Learn how to fix the “No Audio Output Devices Found” error in Windows with these simple troubleshooting tips. Get your audio back up and running in no time!Windows users often encounter the error “No audio output devices found.” This happens when the OS cannot find the audio device. We tell you how to solve this problem in Windows 10 and 11.
Use the troubleshooter
A quick and easy way. You need to do the following:
- Click on “Start”;
- In the search bar above, type “Troubleshooting”;
- Then select “Troubleshoot audio playback problems”;
- Then “Next”.
Afterwards, the system will check why the sound is not working and suggest how to fix it. You will probably have to update the drivers.
Restart your sound card
Another way is to disable and then enable your PC’s sound adapter. To do this:
- Click on Window and X at the same time;
- Select “Device Manager”;
- Click on “Sound, video and game controllers”;
- Then right-click on the sound card, go to the “Driver” section and click “Disable device”;
- Wait a couple of seconds, right-click on the map again and this time select “Enable Device”.
Reinstall the driver
The error “No audio output device” may be related to problems with the driver. It may have started acting up for one reason or another. There is no reason to understand the intricacies of the software. You just need to reinstall it.
To do this you should:
- Click on Window and X at the same time;
- Select “Device Manager”;
- Click on “Sound, video and game controllers”;
- Right-click on the device responsible for sound;
- Go to the “Driver” section;
- Click “Update Driver”.
You can also try selecting “Roll Back”, but updating the driver is a more effective option.
Make sure Windows Audio services are running
For correct sound playback on a PC/laptop with Windows, Windows Audio services must be enabled. You can check if everything is OK with them like this:
- Press the Windows and R keys at the same time;
- In the opened construction, enter services.msc and click OK;
- Find the Windows Audio service in the list and make sure it is enabled.
Roll back Windows to the previous version
If the above methods did not help, it is possible that the failure is at the system level. And the easiest way to solve it is to roll back to an earlier version of Windows. To do this:
- Go to “Options”;
- Select “Windows Update”;
- Next, “Additional options”;
- Then “Recovery”;
- And finally, “Back” (does not work on all PCs).
Reinstall Windows
If this does not help, then reinstall the system, saving all your main data. To do this:
- Go to “Options”;
- Select “Windows Update”;
- Next, “Additional options”;
- Then “Recovery”;
- Next to “Troubleshoot problems with Windows Update,” click “Reinstall now”;
- In the next window, click OK.
Wait. You may have to wait a long time.
Take the sound card to a service center for diagnostics
This is the last radical option that should be used if all the above did not work. Probably, for one reason or another, the sound card is simply broken and requires mechanical repair.