Speakers Not Working

Speakers not working while the rest of your computer behaves normally narrows the problem down to the speaker path: the wrong output, a headphone jack that thinks something is plugged in, power and cables on desktop speakers, or the speakers themselves. Run the speaker test first. A voice names each speaker as it plays, so you hear straight away whether both are silent, one is silent or they crackle. If you get no sound from anything, headphones included, the cause is Windows or the driver, and the guide for no sound on computer is the better place to start.

Quick checks

• Desktop speakers: the power adapter is plugged in, the power LED is lit and the volume knob is past a quarter. The cable goes into the lime green jack, not pink or blue.
• Laptop speakers: unplug anything in the headphone jack, turn off Bluetooth for a moment, and press the speaker mute key if its light is on.
• The output: select the speaker icon on the taskbar, then the arrow next to the volume slider, and choose the speakers. A new monitor, dock or headset often takes over as the default.
• Volume down first. Turn the volume down before you replug speakers, so a loud pop does not damage them.

Computer speakers not working: power, jacks and cables

Most problems with desktop speakers are physical. Work through the chain from the wall socket to the computer.

• Rear before front. The front jacks on a tower only work if the case's audio cable is connected to the motherboard. Plug the speakers into the green jack at the back to rule that out.
• 2.1 systems. On sets with a subwoofer, the small speakers usually plug into the sub, and the sub has the power switch. Check those cables too.
• USB speakers do not use the green jack at all. They appear in Windows as their own output, which you must select.
• Test outside the PC. Plug the speakers into a phone, tablet or laptop. If they stay silent there, the speakers, their cable or their power adapter has failed.

Hum or buzz with no music playing usually comes from the power side, not the computer. Plug the speakers and the PC into the same power strip and keep the audio cable away from power bricks.

Laptop speakers silent, but headphones work

This is the most common laptop speaker fault, and it is usually not the speakers.

1. Jack detection is stuck. A laptop mutes its speakers when the headphone jack reports a plug, and lint or a bent contact can keep that switch closed. The signs: the output list shows Headphones with nothing plugged in, or the volume moves but nothing comes out. Plug headphones in and out a few times, then clean the jack as described in the headphone jack not working guide.
2. The speakers are disabled. In Settings, System, Sound, More sound settings, right-click the Playback list, tick Show Disabled Devices and enable the speakers.
3. The speaker amplifier driver is missing. Many recent laptops drive the speakers through a separate smart amplifier that needs the maker's own audio driver, while the headphone jack works without it. If the speakers went quiet after a Windows update or a clean install, reinstall the full audio driver package for your exact model from HP, Dell, Lenovo, ASUS or your maker's support page.
4. The maker's audio app. Dell laptops with Waves MaxxAudio and HP models with Bang & Olufsen Audio Control add their own speaker settings on top of Windows. Open the app and check the speakers are on and not muted there.

Only one speaker plays, or one is quieter

Play the left right audio test to confirm which side is missing. Then:

• Balance. In Windows 11, open Settings, System, Sound, select the speakers and look under Output settings for the left and right channel sliders. In Windows 10, open the speakers' Properties, Levels tab, Balance.
• Mono audio. Settings, Accessibility, Audio, Mono audio (Ease of Access, Audio in Windows 10) sends the same sound to both sides. It cannot revive a dead speaker, but the working one then plays everything while you wait for a repair.
• Speaker setup. In the classic Sound window, select the speakers and choose Configure. A pair of speakers should be set to Stereo. If it is set to 5.1 or 7.1, some sound goes to speakers you do not have.
• The plug. A plug that is not fully in plays one channel. Push it in until it clicks and turn it slowly while music plays.
• Swap the sides. On a desktop set, swap the left and right speaker cables. If the silence moves with the cable, replace the cable. If it stays with the speaker, that speaker has failed.

Crackling, distortion or popping

• Too loud. Distortion that appears only at high volume means the speakers' amplifier is overdriven. Keep Windows at about 80% and set the level with the speakers' own knob, below the point where it starts to distort.
• Effects and format. Set Audio enhancements to Off on the speakers' page in Settings, and in the speakers' Properties, Advanced tab, choose 24 bit, 48000 Hz as Default Format.
• Crackles under load. If crackling comes with games or downloads, a driver is stalling the audio. Update the chipset, Wi-Fi and graphics drivers from the maker.
• A damaged speaker. Play the bass test at moderate volume. A blown driver buzzes or sounds fuzzy on low notes. A rattle at one note only is often a loose screw, grille or cable touching the cone.

Bluetooth speakers

1. Turn the speaker on and put it in pairing mode. Many speakers connect to only one source at a time, so disconnect your phone first.
2. In Windows 11, open Settings, Bluetooth & devices, Add device, Bluetooth, and pick the speaker. In Windows 10, use Settings, Devices, Bluetooth & other devices.
3. Once it shows Connected music, select it as the output.
4. If it connects with no sound, remove the device, turn the speaker off and on, and pair again. Check that the speaker is set to Bluetooth and not AUX input.

If the sound lags behind video, measure it with the bluetooth audio delay test. For pairing failures, see bluetooth not working.

Monitor and TV speakers

A monitor on HDMI or DisplayPort shows up as its own output, named after the screen. Select it, then check the volume and mute in the monitor's own menu. Many monitors have no speakers, only a headphone jack that passes the sound through, so check the specifications before you troubleshoot further.

Mac speakers

1. Open System Settings, Sound, Output, and select the built-in speakers. The Type column marks the built-in device.
2. Check that Output volume is up, not muted, and that Balance sits in the middle.
3. Disconnect headphones, USB audio devices and external displays, which can take over the output.
4. If the speakers still play nothing while headphones sound fine, Apple's guide for Mac speakers that are not working says the Mac might need service.

When it is a hardware fault

Speakers rarely fail without a sign. Look for one of these:

• Desktop speakers silent on every device, with no power light. The power adapter or the built-in amplifier has failed. Many sets have the amplifier in one speaker or the subwoofer, so that unit is the one to replace.
• One laptop speaker dead, or buzzing on every sound. The speaker or its connector inside the laptop has failed. It is a cheap part, but it needs the case opened, so use the warranty if you have it.
• Crackling that follows the speaker, not the source. A torn cone or loose voice coil. Replace the speaker.

Before you book a laptop repair, run the maker's diagnostics (HP PC Hardware Diagnostics, Dell SupportAssist or Lenovo Diagnostics) and note the result with your serial number. While you wait, USB or Bluetooth speakers work around a failed internal speaker or jack.

Speaker questions