Tried and Tested Methods to Make the Sound Issues with Windows 10 Disappear

| Updated on March 4, 2024

Updating your device to Windows 10 offers a lot of perks that are appreciated, along with certain drawbacks that cannot be ignored either. One such problem that is generally encountered is sound is not working on Windows 10. This issue will not let users play videos, and there will be no voice coming out from the speakers. That may also create discomfort while using certain apps. 

If you are also suffering from the same situation and looking for a way out, continue reading to find the best solution. But before that, let’s have a look at what causes audio issues in Windows 10.

Why Sound Is Not Working On Windows 10?

Normally, hardware glitches are held responsible if there is a problem with sound, however, software can play equal role in it. Whenever there is an update to Windows 10, new features can be seen and similarly, new problems can arise out of nowhere. The patch may clash with older audio drivers or with your sound card.

How To Get The Sound Issue Fixed On Windows 10?

If there is no audio on Windows 10, here are the methods you can apply to fix it:

Method-1 Checking Default Audio Device

Before anything, make sure that your audio device has been set as default. If the speakers or headphones use a USB or HDMI port, you need to set it as default as follows:

  • In the search box, type ‘Sound’ and select the first option.
  • In the ‘Playback’ tab, select your device and then select ‘Set as default’.

Method -2 Checking the Output Device

Windows need to send sound to the right device and not to the old device that is not connected at that time.

If sound is not working on Windows 10, you need to check the output device as follows:

  • Click on the small arrow icon given in the bottom right corner of the screen.
  • Next, right-click on the ‘Sound’ icon and select the option ‘Open Sound Settings’.
  • In the sound settings window, go to the option ‘Choose your output device’ and make sure that correct device has been selected and also check that the volume is not zero.

Method- 3 Updating the Sound Card Drivers

Another reason for which you may face problems while playing sound on Windows 10 is the sound card is not able to communicate properly. In order to make it work, you need to update it using the steps listed below:

  • Go to the ‘Start’ menu and look for ‘Device Manager’.
  • Click on the top results and you will see some sound related options. Select ‘Sound, video and game controllers’ option from the list and you will see the sound card you have. 

    Open the required sound card by double-clicking on it and go to the ‘Driver’ tab, you will get the option to ‘Update Driver’. Click on that and the Windows will start looking for the required update and will download it as well.

However, Windows will not find out the right driver every time and then you must visit the manufacturer’s website, look for your sound card and manually download the update. 

If that doesn’t work, you can try uninstalling the soundcard from the Device Manager. Restart your device and Windows will automatically try to install the driver once it get restarted.

Method-4 Using Generic High Definition Audio Device Driver

Still, if there is no sound on Windows 10, you can try switching to the generic audio driver if updating sound driver doesn’t help. This can fix the compatibility issues as well as will restore the sound capabilities. 

  • Again go to the ‘Device Manager’ as explained previously while updating the driver.
  • Next, right-click on the driver and select ‘Update Driver’.
  • Now, instead of selecting ‘Search Automatically for Updated Driver Software’, go for ‘Browse my computer for driver software’.
  • Then select the option ‘Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer’ to see a list that will include High Definition Audio Device that will include the generic Windows 10 driver. Select and install it and check if it fixes the no sound issue on Windows 10.

Method-5 Fixing Issues with Cortana and Microphone

Cortana is the Windows’ built-in vocal assistant and if the audio is not working properly, it will be of no use. If Cortana is not taking commands properly, it means the issue is with the microphone. Try to fix the same by following the steps provided below:

  • Using ‘Start’ menu, look for ‘Cortana’ and click on the first search result. 
  • You will see a number of options performed by Cortana. Make sure the option for ‘Hey Cortana’ is turned on and if it is off, your voice commands will not be answered. 
  • If there is no issue with Cortana and Microphone’s settings, then next you must recheck the recording device settings as follows:
  1. Click on the up arrow given in the bottom right corner of the screen, right-click on the speaker’s icon and select ‘Open Sound Settings’.
  2. In the ‘Input’ section, you need to ensure that the correct microphone is selected.

Method-6 Running Windows 10 Audio Troubleshooter

Another method that can be tried when sound stopped working on Windows 10 is running the audio troubleshooter as doing that can fix a number of sound issues, just apply the given instructions:

  • In the ‘Search’ box, type ‘audio troubleshooter’ and click on the option ‘Find and fix audio playback problems’.
  • From the next screen, just follow the directions provided to you and your audio related problems will be fixed in no time.

Method-7 System Restore

Now, if the issue with sound on Windows 10 has started appearing recently, it means it was working fine at some point before. So if getting updates didn’t help, you can perform ‘System Restore’ to go back to the point where everything was working was fine.

Method-8 Keep Up with the Updates

Issues with Sound drivers in Windows 10 started arising when you updated your device. However, you may never know that the next update may come up with the solution for the same. So you must always look forward to updates and install the same as and when it comes. Hopefully, any of the above methods will help you to get away with the Windows 10 update problems related to sound and audio.


Khushboo Chhibber

Senior Web Writer and Video Creator


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