Then test another app or audio source. If the problem affects all sound, follow the Windows or macOS steps below; the menu names differ by operating system and version.

First, work out where the sound stops

Try playing audio from a second app or website. If sound works there, the laptop’s speakers may be fine and the issue may be limited to the original app, browser tab, webpage player, or meeting. If nothing produces sound, check system volume and output routing next.

  • Only one app or site is silent: check its own volume and mute controls, including the browser tab and the webpage’s player.
  • All audio is silent: check the system mute and volume, selected output device, and any connected headphones, displays, or USB audio devices.

A normal-looking volume icon does not guarantee audio is going to the speakers you expect. Windows troubleshooting identifies mute, the wrong output selection, audio enhancements, and driver problems among possible causes. Microsoft’s no-sound troubleshooting guide covers Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Check every volume and mute control

Raise the system volume and make sure mute is off. Then check the volume inside the app, browser, or media player. Headphones and external speakers may also have their own volume or mute controls. Apple likewise recommends checking app and webpage controls when Mac audio is missing. Apple’s Mac internal-speaker guide includes examples such as a muted Safari webpage and media-player controls.

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Choose the intended output device

Windows 11 or Windows 10

Open Settings > System > Sound and select the intended output device, such as the laptop speakers or connected headphones. If several devices appear, verify the selection rather than relying on the volume icon. A monitor or other connected device may be selected even if it is not the output you want. Microsoft also explains how to set a playback device as the default in its broader Windows sound troubleshooting guide.

macOS

Open the Apple menu and choose System Settings > Sound > Output. On older macOS versions, the menu may be called System Preferences. Select Built-in Speakers to test the laptop’s internal speakers, raise Output volume, and confirm that Mute is not selected.

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Disconnect external audio and compare

Unplug headphones and disconnect USB or Thunderbolt audio devices and audio-capable displays, then test the built-in speakers again. Headphones can prevent laptop speakers from playing, and an external device can receive audio instead. Apple specifically recommends disconnecting external audio devices when diagnosing Mac internal speakers.

If you already have a known-good wired or USB headset, you can use it as a comparison: sound through the headset but not the built-in speakers points toward a different output path, but does not by itself identify which hardware component has failed. There is no need to buy a headset just to try this check.

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Windows: try software troubleshooting before driver changes

Check the mixer, device status, and enhancements

Open Settings > System > Sound and check the Volume mixer for a muted app or output. Confirm the intended device is enabled and selected. Microsoft also recommends turning off audio enhancements as a troubleshooting step; the available controls can vary by device and Windows version. Run the Windows audio troubleshooter as well. On Windows 11, Microsoft directs users to Get Help for automated audio diagnostics. See Microsoft’s no-sound guide for the applicable steps.

Check updates and escalate to driver troubleshooting

Check for Windows updates and restart if an update or settings change requires it; save open work before restarting. If the sound stopped after a driver update, Microsoft includes rolling back the audio driver among the options. Updating or reinstalling the audio driver may also help if simpler checks fail. If Windows cannot find a suitable driver, use the laptop maker’s support page for drivers specific to your model. Microsoft’s Windows audio guide describes these driver options.

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Start with settings and built-in diagnostics rather than removing drivers or making unrelated system changes. Driver work is a later step, not the first response to a muted app or misrouted output.

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When to contact the laptop maker

Contact the laptop manufacturer if the intended output device is missing, internal speakers stay silent after the relevant operating-system checks, or you suspect physical damage. The maker can provide model-specific driver guidance and hardware diagnosis. Apple says service may be needed if Mac internal speakers still do not work after the checks in its support guide.

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If you use Windows 10, note that Microsoft support ended on October 14, 2025. Microsoft says free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance, and security fixes are no longer provided for Windows 10 after that date. Microsoft’s Windows 10 support notice explains the change.

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