HOW TO FIX YOUR COMPUTER’S SOUND EQUIPMENT (for Windows users)

If you suddenly find yourself in a rut in finding out that your computer’s sound is gone, here are some basic audio troubleshooting tips for you to follow before running for help from your IT solutions provider or your computer sales provider. It may only be either a problem with your sound controller or your sound card.

First and foremost, make sure that your audio output device, such as speakers or headsets, is on and connected to your computer. Universally, it is that green jack at the back of your CPU. There should be an audio driver installed for these sound devices to work, otherwise, the computer should detect them and inform you if you have no audio driver.

Check your volume controls because you might have overlooked that your volume has been muted. To check this, go to your volume control settings (Start > All Programs > Acessories > Entertainment > Volume Control) or by clicking that speaker icon which can be found at your system tray, the lower right portion of your monitor. The mute box must be unchecked. Try adjusting the volume settings too to calibrate your audio device.

If there is still no audio, try doing the System Restore (Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore)

If this does not solve your problem, then proceed to check the Sound/Audio Driver. There can be different processes that lead you to the Sound Driver but in Windows, it is usually found in you Device Manager or the Control Panel. The name may vary depending on the kind of Sound Driver that is installed. Try to update the latest version of your driver, usually this can be found online. Should this not work, uninstall the driver then restart your PC. This should automatically reinstall the driver, otherwise, reinstall it manually.

The last troubleshooting tip you can do on your own is by checking the sound card itself. This may be a little tricky though, as it requires you to open your CPU. Shut down your computer and unplug cables including the power. Open your CPU by unscrewing, usually from the back. The sound card is where your audio device jack is located. Slowly pull out the audio card and then put it back on. Close your CPU and test everything again.

If you have made all these tricks and still you don’t hear any sound from your PC, then you might just have to bring it to your IT solutions provider. Remember, do not do anything that you are hesitant to try or don’t fully understand.