Windows Help Desk : UnOfficial: Windows 10 – Troubleshooting issues with Audio Playback

Preliminary Check

Ensure audio is not muted in both Audio Mixer and Media Player
Ensure that Speakers are turned ON
Ensure that Volume in the External Speakers/Headphones/Monitor (in case of

HDMI) is set to moderate and hearing level.
Confirm if Customer is using any external sound Cards (USB Sound Card, OR USB DAC)

Method 1: Automated Troubleshooter

Open Run Prompt (Windows Key +R)

Type Control and Click OK

Click on Troubleshooting

Click Troubleshoot audio Playback

Click Next

Select the Device to troubleshoot and Click Next

Click Apply this fix

Click Close Once troubleshooting is completed

Method 2: Check the Cables and ports

Microphone, line-in, and line-out jacks on a typical computer

Check the default audio device

Open Run Prompt (Windows key +R)

Type mmsys.cpl and press enter

In the Control Panel Select the audio Device and Click Set as default

Speakers and Headphone

HDMI

If the Device is Not Listed Right Select Show Disabled Devices

Determine if it is a hardware issue

Built-in or Internal Speakers

If your computer is using internal or Built-in speakers try connecting any external speaker or Headphone in the Line-out Jack and check if your computer can hear the audio output. If your computer can hear the audio through external speakers it could be a problem with Internal or Built in speakers (In some cases desktop Monitors come with built in speakers however require aux or Line –out cable from computer to be connected directly). There is also a possibility of setting different output devices to play different audio streams simultaneously. We can try reinstalling audio drivers to reset the driver settings.

External speakers or Headphones

Check if your computer can connect a different Audio device. However, ensure to confirm the Volume Level set in the controller, the port that device is connected before connecting a different device.

Rear port and Front Ports

In case of desktop try to switch Line-out cable between front and rear Line out ports.

If your computer cannot connect external Speakers or headphones proceed with troubleshooting steps mentioned below.

Reinstall Drivers

Open Run Prompt (Windows Key+R)

Type devmgmt.msc

Right Click and uninstall all the audio devices installed

Check Delete driver option and click on OK

Check with the your computer for Driver disc or Recovery tools installed in the computer for drivers and install the drivers if available.

HP Recovery Manager

Toshiba Application and Driver Installer

If your computer doesn’t have Disc or Computer doesn’t have driver Reinstallation tools. Follow

below mentioned Troubleshooting steps.

Open run prompt (Windows Key+R)

Type “Msinfo32” and press Enter

Make Note of the System Model Name and Download audio drivers for system from

Computer Manufacturer Website.

You May Use Third party tools link Everest Ultimate (Trial)/Aida64/astra32 for

determining the Computer Model if your computer doesn’t have the information.

Below is the Screenshot of Aida 64

If determining the Motherboard Model Using the tools doesn’t work for any reason confirm the Manufacturer Name with the your computer and Use auto detection tools available in most of the manufacturer websites to determine the exact model

Note – Some Manufacturers might have listed multiple audio drivers for same computer model. Download and install all the drivers related to the audio.

In the Below Screenshot for a Dell Computer you can see that dell provides Sigmatel and

Creative Labs audio enhancement software together.