Is the sound not working on Windows on your laptop or desktop? This guide is for anyone in Bangladesh using Windows 11 or Windows 10, whether you are a student watching classes, an office worker on Zoom or a gamer. The short answer: first check that the right output device is selected and nothing is muted, then run the built-in audio troubleshooter, and if that fails, update, roll back or reinstall the audio driver in Device Manager. Most "no sound" problems are fixed by one of these three steps in under ten minutes.
Why Windows Suddenly Has No Sound
Before you start changing settings, it helps to know what usually goes wrong. Almost every case falls into one of these groups:
- Wrong output device: Windows is sending audio to a monitor, a Bluetooth earbud that is no longer connected, or a disabled device.
- Muted or low volume: the system volume, the app's own volume or the speaker's knob is turned down.
- Driver problems: a Windows update replaced or broke the audio driver.
- Stopped audio services: the Windows Audio service has crashed or not started.
- Hardware faults: a loose cable, a damaged 3.5 mm jack, dead speakers or a failed sound chip.
Work through the steps below in order. Start with the quick checks, because they solve the problem most often and take seconds.
How to Fix Sound Not Working on Windows: Step by Step
Step 1: Check the volume, mute and cables
- Click the speaker icon on the taskbar and make sure the slider is not at zero and there is no mute mark.
- Press the volume-up key on your laptop keyboard. Many laptops have a separate mute key with a small light.
- For external speakers, check the power switch, the volume knob and that the cable is in the green (audio out) jack, not the pink microphone jack.
- Unplug any headphones. A plugged-in headset can take over sound so the speakers stay silent.
- For USB speakers or headsets, try another USB port.
Step 2: Choose the correct output device
On Windows 11, click the speaker icon on the taskbar, then the small arrow next to the volume slider, and pick your speakers or headphones from the list. You can also go to Settings > System > Sound and choose the device under Output; this makes it the default.
On Windows 10, click the speaker icon and use the list above the slider, or open Control Panel > Sound, right-click your device on the Playback tab and choose Set as Default Device.
If you connect your PC to a monitor or TV with HDMI, Windows often switches to that screen's speakers automatically. Switch it back if your monitor has no speakers.
Step 3: Check the volume mixer for each app
Sometimes only one app is silent, for example the browser or a game. Right-click the speaker icon and open the Volume mixer. Each open app has its own slider; make sure none of them is muted or at zero.
Step 4: Run the audio troubleshooter
- Windows 11: Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, then select Run next to Audio. Recent versions open the automated audio troubleshooter in the Get Help app.
- Windows 10: Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot, then choose Playing audio and run it.
The troubleshooter checks services, default devices and some driver problems, and fixes many of them automatically.
Step 5: Make sure the device is enabled
Open Settings > System > Sound > More sound settings (Windows 11) or Control Panel > Sound (Windows 10). On the Playback tab, right-click an empty area and tick Show Disabled Devices. If your speakers appear grey, right-click them and choose Enable.
Step 6: Turn off audio enhancements
Some sound "enhancements" from the driver cause silence or crackling. On Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Sound, select your output device and set Audio enhancements to Off. On Windows 10, open the device's Properties in Control Panel and tick Disable all enhancements on the Enhancements tab.
Step 7: Install Windows updates and restart
Go to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates and install anything waiting, including optional driver updates. Then restart. A full restart also clears many temporary audio glitches on its own.
Step 8: Restart the Windows audio services
- Press Windows + R, type services.msc and press Enter.
- Find Windows Audio, right-click it and choose Restart.
- Do the same for Windows Audio Endpoint Builder.
- Check that the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service is running, since the audio services depend on it.
Step 9: Update, roll back or reinstall the audio driver
Right-click the Start button, open Device Manager and expand Sound, video and game controllers. Then try these in order:
- Update: right-click your audio device (for example Realtek Audio) > Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
- Roll back: if sound stopped right after an update, open the device's Properties > Driver tab > Roll Back Driver.
- Reinstall: right-click > Uninstall device, tick the option to remove the driver, then restart. Windows installs a driver again on startup.
- Generic driver: right-click > Update driver > Browse my computer > Let me pick from a list, then choose High Definition Audio Device.
For branded laptops, the best driver usually comes from the maker's support site (HP, Dell, Lenovo, Asus) using your exact model number.
Step 10: Try a different audio format
In Control Panel > Sound, open your speaker's Properties, go to the Advanced tab and change the Default Format (for example to 24 bit, 48000 Hz). Click Test after each change.
Step 11: Use System Restore
If sound worked a few days ago and nothing above helped, a restore point from before the problem can undo the change that broke it. Search for Create a restore point, click System Restore and follow the steps. Your personal files are not removed.
Quick Fix Comparison Table
| Fix | Best for | Time needed | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volume, mute and cable check | Sound gone after moving or plugging something | 1 minute | Very easy |
| Select output device | Sound going to HDMI monitor or Bluetooth device | 1 minute | Very easy |
| Audio troubleshooter | Unknown cause | 3–5 minutes | Easy |
| Disable enhancements | Silence or crackling with one device | 2 minutes | Easy |
| Restart audio services | Red X on speaker icon, "audio service not running" | 2 minutes | Easy |
| Update or roll back driver | Sound stopped after a Windows update | 5–15 minutes | Medium |
| System Restore | Nothing else worked, sound was fine recently | 20–40 minutes | Medium |
Microsoft keeps an updated list of these fixes on its official sound troubleshooting page.
Bluetooth Speaker or Earbuds Connected but No Sound
- Make sure the Bluetooth device is chosen as the output in Step 2. Being "paired" is not the same as being selected.
- Turn Bluetooth off and on, or remove the device in Settings > Bluetooth & devices and pair it again.
- Charge the speaker or earbuds; a low battery can connect but play nothing.
- If the earbuds are still connected to your phone, disconnect them from the phone first.
When It Is a Hardware Problem
Test with a different pair of headphones or speakers. If headphones work but the built-in laptop speakers do not, the speakers or their cable inside the laptop may be faulty. If no device works at all, even after a driver reinstall, the sound chip could be damaged. A cheap USB sound adapter or a Bluetooth speaker is often a quicker solution than a motherboard repair on an older laptop. If your laptop has other problems too, our guide on fixing a slow or hanging laptop may help.
How to Choose Speakers or Headphones for Your PC
If your speakers have died, choose a replacement based on how you use your computer:
- Online classes and calls: a headset or headphone with a built-in microphone keeps your voice clear and blocks home noise.
- Movies and music at a desk: a compact Bluetooth speaker or a small sound bar is a big step up from laptop speakers.
- Shared rooms: noise-cancelling headphones let you listen without disturbing others.
- Connection: Bluetooth avoids loose jacks; wired is simpler for older desktops without Bluetooth.
| Product | Type | Good for | Our price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Awei AT7 Bluetooth Headphone | Wireless headphone | Budget calls and classes | Tk 900 |
| Awei KA1 RGB Bluetooth Speaker | Portable speaker | Desk music, replacing dead laptop speakers | Tk 1,650 |
| Baseus Bass BH1 NC ANC Headphones | Noise-cancelling headphone | Noisy homes and offices | Tk 4,400 |
| Awei Y999 50W Sound Bar | Sound bar | Desktop PC or TV movies | Tk 6,100 |
Prices are at the time of writing; the product page always shows the latest price. See the full range in our speaker and sound bar collection and headphone and earphone collection.
Speaker and Headphone Price in Thakurgaon
The fixes in this guide work on any Windows PC, wherever you are. If you need new speakers or headphones, we deliver all over Bangladesh, including Thakurgaon Sadar, Pirganj, Ranisankail, Baliadangi and Haripur, with cash on delivery.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my sound stop working after a Windows update?
An update can replace your audio driver with a different version or change the default output device. First check the output device in sound settings. If that is correct, open Device Manager, go to your audio device's Properties and use Roll Back Driver, or install the latest driver from your laptop maker's support website for your exact model.
What does the red X on the speaker icon mean?
A red X usually means Windows cannot find a working output device or the audio service is not running. Restart the Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder services, then check Device Manager for a missing or yellow-marked sound device. Reinstalling the driver and restarting the PC fixes this in most cases.
Headphones work but laptop speakers do not. What should I do?
Unplug the headphones fully and check that the laptop speakers are selected as the output. Some jacks get stuck in "headphone mode" because of dust or a bent contact. If the speakers stay silent with the correct device and a fresh driver, the internal speakers or their cable may need a technician.
Is it safe to uninstall the audio driver?
Yes. Uninstalling the driver in Device Manager does not delete your files. After a restart, Windows installs a working driver automatically, often the generic High Definition Audio Device driver. You can then install the manufacturer's driver if you need extra features such as an equaliser or microphone settings.
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Megabuy BD sells authentic speakers, headphones, earbuds and computer accessories at clear prices. We deliver nationwide with cash on delivery, and Dhaka orders usually arrive within 24–48 hours.
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