how to fix the sound on my laptop

Select the laptop’s built-in speakers as the Windows 11 output device, raise their volume, and set them as the default playback device.

1. Select the built-in speakers

1. Disconnect any headphones.
2. Open Start → Settings → System → Sound.
3. Under Output, select Speakers—often shown as Speakers (Realtek Audio) or a similar name.
4. Make sure the output is not muted and raise the volume.
5. Play the video again. ^1^

If more than one output appears, avoid selecting a disconnected headset, Bluetooth device, monitor, or HDMI output.

2. Make the speakers the default

If the speakers are listed but remain silent:

1. Go to Settings → System → Sound.
2. Select More sound settings → Playback.
3. Right-click Speakers and select Set as Default Device.
4. Select OK, then test the video again.
5. If there is still no sound, return to System → Sound, select the speakers, and set Audio enhancements to Off. ^1^

Also test another video or application. If only one video is silent, check that video player’s own volume and mute control.

3. If Speakers are missing

If Speakers do not appear under Output, or Windows says No audio output device is installed:

1. Open Start, search for Device Manager, and open it.
2. Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
3. If the audio device is present, right-click it and select Enable device if that option appears.
4. If it is absent, select View → Show hidden devices, followed by Action → Scan for hardware changes.
5. Check Settings → System → Sound again. ^2^

4. Run the Windows 11 audio troubleshooter

Open Get Help, search for audio troubleshooter, and run the automated diagnostic. It can detect and attempt to repair common output and driver problems. ^1^

5. Repair the audio driver

If the speakers are detected but still produce no sound:

1. Open Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates.
2. Install available audio driver updates and restart the laptop.
3. If that does not help, open Device Manager → Sound, video and game controllers.
4. Right-click the audio device and select Update driver → Search automatically for drivers.
5. Restart Windows and test again.

If updating does not work, right-click the audio device in Device Manager, select Uninstall device, confirm, and then restart. Windows should reinstall the driver automatically. If it does not, download the Windows 11 audio driver for the laptop’s exact model from its manufacturer’s support site. ^3^

If the issue began immediately after an update and Device Manager → audio device → Properties → Driver → Roll Back Driver is available, roll back the driver and restart. That option appears only when Windows has retained a previous driver version. ^4^

If the speakers remain absent after installing the manufacturer’s driver, the internal audio hardware may require diagnosis by the laptop manufacturer.

References

1. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/audio/fix-audio-issues-when-no-sound-plays-from-speakers-or-headphones-in-windows)
2. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/audio/fix-missing-or-undetected-audio-output-device-in-windows)
3. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/audio/update-audio-drivers-in-windows)
4. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/audio/fix-audio-stops-working-after-a-windows-update-in-windows)