1. Check your volume settings

This may seem obvious, but it’s often overlooked. Here’s how to check your volume settings in Windows 10:

1. Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar
2. Click “Open Sound settings.”
3. In the Sound Settings window, click “Sound Control Panel.”
4. In the Sound Control Panel, open the “Playback” tab
5. Right-click on the default audio device (indicated by a green checkmark)
6. Select “Test” to perform an audio test
7. If you don’t hear anything, right-click the default audio device again and select “Properties.”
8. In the Properties window, select the “Levels” tab
9. Adjust the volume slider and make sure the speaker icon is not muted

2. Restart or change your audio device

Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve audio issues. If that doesn’t work, try changing your audio output device:

1. Restart your PC
2. If the issue persists, go back to the Sound Control Panel
3. In the “Playback” tab, select a different audio device from the dropdown menu
4. Click “Set Default”
5. Test the audio with each available device

This can be particularly helpful if you’ve recently plugged in a new audio device, like a gaming headset, which may have been set as the default output.

3. Update or reinstall audio drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers are a common cause of audio problems. Here’s how to address this:

1. Type “Device Manager” in the taskbar search
2. Expand the “Sound, video, and game controllers” section
3. Right-click on your audio device and select “Update driver.”
4. Choose “Search automatically for updated driver software.”

If updating doesn’t work, try uninstalling and reinstalling the driver:

1. In Device Manager, right-click the audio device and select “Uninstall device.”
2. Check the box for “Delete the driver software for this device.”
3. Click “Uninstall”
4. Restart your PC to reinstall the driver automatically

4. Disable audio enhancements

Audio enhancements can sometimes interfere with sound output. To disable them:

1. Go to the Sound Control Panel
2. Right-click your audio device and select “Properties.”
3. Go to the “Enhancements” tab
4. Check the box for “Disable all sound effects.”
5. Click “Apply” and “OK”

5. Update BIOS

While less common, BIOS issues can affect audio output. To check and update your BIOS:

1. Restart your computer and run the BIOS/UEFI setup menu
2. Look for audio settings in the BIOS
3. In the “Advanced” menu, ensure the sound card is enabled
4. If issues persist, update your BIOS (consult your computer’s manual for specific instructions)

When to seek professional help

If you’ve tried all these steps and still have no sound on your PC, it may be time to consult a professional. Hardware issues, such as a faulty sound card or damaged audio jack, may require expert diagnosis and repair.

HP laptops and desktops with reliable audio

If you’re in the market for a new computer with dependable audio performance, consider these HP models:

HP ENVY Laptop 17t-cw100