Here are solutions to some common sound problems with a PC.
Try using the Playing Audio troubleshooter to fix the problem. It checks for common problems with your volume settings, your sound card or driver, and your speakers or headphones.
Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search.(If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, and then click Search.)
Enter Audio playback in the search box, tap or click Find and fix audio playback problems, and follow the instructions. You might be asked for an admin password or to confirm your choice.
To get the most up-to-date troubleshooters, your PC should be connected to the Internet.
Here are some things to try:
Make sure your PC has a sound card or sound processor.
You must be signed in as an administrator to follow these steps.
Enter Device Manager in the search box, and tap or click Device Manager. You might be asked for an admin password or to confirm your choice.
Double-tap or double-click Sound, video and game controllers to expand it. If a sound card or sound processor is listed, you have one installed. If no sound card or sound processor is listed, check the info that came with your PC to see if there's supposed to be one installed.
Tablets and laptops don't usually have sound cards. Instead, they have integrated sound processors.
If you think you have a sound card or processor installed but you don't see it under Sound, video and game controllers, expand Other devices, and check the devices listed there.
Make sure your sound card or sound processor is running properly. If there's a yellow question mark on its name in Device Manager, there might be a problem.
Double-tap or double-click Sound, video and game controllers to expand it.
If the Sound, video and game controllers section isn't in the list, your PC doesn't have a sound card or sound processor.
Double-tap or double-click the name of the sound card.
Tap or click the General tab, and then look in the Device status box to identify problems with the sound card.
If you have speakers, make sure they're plugged into a working power source and turned on.
Make sure that your speaker volume or headphone volume isn't muted or turned down too low. This is particularly important for tablets and laptops, which often have small speakers that can be hard to hear.
Enter Adjust system volume in the search box, and tap or click Adjust system volume. You might be asked for an admin password or to confirm your choice.
Under Device, move the slider up to increase the volume.
Some PCs have an external volume control on the outside of the case. Check that it's not turned all the way down.
Make sure your headphones are unplugged from the line-out (headphone) jack of your sound card or PC (unless you want to be listening with headphones rather than speakers). When you plug in headphones, most PCs automatically cut the sound to the speakers.
Make sure your playback device is set as your default audio device.
Enter Change sound card settings in the search box, and tap or click Change sound card settings.
Press and hold or right-click in the list of playback devices, and make sure that both Show Disconnected Devices and Show Disabled Devices are selected.
Press and hold or right-click the device you want, and then tap or click Set Default.
If these steps don't fix the problem, check the info that came with your PC or speakers, or go to the manufacturer's website.
Damage to speakers or the speaker wires can cause crackling. Try connecting another set of speakers to see if the problem continues. This can help determine if the problem is with your speakers or your PC.
If this doesn't fix the problem, check the info that came with your PC or speakers, or go to the manufacturer's website.
For Windows to recognize your sound card or sound processor, and for it to work properly, you need a compatible driver. Here are three ways to search for and install a driver:
Use Windows Update. Windows Update can automatically download and install recommended updates.
Install software from the device manufacturer. If your device came with a disc, that disc might contain software that installs a driver for the device.
Download and install the driver yourself. Try searching for a driver on the manufacturer's website if Windows Update can't find a driver for your device and the device didn't come with software that installs a driver.
You can install a driver using Device Manager in Control Panel. For more info about drivers, see Download and install drivers.
Double-tap or double-click Sound, video and game controllers to expand it, and then double-tap or double-click the device name.
If the Sound, video and game controllers section isn't in the list, your PC doesn't have a sound card.
Tap or click the Driver tab, tap or click Update Driver, and then follow the instructions.
If you don't hear any sounds coming from an audio device that you've plugged in, make sure your PC isn't muted.
If the suggestions here don't solve your problem, check out the Hardware and Drivers community page in the Windows forum for solutions that other people have found for specific devices.