What to Do If My Computer Has No Sound?

What should be done when a computer goes mute? The solution is mostly quite simple and you can get back to having sound in no time.

There can be two reasons for any computer problem. One, a software level anomaly and the other, a hardware problem. The audio facility is obviously made possible by speakers but the hardware device, inside the computer, which makes it possible, is the sound card. On a software level, to control the output, there is a software program called an audio driver.

Here are the host of reasons why your computer may not have sound, along with instructions on how you could fix the problem, in each case.

Parents may not know much about computers and often, when using them, either of your parents may accidentally mute the sound, by clicking on the desktop icon. Check if that's the problem in your case.

Fix
Assuming that you are using Windows XP or Windows Vista. Click on the speaker icon on your toolbar at the bottom and see to it that the audio is 'unmuted' and there is no cross on the speaker symbol. That should restore sound.

Connecting the sound card with the wrong output port, at the back of the computer, may be the reason for your computer having no audio output. Another reason might be the cutting out of power to your speakers, due to the wires being disconnected.

Lastly, your speakers may have quit on you, due to some electrical problem. The volume of the speakers may have been set to the lowest level. Check for all these cases.

Fix
If it's because of the speakers quitting on you, just get them replaced. Make sure that the speaker wires are connected in the right positions and check that the sound card audio output port is connected with the speakers. Check for loose wires and connections. That may restore the audio functionality.

If nothing's wrong with the speaker, then check if the audio output port has a signal at all. Check this, by directly connecting the headset with the audio output port of the sound card and testing it. If there is no sound, you may have a problem with the driver software. Check if the sound devices and their drivers are installed through 'Control Panel'.

Fix
Make a re-installation of the audio driver through the appropriate installation CD. It should immediately restore sound.

If you have reinstalled the audio drivers again and still there is no sound, then you have a serious problem. Chances are that your audio card has malfunctioned. To check that, you may have to consult a computer technician.

Fix
You will have to install a new sound card, which may cost you around USD 15 - USD 100, depending upon your system requirements. Make sure that the card is compatible with the motherboard of your computer.

You will definitely be able to trace the source of your problem to one of the mentioned reasons and be able to fix the problem on your own, in no time.