Laptop Speakers Not Working? 9 Fixes

No sound from your laptop speakers usually means the sound is going to the wrong output (headphones, a monitor or a Bluetooth device), the laptop is muted, or the audio driver has a problem. Real speaker damage is less common. Follow these steps in order.

Step 1: Test the speakers

Open our speaker test and press Left Speaker Test and Right Speaker Test. If you hear sound, the speakers work and the problem is with a specific app or website. If you hear nothing, or only one side, continue below.

Step 2: Check mute and volume

• Press the volume-up key and the mute key (often F1–F4 with a speaker icon; you may need to hold the Fn key).
• Click the speaker icon in the taskbar (Windows) or menu bar (Mac) and raise the volume.
• On Windows, right-click the speaker icon, open Volume mixer and make sure your browser or app is not muted.
• Check that the browser tab is not muted (right-click the tab).

Step 3: Choose the laptop speakers as the output

When you connect a monitor or TV by HDMI, a Bluetooth speaker or headphones, the laptop may keep sending sound there even after you disconnect it.

• Windows 11: Settings → System → Sound → Output and choose Speakers (often named after the sound chip, such as "Speakers (Realtek Audio)").
• Windows 10: click the speaker icon, then the arrow above the volume slider, and pick Speakers.
• Mac: System Settings → Sound → Output and select MacBook Speakers.

Turn off Bluetooth for a moment to make sure a paired device is not taking the sound.

Step 4: Unplug headphones and check the jack

If the laptop thinks headphones are still plugged in, it mutes the speakers. Plug a pair of headphones in and out a few times, and check the headphone jack for lint. On some Macs a red light inside the jack means the port is stuck in digital mode – reinserting a plug usually clears it.

Step 5: Run the audio troubleshooter (Windows)

Right-click the speaker icon and choose Troubleshoot sound problems, or search the Start menu for "audio troubleshooter". Windows checks the service, driver and settings automatically.

Step 6: Restart the audio driver or service

Windows

1. Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
2. Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
3. Right-click your audio device (for example Realtek, Conexant, Intel Smart Sound) and choose Update driver.
4. If sound stopped after an update, choose Properties → Driver → Roll Back Driver.
5. If neither helps, choose Uninstall device and restart. Windows installs a fresh driver.

The best driver usually comes from your laptop maker's support page (Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, Acer). Search for your model number.

Mac

Restart the Mac. If sound is still missing, open Terminal and run sudo killall coreaudiod to restart the audio system, then enter your password.

Step 7: Turn off audio enhancements

Some enhancements cause silence or crackling. On Windows 11 go to Settings → System → Sound, choose Speakers, and set Audio enhancements to Off. Also try a different Format such as 24-bit, 48000 Hz on the same page.

Step 8: Only one laptop speaker works?

Check the left/right channel sliders (Windows) or Balance slider (Mac) and make sure mono audio is off – see our mono vs stereo guide. Then use the left right audio test. If one side stays silent with correct settings, the speaker or its small cable inside the laptop is loose or damaged and needs a repair shop.

Step 9: Signs of a hardware problem

• Headphones work, but the speakers stay silent with every setting correct.
• The speakers buzz, rattle or crackle at low volume – see why speakers crackle.
• Sound stopped after a drop or a liquid spill.

In these cases the speakers or their connector inside the laptop need replacing. If the laptop is under warranty, contact the maker before opening it.

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