Fix the Volume on Your Computer in Windows

Volume issues are very common on a Windows computer. Usually, in Windows XP and Windows 7, issues can be fixed easily by adjusting the settings or reinstalling a sound card. With a little patience and troubleshooting, you can fix a volume issue on your own.

Steps

Fixing a Loss of Sound

  1. Use a troubleshooter. Windows computers come with built in troubleshooters that can help you fix volume issues. Click on the "Start" bar, usually found on the lower lefthand screen. Click "Control Panel." On the control panel, click "Troubleshooting" and then "Hardware and Sound." From there, select the option "Troubleshoot audio playback." Your computer will ask you a series of questions that will help the troubleshooter determine the cause of your volume issue. In most cases, a volume issue can be fixed using Windows built-in troubleshooter.[1]
  2. Check the sound card. A sound card is a device you need to install in a windows computer in order for the computer to play sound. If your volume is not working, check to make sure your device has a sound card and that it was installed properly.
    • Access the search bar on the lower right hand of your computer's screen. Type "Device Manager" into the search bar. This should pull up the Device Manager, which you can use to check your sound card.[2]
    • From there, click "Sound, video and game controllers." If a sound card is listed, you have a sound card installed. Your volume issue is being caused by something else. If no sound card is listed, you may have to purchase and install your own sound card. Your device's manufacturer's instructions should provide advice on how to do this.[2]
  3. Look at the cables. Check the cables connecting your speakers, headphones, microphones, or other devices to your computer or laptop. It's not uncommon for cables to become jostled or loose as you're using a computer. If a cable has come unplugged, this is likely the cause of your volume issue. Reinsert a loose cable and see if the volume on your computer improves.[2]
  4. Check the volume. It's possible the volume is very low or the power is turned off. This can make it very difficult to hear sounds from your computer.
    • Once again, access the search bar on the bottom right corner of the screen. Type "Adjust speaker volume" in the search box and tap the icon that comes up. Move the slider to increase the volume and see if you can hear better.[2]
    • You may have to check the volume control for several devices. Windows Media Player has its own volume control, as do any external speakers your'e using. Some websites, like YouTube, also have their own volume control. Check to see if the volume on any of these devices is muted or turned very low.[2]
  5. Check for updates. Sometimes, your sound card may be incompatible with Windows software. In this case, installing any necessary updates can help address the issue. There are several ways to install updates.
    • Windows Update, a feature that updates software to fix errors and bugs, is probably the easiest way to install updates. You can simply click "Install updates" when prompted. You can also manually check for updates by accessing Windows Update through the control panel. This should keep your software up-to-date and fix any sound issues.[3]
    • In some cases, you may have to manually install a driver or sound card. If you bought the device from an outside manufacturer, you will usually have to install and update it on your own. The manufacturer's instructions for that specific sound card should provide information on how to install.[3]
  6. See what playback device is selected. If sound is not playing from your computer, this may be because the wrong playback device is selected. For example, if the computer is set to play sound through headphones, sound may not come out of external speakers. To check the output device, click "start." Then type "sound" into the search bar.
    • Click on the "Playback" tab. See what playback device has been selected for your computer. If it's something other than the device you're using, this is likely the cause of your loss of sound.[4]
    • Simply select the device you're using as the playback device. Sound should resume.[4]

Adjusting Volume Issues

  1. Adjust crackling, distorted sound. Sometimes, your volume may work but the sound that comes out is crackling or distorted. In this case, there are several ways you can try to fix the issue.
    • First, check your speakers. Make sure your speakers are properly connected to the computer. If cables are loose, this can affect sound.[1]
    • Check where your speakers are plugged in. There are several jacks on the back of a computer where you plug in speakers. Choosing the wrong jack can lead to crackling sounds. Try switching which jack you're using and see if you notice any change.[1]
    • If your speakers are optional, try disabling them and just using your computer's built-in sound system. Your speakers may not be of the right quality or simply not be compatible with your computer or laptop.[1]
    • Check to make sure your cables are not damaged. Damaged cables may cause distorted sound and need to be replaced.
  2. See if your sound card is compatible with Windows. Your sound card may not be compatible with the version of Windows you're running. You can go to the Windows Compatibility Center. This website provides an extensive list of software and devices. You should be able to see which versions of Windows a particular sound card works with. If your sound card is not compatible, you may have to invest in a new one. Remember, you can make sure a sound card is installed by going through the Device Manager.[1]
  3. Get Windows to recognize a sound card. Sometimes, Windows may fail to recognize a sound card. In this case, there are several ways you can troubleshoot this error.
    • Try using Windows Update, which you can access through your control panel, to update your software. Normally, Windows Update updates your software once a week. However, check for updates manually by searching for "Windows Update" in the control panel. If it says you have updates to download, this may be the cause of the sound issue.
    • You should also download any discs and software that came with the driver. Certain software may be necessary to install for your sound card to work.[1]
  4. Fix volume issues coming from a portable device. If you're having trouble getting a microphone, speaker, or other audio device to play sound from your computer, this may be due to which sound jack you're using. Most computers and laptops have several different sound jacks you can use to plug in audio devices. Plugging a device into the wrong jack will affect volume, so try switching the jack. If this doesn't work, see if the jack is muted.
    • You can see if the jack is muted by clicking on the "Start" tab in the lower lefthand corner of your computer. Then, click on the control panel and type in "sound." If you're checking a microphone, click "microphone." If you're checking another jack, click "line in" or "line out." The line-in jack is blue and the line-out jack is green.
    • You can then click on the levels tab. There should be a small button with a picture of a megaphone. If there's a red cross going through the megaphone, the sound is muted. Click on the button to un-mute the sound.[5]

Recovering the Volume or Sound Icon

  1. Access sounds and audio devices from the control panel. Sometimes, you may accidentally hide the volume or sound icon from your desktop. This can make it hard to control or adjust volume. If you have Windows XP, you can access the device from your control panel.
    • Click on the "Start" menu at the bottom of the computer. From there, click on the control panel.[6]
    • Click on the icon that says "Sounds and Auto Devices."[6]
  2. Check the "Place volume icon in the task bar" box. Once you click on "Sounds and Devices" a screen should come up. Click on the "volume" tab at the top of the screen. There should be a box that says "Place volume icon in the task bar." Click that box. Your volume icon should return.[6]
  3. Customize your task bar. In Windows 7, there is task bar, marked by a small triangle-shaped icon, where you'll find settings like volume. If you want volume as a separate setting, you'll have to customize your task bar. To start, right click on the triangle and from there click the "properties" option.[6]
    • A box should pop up labeled "Taskbar and Start Menu Properties." Click the "customize" icon in this box.[6]
    • On the next screen, you will be presented with a variety of options. There should be a scroll down menu next to the word "volume." Make sure you switch "volume" to on. Doing so will result in a volume icon appearing on your desktop.[6]



Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/tips-fixing-common-sound-problems#tips-fixing-common-sound-problems=windows-7
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/no-sound-help#no-sound=windows-8&v1h=win8tab2&v2h=win7tab1&v3h=winvistatab1
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/no-sound-help#no-sound=windows-8&v1h=win8tab4&v2h=win7tab1&v3h=winvistatab1
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2189260/sound-changing-default-output-device.html
  5. ↑ http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/connect-audio-device#1TC=windows-7
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 http://www.online-tech-tips.com/computer-tips/how-to-recover-the-volume-or-sound-icon-to-your-windows-taskbar/
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