Fix sound or audio problems in Windows – Microsoft Support

Hardware problems can be caused by outdated or malfunctioning drivers. Make sure your audio driver is up to date and update it if needed. If that doesn’t work, try uninstalling the audio driver (it will reinstall automatically). If that doesn’t work, try using the generic audio driver that comes with Windows. If you’re having audio issues after installing updates, try rolling back your audio driver.

To update your audio driver automatically:

1. In the search box on the taskbar, type device manager, then select it from the results.

2. Select the arrow next to Sound, video and game controllers to expand it.

3. Select and hold (or right-click) the listing for your sound card or audio device, such as headphones or speakers, select Update driver, then select Search automatically for drivers. Follow the instructions to complete the update.

   

   

If Windows doesn’t find a new driver, look for one on the device manufacturer’s website and follow those instructions. If that doesn’t work, try uninstalling your audio driver.

To uninstall your audio driver:

1. In the search box on the taskbar, type device manager, then select it from the results.

2. Select the arrow next to Sound, video and game controllers to expand it.

3. Select and hold (or right-click) the listing for your sound card or audio device, select Uninstall device, select the Attempt to remove the driver for this device check box, and then select Uninstall. 

   

4. Restart your PC.
    

   Note: Be sure to save your documents and any other current work before you restart.

   • This restart will automatically prompt your PC to reinstall your audio driver.

   • To restart, select Start  > Power  > Restart .

If those options didn’t work, try using the generic audio driver that comes with Windows.

To use the generic audio driver that comes with Windows:

1. In the search box on the taskbar, type device manager, then select it from the results.

2. Select the arrow next to Sound, video and game controllers to expand it.

3. Select and hold (or right-click) the listing for your sound card or audio device, then select Update driver > Browse my computer for drivers > Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.

4. Select the audio device whose driver you want to update, select Next, and then follow the instructions to install it.

   

If these steps didn’t solve your audio issue, visit your device manufacturer’s website and install the most recent audio/sound drivers for your device. The following is an example of a driver download page for a sound device manufacturer.

If you have audio issues after installing updates

If your audio was working before you ran Windows Update and now isn’t working, try rolling back your audio driver.

To roll back your audio driver:

1. In the search box on the taskbar, type device manager, then select it from the results.

2. Select the arrow next to Sound, video and game controllers to expand it.

3. Select and hold (or right-click) the listing for your sound card or audio device, then select Properties.

4. Select the Driver tab, then select Roll Back Driver.

   

5. Read and follow the instructions and then select Yes if you want to roll back your audio driver.

If rolling back your audio driver didn’t work or wasn’t an option, you can try to restore your PC from a system restore point.

Restore your PC from a system restore point:

When Microsoft installs updates on your system, we create a system restore point in case problems arise. Try restoring from that point and see if that fixes your sound problems. For more info, see “Restore from a system restore point” in Recovery options in Windows.