Why Is There No Sound on My Windows 8.1 Laptop?

AI Thread Summary
A user is experiencing sound issues on a Windows 8.1 laptop, despite confirming that all audio drivers are up-to-date and sound devices appear to be functioning correctly. Initially, sound was working but has since stopped, with the user noting low volume levels even when set to maximum. Suggestions include checking the speaker icon for any mute settings, verifying headphone connections, and ensuring compatibility with the laptop's TRRS connector. The user has also explored diagnostic tools like Sysinternals' Process Explorer, which indicated no CPU usage from the audio thread. If the problem persists, a system restore to a previous date is recommended, and contacting a technician under warranty may be necessary if hardware issues are suspected.
WWGD
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Hi All,
I am having a problem: no sound coming out of my Windows 8.1 laptop. I updated all the drivers from the
audio inputs ; I got the message that the existing drivers were up-to-date, but still no sound coming out and that all sound-related devices are working correctly.

Thanks for any advice.
 
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Did you run the test function in Speaker Properties >> Advanced?
 
Yes, and it made a sound. Strange thing is yesterday night there was no problem with the sound at all.
 
I have a desktop with 8.1, so this might not apply to you...

If you click the speaker icon, do you get something that looks kind of like this?

Sprakers.JPG

Or, in the Device Manager, something like this without any yellow flags... after you've scanned for hardware changes?
Device Manager.JPG

If everything kinda looks like the pictures... I don't know what might be the problem... :oldfrown:




 
Thanks both, now there is some sound but kind of low in volume even when the level is max. But I was warned Windows is Plug and Pray. Interesting that a video in you Tube about working with RealTek ... has no subtitles, and the instructions are partly spoken.
 
Yes it is a new laptop, but I don't know enough about computers to tell about the hardware.
 
If you exhaust all diagnostics call a technician under your warranty plan.
 
  • #10
Follow-up: Sound was working perfectly a few days back, and back to no sound now. Checked Sysinternal's Process Explorer (an actually worthwhile version of the task manager) and
noticed that the associated thread was making no use of the CPU, i.e., th CPU use graph is completely flat. Can I somehow use
autorun to get a better understanding?

I also checked the drivers for realtek and there was one , 'GENERICDRV' listed as "not found".
 
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  • #11
WWGD said:
Follow-up: Sound was working perfectly a few days back, and back to no sound now.

#1 check you haven't pressed a mute button by accident.

#2 if you're using headphones try another pair just in case it's an intermittent connection fault

NB: new computers have a TRRS connector , you'll need an adapter [~$5] to use headphones which have standard TRS connector on such computers.

[ If all else fails do a "system restore" to a date before the problem occurred ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_restore ]
 
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