Windows Audio Troubleshooting

No Output Devices Found in Windows 10 and Windows 11

A practical step-by-step guide to restoring missing speakers, headphones, HDMI audio, Bluetooth audio, and internal sound devices when Windows cannot detect any audio output.

Windows 10 Windows 11 Speakers & Headphones HDMI & Bluetooth Audio Realtek / Intel / AMD Audio
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Contents
Use this checklist in order. Start with simple detection fixes before reinstalling drivers.
  1. What the error means
  2. Quick checks before changing drivers
  3. Select the correct output device
  4. Enable disabled and hidden audio devices
  5. Run the Windows audio troubleshooter
  6. Restart Windows audio services
  7. Fix missing audio devices in Device Manager
  8. Reinstall or roll back the audio driver
  9. Fix HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C, and Bluetooth output
  10. Repair Windows system files
  11. Check BIOS/UEFI and hardware problems
  12. FAQ
Problem Overview

What “No Output Devices Found” Means in Windows

The message No output devices found means Windows currently has no usable playback device available. In practice, the missing device may be internal speakers, wired headphones, a Realtek sound card, HDMI audio from a graphics card, USB-C audio, a USB headset, or Bluetooth headphones.

The related warning No audio output device is installed usually points to the same group of causes: a disabled device, a stopped audio service, a broken driver, a failed Windows update, or a hardware/BIOS setting that prevents Windows from seeing the audio controller.

🔊 Most common cause Wrong or missing audio driver
🧰 First fix Check output device selection
🪟 Applies to Windows 10 and Windows 11
ℹ️
Important Do not start by downloading random driver packs. Audio drivers should come from Windows Update, your laptop or motherboard manufacturer, or the official Realtek, Intel, AMD, NVIDIA, or device vendor source.
Step 1

Quick Checks Before You Reinstall Audio Drivers

These basic checks often restore the output device without touching drivers. They are especially useful after connecting a monitor, TV, docking station, USB headset, or Bluetooth headphones.

  1. Restart the computer once. A restart reloads the audio stack, services, and device drivers.
  2. Disconnect USB headsets, docking stations, HDMI cables, USB-C adapters, and Bluetooth headphones. Then reconnect only the device you want to use.
  3. Check physical mute buttons on the laptop, keyboard, monitor, headset, or external speakers.
  4. Try another port. For example, move a USB headset from a front USB port to a rear motherboard USB port.
  5. For desktop speakers, confirm that the 3.5 mm plug is connected to the green audio output jack, not the microphone input.
  6. Install pending Windows updates, then restart again.

Likely software issue

  • The device disappeared after a Windows update.
  • Only one audio output is missing, but USB or HDMI audio still works.
  • Device Manager shows a warning icon on an audio device.

Possible hardware issue

  • No audio device is detected even in BIOS/UEFI or a live USB system.
  • The headphone jack is physically damaged or loose.
  • The same headset or speakers do not work on another computer.
Step 2

Select the Correct Audio Output Device in Windows 10 and Windows 11

Windows can switch output automatically when you connect a monitor, TV, docking station, Bluetooth headset, or USB audio adapter. The speakers may not be broken; Windows may simply be trying to send sound to a different device.

Windows 11

Settings → System → Sound → Output
  1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
  2. Open System → Sound.
  3. Under Output, select your speakers, headphones, HDMI monitor, or USB headset.
  4. Click the selected device and make sure Audio is allowed and the volume is not set to 0.

Windows 10

Settings → System → Sound → Choose your output device
  1. Right-click the speaker icon on the taskbar.
  2. Choose Open Sound settings.
  3. Select the correct device under Choose your output device.
  4. If the list is empty, continue with the next sections.
✅
Fast command You can open the Sound settings page directly from the Run dialog. 
Runms-settings:sound
Step 3

Enable Disabled and Hidden Playback Devices

A playback device can be disabled in the classic Sound control panel. When that happens, the modern Settings app may show No output devices found even though the hardware is still present.

  1. Press Win + R.
  2. Run the classic Sound control panel command:
Runmmsys.cpl
  1. Open the Playback tab.
  2. Right-click an empty area in the device list.
  3. Enable Show Disabled Devices and Show Disconnected Devices.
  4. If your speakers or headphones appear, right-click them and choose Enable.
  5. Click Set Default, then test sound again.
⚠️
Note Do not disable devices randomly in this window. If you disable all playback devices, Windows may show no available output until you enable one again.
Step 4

Run the Windows Audio Troubleshooter

The built-in troubleshooter can restart audio services, correct default device settings, detect driver failures, and point to the exact device that is not working.

Windows version Where to open it What to run
Windows 11 Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters Audio or Playing Audio
Windows 10 Settings → Update & Security → Troubleshoot → Additional troubleshooters Playing Audio

Apply any recommended fixes and restart the computer when prompted. If the troubleshooter says the audio service is not running, go directly to the next section.

Step 5

Restart Windows Audio Services

Windows audio output depends on several services. If Windows Audio or Windows Audio Endpoint Builder is stopped, output devices may disappear from Settings and the taskbar sound menu.

Restart services from the Services console

  1. Press Win + R.
  2. Run services.msc.
  3. Find Windows Audio.
  4. Set Startup type to Automatic.
  5. Click Restart. If the service is stopped, click Start.
  6. Repeat the same check for Windows Audio Endpoint Builder.

Restart services with commands

Open Windows Terminal, PowerShell, or Command Prompt as administrator and run: 

Command Prompt / Windows Terminal (Admin)net stop audiosrv
net stop AudioEndpointBuilder
net start AudioEndpointBuilder
net start audiosrv
ℹ️
If a command fails If Windows says the service cannot be stopped because other services depend on it, restart the PC instead. A full restart safely reloads the audio service chain.
Step 6

Fix Missing Audio Devices in Device Manager

Device Manager is the main place to check whether Windows detects your audio controller at all. If the sound card is missing here, the Settings app cannot offer it as an output device.

  1. Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
  2. Expand Audio inputs and outputs.
  3. Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
  4. Open View → Show hidden devices.
  5. If your audio device is disabled, right-click it and choose Enable device.
  6. If a device has a yellow warning icon, open its properties and check the error code.
Rundevmgmt.msc
What you see Likely cause Best next action
Realtek Audio is missing Driver removed, disabled audio controller, or wrong chipset driver Install the audio driver from the laptop or motherboard support page
High Definition Audio Device appears Windows generic driver is installed instead of the vendor driver Try vendor driver first; keep the generic driver only if it works correctly
Intel Smart Sound Technology warning Intel SST or chipset driver problem Install chipset, Intel SST, and audio drivers from the OEM support page
NVIDIA High Definition Audio or AMD High Definition Audio missing Graphics driver installed without HDMI/DisplayPort audio component Reinstall the graphics driver and include the audio component
Step 7

Reinstall, Update, or Roll Back the Audio Driver

Driver corruption is one of the most common reasons for No output devices found. Use this section carefully: remove the broken driver only when Windows still detects an audio controller or when you already have the correct installer available.

Recommended

Install the OEM driver

Use the support page for your laptop, desktop, or motherboard model. This is best for Realtek, Intel SST, and laptop-specific audio packages.

Best compatibility
Safe fallback

Use Windows Update

Open optional driver updates if the manufacturer package is not available or the device is a generic USB audio adapter.

Easy
Undo update

Roll back the driver

Use this if sound disappeared immediately after a driver update and the older driver worked correctly.

After bad update

Uninstall and detect the audio device again

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
  3. Right-click your audio device and choose Uninstall device.
  4. If you see Attempt to remove the driver for this device, use it only when you have the correct replacement driver or Windows Update is available.
  5. Restart the PC.
  6. Install the manufacturer driver if Windows does not restore the device automatically.

Check optional driver updates

Settings → Windows Update → Advanced options → Optional updates

Look for audio, chipset, Intel SST, Realtek, AMD, NVIDIA, or device-specific driver updates. Install one driver category at a time and restart after each audio-related update.

⛔
Avoid driver packs Third-party driver packs can install a mismatched audio driver and make the problem worse. For laptops, the safest source is usually the exact model page from the manufacturer.
Step 8

Fix HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C, and Bluetooth Output Devices

If the missing output device is not the built-in speakers, troubleshoot by connection type. HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C docks, and Bluetooth headphones depend on different drivers and detection paths.

Device type What to check Recommended fix
HDMI / DisplayPort monitor or TV The monitor must support audio, be powered on, and be selected as output. Reinstall the NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel graphics driver and include HDMI audio.
USB-C dock Dock firmware, USB controller driver, and the correct USB-C port. Update dock firmware and chipset/USB drivers from the laptop vendor.
USB headset or DAC Different USB port, different cable, and device detection in Device Manager. Remove the USB audio device in Device Manager, reconnect it, then set it as default output.
Bluetooth headphones Pairing status, battery level, Bluetooth service, and whether the device is connected as audio. Remove the Bluetooth device, restart Windows, pair it again, and select it under Output.

Bluetooth-specific reset

  1. Open Settings → Bluetooth & devices.
  2. Remove the headphones or speaker.
  3. Turn Bluetooth off and on again.
  4. Put the device into pairing mode.
  5. Pair it again and select it in Sound → Output.
🎧
Bluetooth tip Some headsets appear twice: one profile for calls and one for high-quality audio. For music and video, choose the stereo output profile when it is available.
Step 9

Repair Windows System Files That Affect Audio Detection

If output devices disappeared after a failed update, power loss, cleanup tool, or malware removal, Windows audio components or driver store files may be damaged. Use DISM and SFC to repair the component store and system files.

  1. Right-click Start.
  2. Open Terminal (Admin), Windows PowerShell (Admin), or Command Prompt (Admin).
  3. Run the commands below in order.
  4. Restart Windows after the scan completes.
Windows Terminal / Command Prompt (Admin)DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannow

After rebooting, check Device Manager again. If the audio device returns but has a warning icon, reinstall the vendor driver.

Step 10

Check BIOS/UEFI Settings and Hardware If Windows Still Finds No Output Device

If Windows cannot detect the internal audio controller at all, check whether onboard audio is disabled in firmware. This is more common on desktop motherboards, but it can also happen after BIOS resets or firmware updates.

  1. Restart the computer and enter BIOS/UEFI setup. Common keys are Del, F2, F10, or Esc.
  2. Look for settings such as Onboard Audio, HD Audio Controller, or Azalia HD Audio.
  3. Make sure the audio controller is enabled.
  4. Save changes and boot into Windows.
  5. Install chipset and audio drivers from the device manufacturer.
⚠️
Hardware warning If built-in audio is missing in Windows after a clean installation and after BIOS/UEFI checks, the audio chip, motherboard, jack, USB controller, dock, or external device may be faulty.

When to use a temporary workaround

If you need sound immediately, use a USB headset, USB sound card, HDMI monitor audio, Bluetooth speaker, or external USB DAC. These devices use a separate audio path and can work even when the internal sound card is unavailable.

Common Questions

FAQ: No Output Devices Found in Windows 10 and Windows 11

Q Why does Windows say “No output devices found” after an update? ▼
A Windows update can replace an audio driver, reset the default output device, disable a device, or expose a driver conflict that was already present. Start by selecting the correct output device, then check Device Manager and reinstall the manufacturer audio driver if needed.
Q Should I use Realtek drivers from Realtek or from my laptop manufacturer? ▼
For laptops and branded desktops, use the manufacturer support page first. Many systems use customized Realtek packages that include the correct audio console, jack detection, microphone processing, and Intel Smart Sound Technology components.
Q Why are HDMI audio devices missing? ▼
HDMI and DisplayPort audio are usually provided by the graphics driver, not the Realtek driver. Reinstall the NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel graphics driver and make sure the HDMI audio component is included. Also confirm that the monitor or TV supports audio and is selected as the output device.
Q Can malware cause output devices to disappear? ▼
It is not the most common cause, but malware or aggressive cleanup tools can damage services, drivers, or system files. After malware removal, run DISM and SFC, check Windows Audio services, and reinstall the correct audio driver.
Q Is a clean Windows reinstall necessary? ▼
Usually no. Most cases are fixed by selecting the correct output device, enabling disabled playback devices, restarting audio services, or reinstalling the audio driver. Consider a reset or clean installation only after driver, service, system file, BIOS/UEFI, and hardware checks fail.

🔊 Bottom Line

The fastest way to fix No output devices found is to move from simple detection checks to driver repair in a controlled order. First verify the selected output device, then enable hidden playback devices, restart Windows Audio services, and inspect Device Manager. If the device is still missing, reinstall the manufacturer audio, chipset, graphics, or Bluetooth driver depending on the output type. Only after those checks should you suspect BIOS/UEFI settings or hardware failure.