After you have changed output devices, tried equalizer effects or installed an update, sound on a PC can end up behaving oddly. Windows has a one-click reset for devices and app volumes, and a few deeper resets for when that is not enough. Try them in turn, playing a sound between each. If there is still no sound, the no-sound steps go further.
Reset all sound devices and app volumes at once
Start here, as it takes seconds. It sends every output device, input device and per-app volume back to what Windows recommends.
- Press Win + I to open Settings, then go to System > Sound.
- On Windows 11, open Volume mixer and scroll to Reset sound devices and volumes for all apps to the recommended defaults, then select Reset.
- On Windows 10, scroll to Advanced sound options, open App volume and device preferences and select Reset at the bottom.
- A checkmark appears beside the button when the reset is done. Play something to confirm.
Switch audio enhancements off
Sound effects added by Windows or the audio driver are a common reason for distorted or missing audio, and turning them off returns the signal to plain output.
- On Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > System > Sound and pick your speakers or headphones under Output.
- Scroll to Advanced, then set Audio enhancements to Off.
- On Windows 10, open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound. On the Playback tab right-click the default device and choose Properties.
- Open the Enhancements tab, tick Disable all enhancements (or Disable all sound effects, depending on what you see) and select OK.
- If you have a second playback device, repeat for it.
Check the default device and its audio format
A device that is disabled, or set to a format it handles badly, can sound wrong even after a reset. The older Sound window lists both.
- Open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound and stay on the Playback tab.
- If your device is not the default, right-click it and choose Set as Default Device. On Windows 11 you can also just pick it under Output in Settings > System > Sound.
- Right-click the default device and choose Properties. Next to Device usage, make sure Use this device (enable) is selected.
- Open the Advanced tab, change the entry under Default Format, select OK and test. If it is still wrong, try another format.
Restart the Windows audio services
Audio runs through background services. Restarting them clears a stuck state without touching your files.
- Type services in the search box on the taskbar and open the result.
- Right-click Windows Audio and choose Restart.
- Repeat with Windows Audio Endpoint Builder.
- Play a sound to see whether the problem is gone.
Remove the sound driver and let Windows install it fresh
A full driver reset is the strongest option. Save your work first, because the PC restarts.
- Type device manager in the search box on the taskbar and open it.
- Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
- Right-click the sound card or speakers entry and choose Uninstall device.
- Tick the box to remove the driver for this device (on Windows 10 it reads Delete the driver software for this device), then select Uninstall.
- Restart the PC. Windows normally installs the audio driver again on its own.
Install the maker's driver if Windows did not
If sound stays broken or the settings keep changing after the restart, download the audio driver from the website of your PC maker (Dell, HP, Lenovo) or, for a self-built PC, your motherboard maker. Choose your exact model. Avoid third-party driver download sites, which often offer old files with extra software attached. Run the installer, restart, then set up your sound the way you like it.
Undo a bad Windows update by restoring the earlier driver
If sound was fine until a recent update, the earlier driver version may bring it back.
- In Device Manager, expand Sound, video and game controllers and right-click the sound entry there.
- Choose Properties and open the Driver tab.
- Select Roll Back Driver and go through the confirmation.