No Sound from Speakers (Windows 8)

This document applies to HP and Compaq notebook computers with Windows 8.

The steps in this document describe how to troubleshoot and fix the problem when there is no sound coming from the speakers.

Step 1: Use the Troubleshooting tool in Windows 8

The Troubleshooting tool in Windows 8 can automatically fix common problems with your computer, such as audio recording. Although it may not fix every problem, it is useful to run the Troubleshooting tool first before you manually correct problems.

To open the Troubleshooting tool:

1. Move the mouse pointer to the lower left corner of the screen, right-click, and select Control Panel from the menu.
   Figure 1: Control Panel

   
2. Under System and Security click Find and fix problems .
   Figure 2: Find and fix problems

   
3. Click Hardware and Sound .
   Figure 3: Troubleshooting screen

   

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Troubleshoot audio recording and audio playback

Step 2: Set default speakers and test

Return the system speakers to the default mode:

1. Press the Windows  + W key.
   Type Sound into the Search field for Settings.
   Figure 8: Search the Settings options

   
2. Click Sound from the list on the left.
   Figure 9: Sound in the Settings screen

   
3. In the Sound window, select your Playback Device and click the Set Default button. If only one Playback Device is listed, it is set to default automatically.
   Figure 10: Set the default device (your list of speakers might be different)

   
4. With the default Playback Device selected, click the Configure button.
5. Click your speaker setup in Audio channels .
6. Click the Test button to send sound to each speaker, or click an individual speaker to send sound to it.
   Figure 11: Test Speakers
   
7. If sound is heard correctly from each speaker, you are finished.
   If sound is missing from all or one of the speakers, or if the configuration type was changed, continue with speaker setup by clicking Next . Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the speaker setup.
   Play a sound. If sound problems continue, go to the next section.

Step 3: Update the audio driver

An updated audio driver might resolve the problem if the computer is experiencing sound problems after upgrading the operating system to Windows 8, or the computer is experiencing sound problems in a particular software program.

Click the following heading or the accompanying plus (+) sign to expand the information.

Update the audio driver from the HP Web site

Update the audio driver using Device Manager

Step 4: Check Device Manager

If you cannot hear sound, check Device Manager to determine the state of the sound hardware.

1. Move the mouse pointer to the lower left corner of the screen, right-click and select Device Manager from the menu.
   Figure 16: Device Manager

   
2. Double-click Sound, video and game controllers .
3. Do the following, depending on what displays:
   
   
   If a sound device is listed with a down arrow , the device is disabled. Right-click the sound device name and select Enable to re-enable the device.
   Figure 17: Enabling a disabled sound device
   
   
   
   If a sound device is listed, right-click the device name and select Properties to view more helpful troubleshooting information in the Device Status window. If Device Status shows that the device is working correctly, the problem is probably related to sound settings, the speakers, or the cables.