Computer has no sound? Check these settings in order
No sound is usually not a speaker failure. Windows may simply be sending audio to the wrong place, muting one app, or holding onto a Bluetooth device.
A computer with no sound can look like a hardware problem, but most cases are settings-related. Windows has system volume, app volume, browser audio, output devices, Bluetooth devices, and driver controls. The key is checking them in the right order instead of randomly changing everything.
Check the selected output device
Click the speaker icon and check where sound is being sent. Windows may be using a monitor, HDMI device, headset, Bluetooth speaker, or virtual audio device instead of your laptop speakers. Choose the correct output and play a test sound.
Open the volume mixer
Right-click the speaker icon and open Volume mixer. Make sure the system volume is up and the specific app is not muted. It is possible for YouTube or a browser to be muted while everything else looks normal.
Disconnect Bluetooth devices
If headphones, earbuds, or a Bluetooth speaker connected automatically, your computer may still be sending sound there. Turn Bluetooth off temporarily or disconnect the device. Then test the built-in speakers again.
Check browser tab mute
If sound is missing only on a website, right-click the browser tab and look for an unmute option. Also check the video player itself. A muted tab is easy to miss because the rest of the computer can sound fine.
Run the audio troubleshooter
Go to Settings, System, Sound, and find troubleshooting options. The Windows audio troubleshooter can restart audio services and detect output problems. It is not perfect, but it is safe and quick.
Restart the audio driver
Open Device Manager, expand Sound, video and game controllers, right-click your audio device, and choose Disable device, then Enable device. You can also restart the computer. If the problem started after an update, check for a driver update from your laptop manufacturer.
One extra check I would make
Nine times out of ten, no sound is just the wrong output device. Check that before touching drivers.
Quick answers
Why does my computer have no sound?
Common causes include the wrong output device, muted app volume, Bluetooth audio, browser tab mute, or an audio driver issue.
Why is sound only missing in one app?
That app may be muted in Volume mixer, the browser tab may be muted, or the app may have its own audio setting.
Can HDMI stop laptop speakers from working?
Yes. Windows may send sound to a monitor or TV over HDMI instead of the laptop speakers.