If you have no sound after a Windows 11 update, begin by checking where audio is being sent. A silent laptop does not always need a new driver: sound may be routed to a monitor, muted in one app, or affected by an audio setting.
This guide focuses on playback through speakers or headphones. Microphone recording needs different checks. For missing Bluetooth or headphones that will not pair, use our Windows 11 Bluetooth troubleshooting guide. On a managed work or school PC, involve your IT team before changing drivers or services.
September 2026: Check for a Known USB Audio Issue
Checked September 14, 2026. Microsoft has confirmed that some USB Audio Class 1.0 devices can lose sound or show Device Manager Code 10 after KB5124008. The issue is limited to that device class; it does not explain every silent speaker or Bluetooth headset. Microsoft was still working on a resolution at this check.
Compare your installed update and device details with the official issue details and current status before making further driver changes. For affected multichannel devices, Microsoft reports that some users restored playback in 2-channel mode; this is not a confirmed fix for every device. Record the original setting before trying an available alternative.
Jump to a Check
September USB audio issue
Compare the symptoms
1. Select the audio output
2. Check app volume
3. Troubleshooter and effects
4. Review the audio driver
5. Restart audio services
Confirm recovery
Start with a Quick Comparison
| Test result | Next check |
|---|---|
| All apps are silent | Selected output, system volume, and audio device |
| Only one app is silent | That app’s volume and output settings |
| Headphones work, speakers do not | Speaker selection, cables, and device settings |
| No output device appears | Device detection and the correct audio driver |
Use a familiar local audio file for the comparison if you have one. This separates a playback problem from a stalled online video. Start at a low volume, especially with headphones, and change one setting at a time.
1. Select the Speaker or Headphones You Want
Open Settings → System → Sound. Under Output, choose the intended speakers or headphones and check that volume is not muted. A connected HDMI or USB display may also appear as an audio destination.
Check physical connections and any volume control on the speaker or headset. Test another available output without changing the driver yet. Microsoft’s general sound troubleshooting guide covers connections and playback devices.
2. Check the App in Volume Mixer
Go to Settings → System → Sound → Volume mixer. Check the system volume and the affected app’s volume. Also inspect the app’s own sound control and output selection, particularly in meeting software or a media player.
For example, if a local music player works but your meeting app stays silent, keep the investigation focused on that app. Record which apps work; do not treat one failed video as proof that every audio device is broken.
3. Run the Audio Troubleshooter and Check Effects
Open Get Help and run the automated Audio troubleshooter. Follow its results, then test playback again.
If sound remains absent, select your output device under Settings → System → Sound and set Audio enhancements to Off if available. Note the previous setting so you can restore it if there is no improvement. Microsoft describes this in its speaker and headphone no-sound guide.
4. Review Updates and the Audio Driver
Save your work, complete pending Windows updates, and restart. For a problem that began with an update, Microsoft also recommends reviewing the audio driver.
Open Device Manager → Sound, video and game controllers. Identify the audio device, then open Properties → Driver. Record its version before changing it. If a previous driver exists, Roll Back Driver may be available; follow the prompts and restart.
If rollback is unavailable, use Update driver or your PC manufacturer’s official driver for the exact model. Avoid choosing a similarly named driver from an unrelated PC. See Microsoft’s audio recovery steps after an update.
5. Restart Audio Services if Needed
Close audio apps. Search for services.msc, then restart Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder if the controls are available. Test playback afterward. If access is restricted or a service reports an error, record the message and contact support rather than changing unrelated service settings.
Confirm Recovery Before Making More Changes
Replay the same sample through the output you intended to use. Then check your usual app and confirm the volume is comfortable. Keep a note of the successful change so you can explain what happened if the issue returns.
If nothing helps, provide support with your PC model, output device, driver version, update name, and comparison results. Before a broader recovery operation, follow our Windows 11 file backup guide. If the update also disrupted wireless access, use the separate Wi-Fi troubleshooting guide.