Unmute Windows and the app, choose the correct output device, run the Audio troubleshooter, then restart audio services or update the sound driver. Test headphones and speakers separately before changing enhancements or drivers. A quick test is to play a short system sound: if it plays on headphones but not on the speakers, the output selection is the cause.
What this covers
- Windows 11 PCs with missing output from speakers, displays or headsets
What it does not cover
- ×Physically damaged speakers or unsupported professional audio hardware
Try in this order
0 of 4 completedSelect the correct output
ReversibleChoose the speaker icon in the taskbar, open the output selector and pick the intended speakers, display or headset.
Check volume mixer and cables
ReversibleUnmute system and app volume, then reconnect analog, USB, HDMI or Bluetooth audio hardware.
Run the Audio troubleshooter
ReversibleUse the Get Help audio troubleshooter and apply only the changes it explains.
Update or roll back the audio driver
ReversibleUse Device Manager after noting the current driver version. Restart Windows and retest one output.
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions about “Windows 11 has no sound”
Why is there no sound?+
The wrong output device, mute or a driver issue.
Could updates be the cause?+
A driver update may have changed settings.
Should I reinstall the driver?+
Yes if the troubleshooter fails.
Is the volume mixer muting the app?+
Windows keeps separate volume levels for each app in the volume mixer. If one app is silent, open the mixer and raise its level, since it can be muted even when the system volume is up.
Could a driver update have broken the sound?+
Sometimes. In Device Manager you can roll back the audio driver or reinstall it, which fixes many faults that began after an update.
Is the wrong device selected?+
Open the sound output list and choose the speakers or headphones you want. Windows can switch to a monitor or Bluetooth device that is off, leaving you with silence.
What if sound works in one app but not others?+
Check each app's own volume and output setting, and the Windows volume mixer. Some apps pick a specific output device, so switch it to your speakers or headphones inside the app and test again.
Does restarting audio services actually help, or is it just superstition?+
It is a real fix for a specific failure mode: Windows Audio and the related services can hang after a sleep cycle or a driver crash without the system otherwise showing any error, and restarting them from Services (or a full reboot) clears that stuck state, which is why it works even when nothing in the settings actually looks wrong.