20 Steps for Audio Troubleshooting on Windows
If your computer’s audio disappears frequently but comes
back after a reboot, the issue could be caused by a variety of hardware or
software problems. Here’s a step-by-step troubleshooting guide to help narrow
it down and fix it:
✅ Step 1: Check Basic Audio
Settings
- Volume
Mixer:
- Right-click
the speaker icon in the taskbar → Open Volume Mixer.
- Ensure
the volume isn’t muted and all sliders are up.
- Output
Device:
- Right-click
the speaker icon → Sound settings → Check that the correct audio
output device is selected (like "Speakers" or
"Headphones").
✅ Step 2: Restart Audio Services
- Press Win
+ R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
- Find Windows
Audio → Right-click → Restart.
- Also
restart:
- Windows
Audio Endpoint Builder
- Remote
Procedure Call (RPC)
✅ Step 3: Run the Audio
Troubleshooter
- Go to
Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other
troubleshooters.
- Select
Playing Audio and follow the prompts.
✅ Step 4: Update or Reinstall
Audio Drivers
- Update
Drivers:
- Right-click
Start → Device Manager → Expand Sound, video and game
controllers.
- Right-click
your audio driver → Update driver → Search automatically.
- Reinstall
Drivers:
- If
updating doesn’t work, right-click the audio driver → Uninstall device
→ Restart your computer (Windows should reinstall it automatically).
✅ Step 5: Disable Audio
Enhancements
- Right-click
the speaker icon → Sound settings → Device properties.
- Go to
the Enhancements tab → Uncheck Enable audio enhancements.
✅ Step 6: Check for Conflicting
Apps
- If
the issue occurs after using certain programs (e.g., Zoom, games, etc.),
they might be taking exclusive control of audio:
- Go
to Sound settings → Device properties → Advanced →
Uncheck Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device.
✅ Step 7: Check for BIOS or
Hardware Issues
- Restart
and enter BIOS (press F2, F10, or Del during boot).
- Make
sure the sound card is enabled.
- If
you're using external speakers or headphones, test with a different pair
to rule out hardware failure.
✅ Step 8: Disable and Re-enable
Audio Device
- Right-click
Start → Device Manager.
- Expand
Sound, video and game controllers.
- Right-click
the audio driver → Disable device → Wait a few seconds → Enable
device.
✅ Step 9: Check Audio Formats
Sometimes incorrect audio formats can cause issues:
- Right-click
the speaker icon → Sound settings → Device properties → Advanced
tab.
- Test
different formats (e.g., 16-bit, 24-bit) using the Test button.
- Start
with lower settings and gradually increase until you find a stable format.
✅ Step 10: Disable Audio Conflict
from HDMI Output
If you’re using both HDMI and standard audio output, there
might be a conflict:
- Right-click
the speaker icon → Sound settings → Manage sound devices.
- Disable
HDMI output (if you're not using it for audio).
✅ Step 11: Disable Fast Startup
Fast Startup can cause audio drivers to load incorrectly:
- Control
Panel → Power Options → Choose what the power button does.
- Click
Change settings that are currently unavailable.
- Uncheck
Turn on fast startup → Save changes.
- Restart
your computer.
✅ Step 12: Adjust Power Settings
for Audio
Windows may be cutting power to the audio device to save
energy:
- Open Device
Manager → Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
- Right-click
your audio device → Properties → Power Management tab.
- Uncheck
Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
- Repeat
this for any USB audio interfaces or Bluetooth devices.
✅ Step 13: Disable Conflicting
Startup Programs
Certain apps running at startup can interfere with audio:
- Press
Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Go
to the Startup tab.
- Disable
any audio-related apps (e.g., Realtek Audio Manager) one by one and test.
✅ Step 14: Check for Conflicting
Audio Drivers
- Open
Device Manager → Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
- If
you see multiple audio drivers (e.g., Realtek and NVIDIA),
disable all except the one you intend to use.
- Test
the audio.
✅ Step 15: Reset Windows Audio
Settings
- Go to
Settings → System → Sound.
- Scroll
down → Select Advanced sound options → Reset.
✅ Step 16: Create a New User
Profile
A corrupted user profile can cause audio issues:
- Go to
Settings → Accounts → Family & other users.
- Create
a new user profile → Log in and test the audio.
✅ Step 17: Roll Back Windows
Update (if the issue started after an update)
- Go to
Settings → Update & Security → Recovery.
- Select
Go back to the previous version of Windows (if available).
✅ Step 18: Update BIOS and
Chipset Drivers
- Visit
your computer manufacturer's website.
- Download
the latest BIOS and chipset drivers.
- Follow
the manufacturer’s instructions to install them.
✅ Step 19: Check for Hardware
Issues
- Test
with external speakers or headphones to confirm if the issue is
hardware-related.
- If
using a laptop, try using a USB sound card or an external audio interface.
✅ Step 20: Perform a Clean
Boot
To rule out conflicts with third-party software:
- Press
Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
- Go to
the Services tab → Check Hide all Microsoft services → Click
Disable all.
- Go to
the Startup tab → Open Task Manager → Disable all startup
items.
- Restart
your computer and check audio.
🚨 If Nothing Works:
👉 Try restoring Windows
to a previous restore point:
- Settings
→ System → Recovery → Open System Restore.
👉 If the audio disappears
even in Safe Mode or from an external audio source, it’s likely a hardware
problem (e.g., failing sound card, loose connection).
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