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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driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteiTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
If Windows 11 says “No speakers or headphones are plugged in,” shows “No audio output device is installed,” or lists no device under Settings > System > Sound > Output, Windows is not detecting an audio output. Microsoft says a missing, outdated, disabled, or improperly loading driver can cause this, but the message alone does not identify the cause. Work through the detection and driver checks below before treating it as a speaker problem.
Check whether Windows detects the audio device
Start in Device Manager. This helps distinguish a device Windows can see but has disabled from one that is missing from its current device list.
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Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
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Expand Sound, video and game controllers. If your audio device appears, right-click it. If Enable device is available, select it.
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If the device is not listed, select View > Show hidden devices, then Action > Scan for hardware changes.
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Microsoft’s instructions for an output device that is missing or not detected are in its audio output device troubleshooting guide. If a device reappears, check Sound settings to see whether it is available as an output.
Install the driver made for your PC or sound card
If the audio device is absent, or Windows reports a driver problem, get the audio driver from the support site of your PC manufacturer or sound-card manufacturer. Choose a driver that matches your specific model and Windows version, install it, and restart the PC. A driver for different hardware may not restore detection.
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Microsoft notes that this error can follow a Windows update or driver change, and may also involve corrupted driver files or audio hardware. Those are possible causes, not a diagnosis: the message itself does not establish which one applies.
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Microsoft recommends starting the automated Audio troubleshooter in the Get Help app for Windows 11 audio problems. Open Get Help, search for audio troubleshooting, and follow the prompts. Then restart the PC if you have not already done so; a restart can clear temporary problems that prevent Windows from detecting an output device.
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These are troubleshooting steps, not guaranteed fixes. The outcome depends on the computer, audio hardware, and driver.
If the device appears but there is still no sound
A listed output device with no audio is a different problem from Windows not detecting any output. Check the connection and the selected output before continuing with driver troubleshooting.
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- Balanced audio sound with depth - 2 Watts Peak/ 1.2 Watts RMS power produces immersive and crystal clear sound.
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In Settings > System > Sound, select the intended device under Output. For HDMI or USB audio, Windows may need to use that device as the output.
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Check that the speaker or headphone cable is seated in the correct jack, and that the device is powered on if it needs power.
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Check Windows volume and mute settings, and make sure the output device is enabled.
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Turn off audio enhancements temporarily as a diagnostic check.
Microsoft’s broader guide to fixing sound or audio problems covers these checks as well as driver updates and reinstallations.
If the problem started after an update
If sound stopped working immediately after a Windows update, Microsoft’s general audio guidance recommends considering a driver rollback. If the problem did not follow an update, or rollback is unavailable, its guidance also covers updating or reinstalling the driver and, where appropriate, trying Windows’ generic audio driver. Use the driver options that fit your device; if Windows still cannot detect it after the checks above, contact the PC or sound-card manufacturer for device-specific support.
Quick Recap
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