Laptop speaker is not working? Here’s how to fix it

A guy using laptop

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It can be annoying when your laptop’s speaker stops working. You are trying to watch a movie or rewatch a class lecture to clear some concepts the night before the exam, and your laptop’s speakers simply refuse to work.

 

Though this issue might seem confusing, the solution to this problem is quite simple and, in some cases, quite easy.

 

By the end of this, you will surely find the reason behind your laptop’s speakers not working and how you can fix it.

 

Check if you are muted

This is a simple and obvious fix. You might just have your speaker muted. This could happen when you accidentally press a keyboard shortcut while typing.

 

The solution to this is, as you expect, quite simple. Just go to the bottom right side of the taskbar and click on the speaker icon. Click on it, and then drag the volume slider.

 

If the volume icon still has a slash through it, then press on the icon, and it should fix it.

 

Check your output is set to the correct speaker

It’s possible that your laptop is outputting audio to a different device. You can simply change the output device by clicking on the taskbar and clicking on the dropdown menu.

 

From here, you can select your laptop’s speaker, and your laptop speakers should start working now.

 

Turn off Bluetooth

If you have any Bluetooth audio devices connected such as Bluetooth speakers or Bluetooth headphones, then you might consider disconnecting them.

 

A quick way to do this is by going into the Windows notification center and clicking on the Bluetooth icon to turn it off.

 

Change your default audio settings

Sometimes Windows sets your default audio device to something other than your built-in laptop speakers.

 

Step 1: To change this, right-click on the speaker icon, and click on Sounds. After this, click on Playback.

 

Step 2: Right-click on your laptop speakers and select “ Set as default device.”

 

This should fix the issue, and your laptop should output audio from the speakers.

 

Check your cables and audio ports

This is also a simple one. If you plan to use your laptop’s internal speakers, then unplug any other audio device that is plugged into your laptop. This could be headphones or external speakers.

 

Once you unplug these devices, your laptop should automatically default to your laptop’s speakers, and you should start receiving sound from your laptop’s speakers.

 

Run the Audio Troubleshooter

Sometimes, you got to let windows find the issue for you. Running the Windows Troubleshooter can sometimes let you know what the issue is and how to solve it.

 

To run the Windows troubleshooter, right-click on the sound icon and click on “Troubleshoot sound problems.”

 

The troubleshooter should open up now, follow the steps and let the troubleshooter do its thing.

 

Using the windows troubleshooter can be a hit-or-miss situation. 

 

If you find yourself unable to play anything through the speakers despite going through the Windows troubleshooter, then you might consider checking some of our other troubleshooting methods.

 

Check if Windows is updated

You could have these audio issues when Windows is not updated. It’s possible that you are facing some sort of bug that has been patched in the next version.

 

Step 1: To check this, Go to Settings and then click on Update & Security. If Windows shows some pending updates, then install them.

 

Step 2: If Windows shows that it’s updated, then click on check for updates and let Windows find the latest updates available. 

 

Once the updates are downloaded, install them and restart your laptop.

 

Try changing the audio format

Sometimes changing the audio sample rate and the bit depth can fix the audio issue and allow you to play audio from your speakers.

 

Step 1: Right-click on the speaker icon and then click on Open Sounds Settings

 

Step 2: Then click on device properties under the Output settings.

 

Step 3: Click on additional settings on the right side of the menu.

 

Step 4: Click on the Advanced tab and then choose a different sample rate and bit depth settings and then test your speakers.

 

If you are still facing issues, then there are still a couple of things you can try.

Disable Audio Enhancements

Audio enhancements can cause audio issues sometimes. Disabling it might solve the issue.

 

Step 1: All you have to do is open the Sound settings.

 

Step 2: Click on Device Properties under the Output settings.

 

Step 3: Click on additional settings on the right side of the menu.

 

Step 4: Click on the Enhancements tab, tick the Disable all enhancements box, and then click on Apply.

 

After doing this, check if you are getting sound out of your internal speakers. If the problem still persists, you can try other things.

 

Update Audio Driver

A wonky audio driver can cause issues. A simple driver update could fix this.

 

Step 1: Press Win key + X and then click on Device Manager.

 

Step 2: Click on Audio inputs and outputs, and then right-click on Speakers, and then click on Update Driver.

 

Step 3: Click on “Search automatically for updated driver software” and let windows find the latest drivers.

 

Once the audio driver is updated, restart your computer and play something to test if your speakers work.

 

Reinstall Audio Drivers

Reinstalling the audio drivers can also help solve the issue. 

 

Step 1: Press the Win + X key and then click on Device Manager.

 

Step 2: Click on Audio inputs and outputs, then right-click on Speakers, and click on Uninstall Device. Also, select Delete driver software for this device before you click uninstall.

 

Restart your computer and then see if your laptop plays any sound through the internal speakers.

 

Restart Audio Services

Step 1: Press the Win key and type Services and select it from the search result.

 

Step 2: Next, select and right-click on the following services and click on restart: Windows Audio, Windows Audio Endpoint Builder, Remote Procedure Call (RPC)

 

When you are done restarting these services, check if you are receiving audio from your laptop’s internal speakers.

 

Update your BIOS

It’s possible that your current BIOS isn’t playing well with Windows. It’s possible that your BIOS needs to get updated to fix this issue. 

 

Just go to your laptop manufacturer’s support page and download your laptop’s appropriate drivers.

 

Make sure your laptop’s battery is charged at least 50% before you perform a BIOS update.

 

Once you are done installing the BIOS update, check if you are receiving sound on your speakers.

Get your laptop checked by a professional

Despite trying all the troubleshooting methods above, if you are still unable to get sound out of your laptop speakers, then you might want to consider showing your laptop to a technician.

 

It’s possible that your laptop has defective speakers and you need to get them replaced. Or the technician may find a way to troubleshoot your laptop in a specific way that may get your laptop working.

 

Meanwhile, you can use external speakers or use headphones on your laptop.

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