The audio itself of a computer can fail for different reasons, in the same way that we can run out of sound on our laptop . However, when it happens in this last device, it is most likely that we end up panicking, mainly due to the fact that in a laptop we cannot change the speakers, or access internally more easily to replace the sound card.
When it occurs, the failures could be due to hardware or software problems. And, if it happens, the internal speakers of the laptop may not work, or that by connecting our favorite headphones we simply stop listening. It could even be due to the installation of a new operating system update, which added some kind of modification that could have conflicted with the sound card software, or with old audio drivers.
First of all we must remain calm. There are some simple solutions that could be very helpful when trying to identify where the problem could be; and, above all, fix it.
Checking the volume
On occasions, it may happen that we have accidentally muted the volume of our laptop without realizing it, either after having pressed the mute button on the keyboard or after having clicked on the speaker icon that we find located in the traditional taskbar Windows.
To verify if this may be the problem, we will only have to access the taskbar and click on the speaker icon that we will find located in the lower right part of it. If a speaker icon with an ‘X’ is displayed, it means that we have muted it.
In case of having connected external speakers, we will only have to turn them on and increase the volume. If we hear a sound like ‘ding’, but we still do not get the audio we want, we must verify the application we are trying to use, and deactivate it or increase the volume.
Use headphones
The laptop’s internal speakers may have stopped working, but the built-in sound card is working properly. For these cases, it will be enough to connect external speakers, or connect headphones, to continue listening to our favorite music.
When the problem is in the internal speakers, it is likely that we will have to go to a technician to fix it.
Check the connections
Sometimes the problem has to do only with the connection of the device we are using. Thus, it is necessary to check the connections of the headphones or external speakers when we are using them, looking for loose or improperly fixed cables.
Switch between different audio devices
If we have chosen to connect a USB audio device, or we have connected an external HDMI monitor without speakers, sometimes Windows can direct the audio to the wrong output device, which can cause the audio to not work properly.
To solve it, we must go to the Windows taskbar, and right-click on the traditional speaker icon. Then we must select Open sound settings , and modify the audio preferences. Thus, in the Output section, we must click on Manage sound devices , and select which device we want to use.
In any case, to make sure that we have chosen the correct one, a good idea is to click on the Test button. It is appropriate to try each of the audio devices that we see in this section, until, finally, we can hear the audio.
Running the audio troubleshooter
When you have no choice but to run it, opening the Windows Audio Troubleshooter can be of some help in automatically finding – and fixing – audio problems. To access it, we just have to enter the term ‘Audio troubleshooter’ in the search box on the taskbar, or access it through Start , Settings , System , Sound and Troubleshoot .
We will only have to click on the Solve button, and the system will automatically search for problems related to sound reproduction.
If nothing worked
If despite the advice and steps followed above, we have not managed to solve anything, it is very possible that the problem is due to an incident with the internal hardware of our laptop, possibly with the sound card.
In these cases, the only solution is to go to the technical service, and cross your fingers so that the repair does not involve a greater investment than buying a new laptop.
