Fix Sound and Audio problems and issues in Windows 11

To fix sound and audio problems in Windows 11, run the audio troubleshooter in the Get Help app, then confirm the right output device is selected and not muted.

This guide covers every official fix in order: hardware checks, audio enhancements, default device, Windows Update, drivers, audio formats, Windows Audio services and microphone privacy.

Fix Windows sound & audio problems & issues

The automated audio troubleshooter runs diagnostics and attempts to fix most audio problems on its own. Start here before changing anything by hand.

1. Select Start > Settings > System.
2. Scroll down and select Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
3. Go to the Audio section and select Run.
4. Follow the prompts in the Get Help app and apply any fix it offers.
5. Play a video or song to test the sound.

If Get Help cannot resolve the problem, work through the fixes below in order and test sound after each one.

Windows 11 sound not working: which fix matches your symptom

Your symptom	Try this first	Why
No sound at all from any app	Check the selected output device and volume	Audio often plays to a monitor or another device
Sound stopped after a Windows update	Roll back the audio driver	A new driver is the most likely change
Distorted, crackling or odd sound	Turn off audio enhancements, then change the default format	Processing effects and sample rates cause artefacts
No output device listed	Enable the device, then reinstall the driver	The device may be disabled or its driver broken
Sound works only after a restart	Restart the Windows Audio services	The audio service has stalled
Microphone not picked up	Check microphone privacy settings	Apps can be blocked from the mic

Check the speaker output in Windows 11 sound settings

When several audio devices are connected, Windows can play sound to the wrong one.

1. Select the Speakers icon on the taskbar.
2. Select the arrow to the right of the volume slider (Select a sound output).
3. Pick the speakers or headphones you want to hear sound from.
4. Drag the volume slider up and test playback.

Check audio hardware, cables and volume controls

1. Check speaker and headphone connections for loose cords, and plug every cable in fully.
2. On a surround system, confirm each cable is in the correct jack. Many PCs use green for output and pink for microphone input.
3. Make sure the speakers are powered on.
4. Unmute and turn up every volume control, including the speaker's own knob and the app's volume.
5. Try a different USB port for USB speakers or headsets.
6. Unplug headphones, because speakers may stay silent while headphones are connected.

Turn off audio enhancements in Windows 11

1. Select Start > Settings > Sound.
2. In the Output section, select the device you are using.
3. Scroll to Advanced settings.
4. Set Audio enhancements to Off from the dropdown menu.
5. Test sound again.

Unmute devices in the Windows 11 volume mixer

1. Right-click the Speakers icon on the taskbar. If it is missing, select Show hidden icons first.
2. Select the arrow next to the volume slider, then the settings icon labelled More mixer settings.
3. Look for any device or app with an "x" next to its volume control.
4. Select the control and raise the level, or select the Unmute icon.

Set the default audio device for USB or HDMI

An external monitor without built-in speakers can end up as the default output, which leaves you with no sound.

1. Select Start > Settings > System > Sound.
2. In the Output section, select the device you want to use for playback.
3. Selecting it also makes it the default output device.

Install Windows updates and restart to fix audio

1. Select Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
2. If updates are available, select Install now or Install.
3. Save your work and close open apps.
4. Select Start > Power and choose Update and restart if it appears.
5. Test sound after Windows restarts.

If the problem began with a feature update, the Windows 11 26H2 known issues list may already name it.

Update or reinstall audio drivers in Device Manager

1. Type device manager in the taskbar search box and open it.
2. Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
3. Right-click your sound card or audio device and select Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
4. If no driver is found, right-click the device again, select Uninstall device, tick Attempt to remove the driver for this device and select Uninstall.
5. Save your work and select Start > Power > Restart. Windows reinstalls the driver during startup.
6. If sound is still missing, install the latest audio driver from your PC or sound card maker's website.

Use the generic High Definition Audio Device driver

Windows ships a generic audio driver. It also fixes systems with an IDT High Definition Audio CODEC, though not every PC has one.

1. Open Device Manager and expand Sound, video and game controllers.
2. Right-click your audio device (or IDT High Definition Audio CODEC) and select Update driver.
3. Select Browse my computer for drivers > Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
4. Select High Definition Audio Device, then select Next.
5. Follow the prompts and test sound.

Roll back the audio driver after a Windows update

1. Open Device Manager and expand Sound, video and game controllers.
2. Right-click your audio device and select Properties.
3. Select the Driver tab, then Roll Back Driver.
4. Follow the instructions and select Yes.
5. If rollback is greyed out or fails, restore the PC from a system restore point created before the update.

Change the default audio format in Control Panel

1. Type control panel in the taskbar search box and open it.
2. Select Hardware and Sound > Sound.
3. On the Playback tab, right-click the default device and select Properties.
4. On the Advanced tab, change the setting under Default Format and select OK.
5. Test sound, and try another format if it still sounds wrong.

Windows Audio Service stuck on Stopping

A stalled audio service causes silence that clears only after a reboot. Restarting the three services involved usually gets sound back without restarting the PC.

1. Type services in the taskbar search box and open the Services app.
2. Right-click Windows Audio, select Restart and confirm with Yes.
3. Repeat for Windows Audio Endpoint Builder.
4. Repeat for Remote Procedure Call (RPC).
5. If a service stays on Stopping and will not restart, select Start > Power > Restart to reset it.

No speakers or headphones are plugged in on Windows 11 [Fix]

The sound icon says no speakers or headphones are plugged in

The cable is loose, the device is disabled, or its driver failed to load.

1. Reseat the cable in the correct output jack, or try another USB port.
2. Select Start > Settings > System > Sound, then More sound settings under Advanced.
3. On the Playback tab, select the device and choose Properties.
4. Next to Device usage, select Use this device (enable).
5. If the device is still missing, uninstall it in Device Manager and restart so Windows reinstalls the driver.

Bluetooth headphones connected but no sound

Windows is still sending audio to another output.

1. Open the Select a sound output list from the taskbar speaker icon.
2. Pick the Bluetooth headphones.
3. For Apple earbuds, follow the steps to fix AirPods with no sound.

Apps cannot hear the microphone

Microphone access is turned off in privacy settings.

1. Select Start > Settings > Privacy & security.
2. Under App permissions, select Microphone.
3. Turn on Microphone access and Let apps access your microphone.
4. Turn on the toggle for the specific app you use.

Test sound output in Windows 11

1. Open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound.
2. On the Playback tab, play audio in any app and watch the level meter beside the default device move.
3. Confirm the right device has the green default tick.
4. Check the taskbar speaker icon no longer shows an "x".

Windows 11 sound problems FAQ

How do I fix sound problems in Windows 11?

Run the audio troubleshooter from Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. If that fails, check the selected output device, unmute every volume control, turn off audio enhancements, then update or reinstall the audio driver in Device Manager.

How do I fix audio issues after a Windows update?

Roll back the audio driver. Open Device Manager, expand Sound, video and game controllers, open your device's Properties, and select Roll Back Driver on the Driver tab. If that option is unavailable, restore from a system restore point made before the update.

Why does my audio sound so bad?

Audio enhancements and an unsuitable sample rate are common causes of distorted or crackling sound. Turn off Audio enhancements in Settings > Sound for your device, then try a different Default Format on the Advanced tab of the device's properties.

How do I fix sound issues with no output device found?

Reconnect the speakers, then open More sound settings and set Device usage to Use this device (enable). If Windows still finds nothing, uninstall the device in Device Manager with the driver removal box ticked and restart the PC.

How do I fix the sound when only a restart brings it back?

Restart the audio services instead of the PC. In the Services app, restart Windows Audio, Windows Audio Endpoint Builder and Remote Procedure Call (RPC). Then install pending Windows updates and the latest audio driver.

How do I fix the audio on HDMI or a monitor?

Open Settings > System > Sound and pick the correct device in the Output section. A monitor without built-in speakers produces no sound when it is the default output, so choose your speakers or headphones instead.

Does Windows 11 have a generic audio driver?

Yes. In Device Manager, choose Update driver > Browse my computer for drivers > Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer, then select High Definition Audio Device. It replaces a faulty manufacturer driver.

How do I fix your audio when the microphone does not work?

Open Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone and turn on Microphone access and Let apps access your microphone. Then turn on the toggle for the app you are using, such as Teams or a browser.