Fix Computer Speakers

Computers are terrific tools – until something goes wrong! Then they can quickly become sources of great frustration. Sometimes your computer speakers will go out and you’ll be left without volume. No music, no movies, no streaming TV, no VOIP calls, no interactive websites – this problem needs to be fixed. Let’s look at some quick troubleshooting techniques for a pair of external computer speakers. These tips work on Windows XP.

Start with the basics. Are the speakers plugged in? Are they powered on? Are they plugged into the computer correctly? Is sound muted on the computer? I know – it’s almost insulting to ask this, but a surprisingly high number of troubleshooting issues are solved by something this simple.

Check the speakers with a different device. If you can, plug them into a different computer or an MP3 player or other audio device. If they don’t work no matter what you plug them into, the problem is likely with the speakers. If the speakers do work in other devices, take them back to the original computer and move to the next step.

Check the sound drivers on your computer. That may be entirely new to you, but with this guide, you can do it yourself.

●     Click your Start menu (bottom left corner of your screen), and find “My Computer.” Right-click “My Computer” and choose “Properties” from the pop-up menu. Click the “Hardware” tab at the top of the properties box, then click the “Device Manager” button.

●     Click the plus sign icon to expand your “Sounds, video, and game controllers” list. Find your sound card – the name will depend on which brand controller was installed in your computer. It probably has the word “audio” in its title. If there’s a problem with the card, you’ll see an exclamation (!) notification on the sound card’s icon.

●     Double-click the sound card’s name. This will open a new window. In this new window, click the “Drivers” tab at the top. (If there is no “Drivers” tab, you might not have the correct entry for your sound card. Go back and repeat the last step.) You’ll see a “Driver Update” button on the “Drivers” tab – click that, then follow the Wizard’s instructions to update your sound card’s driver.

●     If your driver is up-to-date, click the button labeled “Uninstall Driver,” then restart your computer. When it restarts, the driver should reinstall automatically. If it doesn’t, visit the sound card manufacturer’s website to download the current driver installer.

Use Windows XP’s “Windows Troubleshooter” – it’s located on the “Drivers” tab from the steps above. Follow the instructions in the troubleshooter.

Check your warranty. If your PC is still covered by its warranty, contact your service provider and do not follow the next step. The final step may void your warranty; it is a last resort.

Check the actual sound card. Completely shut down and unplug your computer, unplugging all other cables from it, including peripherals and power cable. Open the CPU case. Touch a grounded object (doorknob, metal desk) before opening the case to discharge static electricity. Locate the audio plugs on the back of your CPU – the card they connect to on the inside is your sound card. Remove the sound card, check for dust on the card and in its slot. Put the sound card back in, making sure it’s seated firmly. You can find more detailed instruction for this step on the Microsoft website. Once the sound card is in place, close the CPU, plug all the cables back in, and boot your computer.