Windows 11 Sound Not Working After Update? Check Output, Drivers, and Audio Services

If sound stopped working after a Windows 11 update, first check the selected output device and volume settings. Then restart Windows Audio services, run the built-in troubleshooter, update or roll back the audio driver, and reinstall the driver from Device Manager. If the problem started immediately after an update, rolling back the audio driver can often help.

Related Fixes: Windows 11 No Sound Output Device, Windows 11 Headphones Not Detected, and Windows 11 Windows Update Stuck

Why Is Sound Not Working After a Windows 11 Update?

Windows updates can sometimes change audio settings or cause problems with existing sound drivers. In some cases, Windows switches to another output device, disables the speakers, or installs a driver that does not work correctly with your hardware.

Here are some common reasons why your sound may stop working:

• The wrong output device is selected.
• Your speakers or headphones are muted.
• The audio driver is outdated or incompatible.
• Windows Audio services are not running correctly.
• An update changed your audio driver.
• The audio device is disabled in Device Manager.
• Audio enhancements are causing conflicts.
• Your speakers or headphones have a hardware problem.

Before trying complicated fixes, check the simple things first. Make sure your volume is turned up and your headphones or external speakers are properly connected.

How to Fix Windows 11 Sound Not Working After Update

1. Check the Selected Sound Output

Windows 11 may have changed your default sound device after an update.

Click the speaker icon on the taskbar and select the arrow next to the volume control. You should see the available audio devices.

Choose your laptop speakers, headphones, monitor, or another device you actually want to use.

You can also go to:

Settings → System → Sound

Under Output, select the correct device and test the sound.

2. Check Volume and Mute Settings

This sounds obvious, but it is worth checking before changing drivers.

Make sure:

• Windows volume is not muted.
• Your keyboard’s mute key is not enabled.
• Your external speakers are turned on.
• Your monitor volume is turned up if you are using HDMI or DisplayPort.
• Your headphones are connected properly.

If you see the volume icon with an X, Windows may not be detecting an audio output device correctly.

3. Restart Windows Audio Services

The Windows Audio service handles sound playback. If it stopped working after the update, restarting it may bring your audio back.

Press Windows + R, type:

services.msc

and press Enter.

Find Windows Audio in the list. Right-click it and select Restart.

Also check Windows Audio Endpoint Builder and restart it if necessary.

After that, play a video or audio file and check whether the sound has returned.

4. Run the Windows Audio Troubleshooter

Windows 11 includes troubleshooting tools that can automatically look for common audio problems.

Go to:

Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters

Find the audio-related troubleshooter and run it.

Follow the instructions on screen. Windows may detect a disabled device, incorrect settings, or another configuration problem and suggest a fix.

5. Update the Audio Driver

A Windows update can sometimes leave you with an older or incompatible audio driver.

To check for a driver update:

1. Right-click the Start button.
2. Open Device Manager.
3. Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
4. Right-click your audio device.
5. Select Update driver.
6. Choose Search automatically for drivers.

Restart your computer after installing a new driver.

For laptops and desktops, you can also check the manufacturer’s support page for the latest audio driver for your exact model.

6. Roll Back the Audio Driver

If your sound was working normally before the Windows update and stopped immediately afterward, rolling back the driver is worth trying.

Open Device Manager and expand Sound, video and game controllers.

Right-click your audio device and select Properties. Open the Driver tab and look for Roll Back Driver.

If the option is available, follow the instructions and restart your PC.

This can be particularly useful when a new driver introduced by Windows Update is causing the problem.

7. Reinstall the Audio Driver

If updating or rolling back the driver doesn’t help, reinstalling it may fix corrupted driver files.

Open Device Manager and find your audio device.

Right-click it and select:

Uninstall device

Follow the instructions and restart your computer.

Windows may automatically reinstall the audio driver after restarting. If it doesn’t, download the correct driver from your PC or motherboard manufacturer’s official support website.

Be careful to download the driver for your exact model.

8. Disable Audio Enhancements

Audio enhancements can sometimes cause playback problems after a Windows update.

Go to:

Settings → System → Sound

Select your output device and look for Audio enhancements.

If enhancements are enabled, turn them off temporarily and test the sound again.

You can also check the device’s advanced audio settings if available. If the problem disappears after disabling enhancements, you can leave them off or enable them again one at a time to find the setting causing the issue.

9. Check for Another Windows Update

Sometimes Microsoft releases a follow-up update that fixes problems introduced by an earlier update.

Go to:

Settings → Windows Update

Click Check for updates.

If a new update is available, install it and restart your computer.

If your computer started having sound problems immediately after a particular update, also check Microsoft’s Windows release information for known issues affecting your version of Windows 11.

What If Sound Is Still Not Working?

If none of the fixes above worked, the problem may be deeper than a simple Windows setting.

First, connect a different pair of headphones or speakers. If the new device works, your original speakers or headphones may be the problem.

If no audio device works, open Device Manager and check whether your audio device appears with a warning symbol.

You should also check your computer manufacturer’s support website for an audio driver specifically designed for your model.

If the problem began directly after a Windows update and other troubleshooting methods haven’t helped, you can consider using System Restore if a suitable restore point exists. You can also investigate Windows recovery options, but back up important files before making major system changes.

If you are using a desktop PC, don’t forget to check the physical connections. A loose speaker cable or incorrectly connected audio jack can look like a Windows software problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my sound stop working after a Windows 11 update?

An update can change audio settings, replace a driver, or create compatibility problems with an existing driver. Windows may also switch to a different output device, such as a monitor or Bluetooth device.

How do I get my sound back after a Windows update?

Start by checking the selected output device and volume. Then restart Windows Audio services, run the audio troubleshooter, and update or roll back your audio driver.

Should I roll back my audio driver?

If the sound worked before the Windows update and stopped immediately afterward, rolling back the audio driver can be a useful troubleshooting step. The option is available only when Windows has a previous driver available.

Why does Windows 11 say there is no audio output device?

This usually means Windows isn’t detecting your speakers, headphones, or audio hardware correctly. Check Device Manager, restart your PC, and reinstall or update the audio driver.

Can Windows Update cause audio driver problems?

Yes. An update can install or modify drivers and settings, and sometimes the resulting driver may not work correctly with particular hardware.

Why is my laptop sound not working but headphones work?

If headphones work while the built-in speakers don’t, the issue may involve the laptop’s speaker device, its driver, or the selected output settings. Check your sound output device and reinstall the manufacturer’s audio driver.

Do I need to reinstall Windows 11 if sound isn’t working?

Usually, no. Most Windows 11 audio problems can be addressed by checking sound settings, restarting audio services, troubleshooting the driver, or rolling back a recently changed driver. Reinstalling Windows should generally be considered only after other troubleshooting options have failed.