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Audio Devices Not Working

Supported OS: Windows 7, 10, 11 (results vary)


Description

Are you experiencing audio issues on your Windows computer? It could be due to a malfunctioning audio driver. A driver is software that allows your operating system to communicate with the hardware on your computer. Without the proper driver, your audio hardware will not function correctly. Some common symptoms of a faulty audio driver include no sound coming from the speakers, static or crackling sound, or the audio driver not being recognized by the computer. To resolve this issue, you can try updating or reinstalling the audio driver. You can also check for any software conflicts or hardware malfunctions and troubleshoot accordingly.


Check Audio Drivers

If you are experiencing issues using or recognizing an audio device, you may want to check your audio drivers for any potential issues first. There are a few ways you can check for issues with audio drivers on your Windows system. Please see below for the complete steps:

Check Device Manager

Go to the Start menu, type in "Device Manager," and press Enter. Locate the audio driver under "Sound, video, and game controllers" and see if there is a yellow exclamation mark next to it. This can indicate an issue with the device itself, it is recommended you try swapping for a similar audio device to see if you get the same exclamation mark or not.

You must be an administrator user to make changes with Device Manager.

Check your Audio Settings

Go to the Start menu, type in "Sound," and press Enter. Under the "Playback" tab, check to see if the audio device is set as the default and if it is enabled.

Update the Driver

Right-click on the audio driver in Device Manager, select "Update Driver," and then choose "Search automatically for updated driver software." If no driver is found, it is likely you already have the most up-to-date version. 

In addition to the aforementioned steps, it's important to also check any third-party software that may be managing the drivers for your audio device. This software may have additional options for troubleshooting and resolving issues with the drivers. Make sure to check for updates and run any diagnostic tools that may be available through this software.


Check Outputs

Checking audio outputs on a computer involves ensuring that sound is being played through the desired device and that the device is properly configured. This can include checking the device's connection to the computer, adjusting audio settings, and troubleshooting any issues that may be preventing sound from being played.

Check Connectivity

make sure the audio output device is properly connected to the computer. For example, ensure that the audio jack is securely plugged into the computer, or that the device is paired and connected wirelessly. If you still have issues hearing the audio device, try a different audio jack if applicable.

Change Default Audio Device

Check the audio settings on the Windows computer to ensure that the correct device is selected as the default audio output. This can typically be done by going to the Sound settings in the control panel, or through the audio settings in the system tray.


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