I'm in a bit of a bind here. Since this morning, my PC has been totally silent even though I'm running Windows 11. I've faced similar issues before, usually after an Nvidia update when the sound defaults to one of my monitors. Normally, I'd just switch the output to my speakers in the settings, but that isn't working this time.
Here's what I've tried so far:
- Checked the BIOS to ensure audio is enabled
- Uninstalled and reinstalled my audio drivers (both Realtek and Nvidia High Definition Audio)
- Disabled and re-enabled Realtek from device manager
- Confirmed that my speakers are set as the output device in the sound settings
The speakers are connected properly, and I tested all ports to be sure they're plugged into the right one. I even connected my headset to my phone, and they work fine.
I also made sure no tabs were muted, tried playing Spotify, and went through the troubleshooter, which was not helpful at all.
One thing that might be relevant is that yesterday I cleaned out my PC and replaced the thermal paste, and this morning I ran Memtest86 for a few hours.
I'm open to any suggestions. I'm really hoping to avoid reinstalling Windows unless absolutely necessary!
2 Answers
I had a similar issue once. Have you tried using a different audio output, like HDMI to your monitor or using a USB sound adapter? If that works, it might be a problem with your audio jack or the sound card itself.
It sounds like you’ve already done a solid amount of troubleshooting! Just double-check that your speakers are plugged into a power socket and that they’re turned on. Sometimes, it’s the little things, like an on/off button getting bumped! Also, check the volume mixer in Windows to see if your speakers are recognized there. If the volume bar is bouncing but you can’t hear anything, it might be a driver issue again or a setting that’s gone awry.
I think it could also be worth checking out the sound settings in Windows. Sometimes, the 'Spatial Sound' options can mess things up. Make sure it’s turned off if enabled.