Audio does not work on Windows 11, what to do

1. Check the volume

You can start by checking the volume on Windows 11. It might seem obvious, but it’s worth checking it before moving on to other solutions. To control the volume, click the speaker in the taskbar and move the slider to increase the volume. If you’re using headphones or speakers with their own volume controls, be sure to check them.

2. Change playback device

If you tend to use multiple audio devices with your PC, the audio may be coming from one device. To make sure your preferred device is set as the playback device, right-click the speaker icon from the bar applications and select Open Volume Mixer. In the following window, make sure the Input and Output devices are set to your preferred audio device.

3. Disable sound enhancements

Windows 11 PC comes with some audio enhancement packs, which you can use for get the best audio output. But if you experience sound problems, Windows recommends turning them off completely. That’s how.

1. Open the Settings app on Windows and go to Sound.
2. Scroll down to the Advanced section and click All Audio Devices.
3. Select the output device you are having trouble with.
4. Under Output Settings, turn off the switch next to Enhance Audio.

4. Run the audio troubleshooter

If the problem persists, you can turn to the tool resolution Windows problems for assistance. It has a dedicated audio troubleshooter that can detect and fix any minor audio issues on its own. Here’s how to do it.

1. Open the Start menu, type le troubleshooting settings and click on the first displayed result.
2. Go to More Troubleshooting Tools.
3. Click the Run button next to Audio Playback and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting.

5. Update or reinstall the audio driver

The audio driver on your PC helps Windows identify and interact with your PC hardware. And it is quite common for these audio drivers to become outdated or damaged over time. Therefore, you can try repair the audio driver updating it if the audio doesn’t work on Windows 11. Here’s how.

1. Click the Search icon from the system tray, type Device management and click on the first displayed result.
2. Find and expand “Sound, video and game controllers”. Then right click on the audio device and select “Update Driver” from the list.

Now follow the on-screen instructions to complete the driver update. If after updating the driver the audio still does not work on Windows 11, uninstall the annoying driver and restart your PC to allow Windows to reinstall them.

6. Restart the audio services

Windows has a service for almost all functions that runs every time you start your PC. It is possible that the audio service has not started properly and has led to the audio problem you are having. You can try restarting the audio service to see if it helps. That’s how.

1. Open the Start menu, type services and press Enter.
2. In the Services window, scroll all the way down to find Windows Audio. Right-click on Windows Audio and select Restart from the list.

Repeat the above procedure to restart the “Windows Audio Endpoint Builder” and “Remote Procedure Call” services as well.

7. Update Windows

Windows usually responds quickly when it comes to releasing bug and error fixes. Windows may have already released an update that fixes the current sound problems you are facing. Therefore, it is recommended that you check and install any pending updates for your Windows 11 PC.

8. Repair Windows 11

Finally, if audio still doesn’t work on Windows 11, you may need to consider resetting Windows. It will reset all your setting preferences to their default value. Here’s how to do it.

1. Press Windows key + I to launch the Settings app. Now go to the Windows Update tab and click on Advanced Options.
2. Scroll down to Additional Options and click Recovery.
3. Finally, in Recovery Options, click the Reset PC button to start resetting your PC.

You can choose to keep or remove your personal files while restoring your PC.

How are you feeling now?

Sound is an important part of any device. While such audio problems can actually ruin your Windows 11 experience, fixing them shouldn’t necessarily take that long with the solutions above.