Direct answer
Unmute Windows and the app, choose the correct output device, run the Audio troubleshooter, then restart audio services or update the sound driver. Test headphones and speakers separately before changing enhancements or drivers.
What this covers
- Windows 11 PCs with missing output from speakers, displays or headsets
- Current supported consumer software as reviewed on August 20, 2026
- The symptom described in the title before a factory reset or hardware repair
What it does not cover
- ×Physically damaged speakers or unsupported professional audio hardware
- ×Billing, ownership, warranty or account-recovery disputes
- ×Regional features that the manufacturer does not list for your country
Select the correct output
ReversibleChoose the speaker icon in the taskbar, open the output selector and pick the intended speakers, display or headset.
Check volume mixer and cables
ReversibleUnmute system and app volume, then reconnect analog, USB, HDMI or Bluetooth audio hardware.
Run the Audio troubleshooter
ReversibleUse the Get Help audio troubleshooter and apply only the changes it explains.
Update or roll back the audio driver
ReversibleUse Device Manager after noting the current driver version. Restart Windows and retest one output.
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Visible sources support the visible claims. Home Product Support records the publisher, the fact used and the review date; community reports can suggest an issue but do not become a published fact on their own.
Exact questions
Common follow-ups
What should I try first for windows 11 has no sound?+
Choose the speaker icon in the taskbar, open the output selector and pick the intended speakers, display or headset.
Will these steps erase apps, files or settings?+
No data-erasing step is required in this sequence. Output and troubleshooter steps are reversible. Driver changes can alter vendor audio features, so record the current driver first.
When should I stop troubleshooting?+
Stop if the device reports hardware damage, becomes unusually hot, smells burnt, or the problem falls into this excluded case: Physically damaged speakers or unsupported professional audio hardware.
Answer for the exact device and software version shown above.