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How to Fix "No Sound in Windows 7" – Audio Not Working Issue (Step-by-Step)

 

Fix: No Sound in Windows 7 – Audio Not Working? Here's the Complete Solution

Many Windows 7 users face this common issue — the system boots normally, but no sound comes from speakers or headphones.

This guide will help you troubleshoot and fix Windows 7 sound problems using a detailed and tested step-by-step method.

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Common Symptoms:

• No sound from speakers or headphones

• Red X on sound icon

• “No Audio Output Device is installed”

• Sound works in BIOS or Safe Mode, but not in Windows

• Audio device is missing from the device manager

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Complete Troubleshooting Guide

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Step 1: Check the Basics

1. Make sure speakers/headphones are connected properly.

2. Check volume is turned up (on system and hardware).

3. Look at the taskbar sound icon – is it muted?

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Step 2: Set Default Playback Device

1. Right-click the volume icon → Select Playback Devices.

2. Look for your speakers or headphones in the list.

3. Click on your device → Click Set Default → then OK.

If nothing appears in the list, right-click in the window and check “Show Disabled Devices” and “Show Disconnected Devices”.

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Step 3: Restart Windows Audio Services

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, press Enter.

2. Find these services:

   • Windows Audio

   • Windows Audio Endpoint Builder

3. Right-click → Restart both services.

Also, make sure both are set to Automatic:

• Right-click → Properties → Startup type: Automatic

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Step 4: Check Device Manager for Audio Drivers

1. Press Windows + R, type devmgmt.msc, press Enter.

2. Expand Sound, video and game controllers.

3. Look for:

   • Realtek High Definition Audio

   • Or your system’s sound driver

If you see a yellow exclamation or red X:

• Right-click → Uninstall

• Restart your PC

• Windows should reinstall the driver automatically

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Step 5: Update Audio Driver

Still not working?

1. Right-click your audio device in Device Manager.

2. Click Update driver software.

3. Choose:

   • Search automatically (for quick fix), or

   • Download latest driver from manufacturer's website (e.g. Realtek, Dell, HP, Lenovo).

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Step 6: Roll Back Driver (If issue started recently)

1. Open Device Manager.

2. Right-click your audio driver → Properties.

3. Go to the Driver tab.

4. Click Roll Back Driver if available.

This reverts to the previously working version.

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Step 7: Run Audio Troubleshooter

1. Go to Control Panel > Troubleshooting > Hardware and Sound.

2. Click Troubleshoot audio playback.

3. Follow on-screen steps.

Let Windows detect and fix issues automatically.

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Step 8: Enable Sound in BIOS (Advanced)

Sometimes sound is disabled in BIOS/UEFI.

1. Restart PC and enter BIOS (usually Del, F2, or F10).

2. Navigate to Advanced > Integrated Peripherals or similar.

3. Make sure HD Audio or Onboard Audio is Enabled.

4. Save and Exit BIOS.

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Step 9: Install Microsoft UAA Bus Driver (If Required)

If using an old chipset, install the Microsoft UAA Bus Driver for High Definition Audio, especially for Realtek devices. This can be found on your PC manufacturer’s support page.

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🔊 Step 10: Check HDMI Audio Settings

If you're using HDMI output (like a TV):

1. Go to Playback Devices.

2. Set HDMI Audio (e.g., NVIDIA or Intel Display Audio) as default.

OR

If you want to use speakers instead of HDMI:

• Right-click HDMI output → Disable

• Set Speakers as default

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 Final Test

Once all the steps are done:

• Play a test sound from Control Panel > Sound > Playback > Select Device > Configure > Test.

• Or try YouTube or Windows Media Player.