Why is there suddenly no sound on my laptop?

The most common cause is Windows switching output to the wrong device, such as an HDMI monitor with no speakers, or the volume being muted. Reselect your speakers as the output device and check the volume.

How do I reset the audio on a Windows laptop?

Run the built-in audio troubleshooter at Settings, System, Troubleshoot, Other troubleshooters, then Playing Audio. It can reset or reinstall the correct driver automatically.

No Sound From Laptop Speakers? How to Fix It (Windows)

Q: Why do my laptop speakers not work but headphones do?

Windows is sending audio to the headphone output, or the speaker driver has failed. Set the speakers as the default output device, and if they still fail, update or reinstall the audio driver.

Quick answer: If your laptop speakers have no sound on Windows, the cause is usually the wrong output device selected, the volume muted, or a driver problem — not broken speakers. Check the output device and volume first, then run the audio troubleshooter and update the driver.

Once sound is back, you can run the speaker test to confirm both the left and right channels are working.

Fix no sound on Windows, step by step

1. Check the volume and mute

Click the speaker icon in the taskbar and make sure the slider is up and not muted. Open the volume mixer too, in case a single app is muted while the system is fine.

2. Select the right output device

This is the most common cause. Windows often switches output to an HDMI monitor or a disconnected device that has no speakers. Go to Settings → System → Sound and, under Output, pick your laptop's speakers. If an external monitor with no speakers is set as default, that alone explains the silence.

3. Run the Windows audio troubleshooter

Go to Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters and run "Playing Audio". It can reset the audio service and reinstall the correct driver automatically.

4. Turn off audio enhancements

Badly configured enhancements can mute output. In Settings → System → Sound, open your speakers, scroll to Advanced, and set Audio enhancements to Off, then test again.

5. Update or reinstall the audio driver

Open Device Manager and expand "Sound, video and game controllers". A yellow triangle means a driver fault. Right-click your audio device (often Realtek or Intel Smart Sound) and choose Update driver. If that fails, choose Uninstall device and restart — Windows reinstalls it on boot.

Why do my laptop speakers not work but headphones do?

If headphones play but the built-in speakers stay silent, Windows is routing sound to the headphone output, or the speaker driver has failed. Unplug the headphones, set the speakers as the default output device, and if they are still silent, update or reinstall the audio driver as above.

How do I know if my laptop speakers are blown?

Rule out software first. If external or Bluetooth speakers work, the volume is up, the right device is selected, and the driver is healthy — but the built-in speakers stay silent at every volume, or only crackle — the hardware is likely faulty and needs servicing.

Confirm sound is back

After the fix, run the speaker test and play the left and right tones. If both sides sound clean, your speakers are working again.