Frequently Asked Question

Note: The following steps assume that you have already downloaded and installed the audio driver recommendation(s) of DriverFinder on your PC.

Your PC is made up of many devices that interact with each other. Although in most cases updating your audio drivers is the solution to audio problems there may be other applications or PC settings interfering with your audio device.

Solution #1. Uninstall your current driver and then re-install the new audio driver provided by DriverFinder.

1. Open the Run window.
   
   
   • For Windows XP: Click the Windows Start button and select Run.
     
     
   
   
   • For Windows Vista and 7: Click the Windows Start button > All Programs > Accessories > Run.
     
     
   
   
   • For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10: Right-click the Windows Start button and select Run.
     
     
   
   
2. Type devmgmt.msc, then click the OK button to open Device Manager.


3. Click the View tab, then select Show hidden devices.
   
   


4. Scroll down and expand the Sound, video and game controllers category.
   
   
   


5. Select your audio device based on the audio device manufacturer (e.g., Realtek, C-Media, Creative, Turtle Beach, Yamaha, etc.).
   
   
   
   
   Note: If you cannot find your audio device, expand the Other devices category and look for the Multimedia Audio Controller or Audio Device on High Definition Audio Bus.
   
   
6. Right-click the audio device (or unknown device) and then select Uninstall (Windows XP, Vista and 7) or Uninstall device (Windows 8, 8.1 and 10).
   
   


7. Restart your PC.


8. Install the audio driver recommended by DriverFinder.


9. Restart your PC again.

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Solution #2. Ensure to Enable Speakers in your Sound Settings.

1. For Windows XP
   
   
   1. In the lower-right of the desktop screen, right-click the Sound icon and in the pop-up menu, select Adjust Audio Properties.
      
      
   
   
   2. In the Sound and Audio Device Properties window, click the drop-down menu button under Sound playback and select your audio device.
      
      
   
   
   3. Click Apply, then click OK.
      
      
   
   
   
2. For Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10:
   
   
   1. Open the Run window.
      
      
      • For Windows Vista and 7: Click the Windows Start button > All Programs > Accessories > Run.
        
        
      
      
      • For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10: Right-click the Windows Start button and select Run.
        
        
      
      
   2. Type control panel, then press the Enter key.
      
      
   
   
   3. In the top-left corner of Control Panel, click the drop-down menu button next to View by and select either Large icons or Small icons.
      
      
   
   
   4. In the list of settings, click Sound.
      
      
   
   
   5. In the Playback tab of the Sound window, right-click Speakers and select Enable.
      
      
      
   
   
   6. Click OK, then restart the PC and check if the audio is working.

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Solution #3. Check if the Playback device is muted.

1. For Windows XP
   
   
   1. In the lower-right of the desktop screen, right-click the Sound icon and in the pop-up menu, select Adjust Audio Properties.
      
      
      
      
      Tip: Did you notice the red slash in the Sound icon? It means your audio device is muted.
      
      
   2. In the Sound and Audio Device Properties window, unmark the check box for Mute.
      
      
   
   
   3. Click Apply, then click OK.
      
      
   
   
   
2. For Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10:
   
   
   1. In the lower-right corner of the desktop screen, right-click the Sound icon and select Open Volume Mixer.
      
      
   
   
   2. Click the Unmute button under Device, then close the Volume Mixer window.
      
      
   
   
   3. Play an audio file to see if it works.

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Solution #4. Ensure Windows Audio Service is Enabled.

Please see the article titled "How to Fix Missing Audio Caused by Windows Audio Service".