If system sounds work but one app is silent, start by checking that app’s volume and output device in Windows 11’s Volume mixer. An app can be muted, turned down, or routed to different speakers or headphones than the system default. If those settings are correct, restart Windows’ audio services, run the audio troubleshooter, and check the device and driver.
First, tell whether the problem is app-specific
If other apps and Windows system sounds play normally, focus on the affected app’s mixer settings first. Microsoft says app-specific volume, per-app output selection, audio services, or audio drivers can cause this pattern. See Microsoft’s app-audio troubleshooting guide.
If no apps produce sound, or Windows cannot find the intended speakers or headphones, skip ahead to the device and troubleshooter checks. Those symptoms suggest a broader output or detection issue rather than only one app’s volume.
Check the app’s volume and output device
- Open Start > Settings > System > Sound > Volume mixer.
- Under Apps, find the affected app. If it is listed, make sure it is not muted and raise its volume slider to a reasonable level.
- Check that app’s Output device. Choose the speakers or headphones you want the app to use; do not assume it is following the system default.
- Play audio in the app again to test the change.
Windows provides app-level volume controls that can differ from the system volume. An app may also use a different output device from the system default. If the app is not listed in Volume mixer, the Microsoft guidance does not specify a universal way to force it to appear; test audio in the app and check the mixer again.
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Restart the Windows audio services
If the mixer settings look right, restart the two services Microsoft names for app-audio problems:
- Open Start, type
services.msc, and press Enter. - In the Services window, right-click Windows Audio and select Restart.
- Right-click Windows Audio Endpoint Builder and select Restart.
- Test the affected app again.
These steps restart Windows audio components; they do not change the app’s volume or output selection.
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Run the Windows 11 audio troubleshooter
If app-specific checks do not solve the problem, or the symptoms affect more than one app, run the automated audio troubleshooter through Get Help. Microsoft says it performs diagnostics and attempts to fix audio problems. Follow the prompts and test sound afterward. See Microsoft’s general sound troubleshooting guide.
Check that Windows detects and enables the output device
- Open Device Manager and expand Sound, video and game controllers.
- If your audio device appears, check whether Enable device is available. If it is, use it to enable the device.
- If the device is missing, choose View > Show hidden devices, then Action > Scan for hardware changes.
- In Windows Sound settings, confirm that the output device you intend to use is selected and has not been disabled.
For more device-detection checks, follow Microsoft’s guide to missing or undetected audio output devices.
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Update the audio driver if the problem remains
- In Device Manager, expand Sound, video and game controllers.
- Right-click the audio device and choose Update driver.
- Follow the available prompts, then restart the PC and test the app.
For a device-specific Windows 11 driver, Microsoft directs users to check the PC manufacturer’s support website. Use Windows Update or the manufacturer’s support resources rather than third-party driver-download sites. See Microsoft’s audio driver guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choose the next step by symptom
| What you notice | Where to start |
|---|---|
| System sounds work, but one app is silent | Check that app’s mute state, volume slider, and output device in Volume mixer. |
| Several apps or the whole system have no sound | Run the Get Help audio troubleshooter, then check the selected and enabled output device. |
| The intended audio device is missing | Check Device Manager for the device, show hidden devices, and scan for hardware changes. |
| The app settings are correct but the problem persists | Restart Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder; then try the troubleshooter and driver steps if needed. |
These are troubleshooting steps, not a guarantee that one change will resolve every app or PC. Microsoft’s guidance does not establish a success rate for individual fixes or show that hardware replacement is required for an app-only volume problem.
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