No Sound

Step 1: Use the Microsoft Fix it Solution To automatically fix many types of sound problems in Windows Vista, click the Microsoft Fix it Solution: If the sound problems continue after using the Fix it Solution, continue with the steps in this document. Step 2: Checking volume and mute settings The volume setting for one or more sound devices might be disabled or set too low. There are several things that can change sound volume: the volume control knob for your speakers or monitor, Windows volume controls, and volume controls in sound software. If any of these volume controls are muted or set too low, the entire sound experience is affected. Use the following steps to adjust volumes to correct levels: Show me how

1. If your powered speakers have a volume control knob, set it to halfway. Figure 1: Volume control knob for speakers (your speakers might be different) If you are using speakers built into your monitor, make sure sound is enabled for the monitorand volume is set to halfway. Adjust the sound settings for your monitor by using the buttons on the monitor and/or the on-screen menu. To find more specific information about using and adjusting your monitor speaker settings, see the support documentation that came with your monitor. Figure 2: Volume and menu buttons on a monitor (your monitor might be different)
2. Click Start , and then click Control Panel.
3. Click Hardware and Sound, and then click Adjust system volume under Sound. The Volume Mixer window opens. Figure 3: Volume Mixer
4. Make sure sound volume is not muted by looking at the square mute buttons . If the button displays a small red circle, the volume is muted. If muted, click the Mute button to enable sound. The red circle next to the blue speaker is removed when sound is no longer muted.
5. When you are certain that the volume is not muted, click and drag the Device slide bar adjustment up until it is about 75% to the top of the range.
6. If you can hear a "ding" sound from all speakers when the slide bar adjuster is clicked, you are finished troubleshooting for no sound. Otherwise, continue with the next step.

Step 3: Set default speakers and test Show me how

1. If stereo headphones are connected and you are not using them as your main speakers, disconnect the headphones now. Connecting headphones to the computer mute other speakers.
2. Click Start , and type Sound into the Start Search field.
3. Click Sound from the results under the Programs list.
4. From the Sound window, select your Playback Device and click the Set Default button:
5. If you are using typical computer speakers or headphones (analog sound devices), make sure Speakers is selected. This is the most common sound setup for a desktop computer environment and includes many types of headphones, desktop speakers, 5.1 and 7.1 sound systems, and flat panel monitor speakers.
6. If you want to send all sound from the computer to digital speakers or a stereo digital device, make sure the playback device labeled with Digital Output is selected.
7. If your computer has an HDMI connection and you are trying to use speakers in a TV or monitor, make sure the playback device labeled with HDMI is selected. Figure 4: Selecting the type of Play Device as the default device (yours might be different)
8. With the default Playback Device selected, click the Configure button.
9. Click your type of speaker setup in Audio channels. Figure 5: Speaker Setup window with 5.1 Surround (five speakers and a subwoofer) selected
10. Click the Test button to send sound to each speaker, or click an individual speaker to send sound to it.
11. If sound is heard correctly from each speaker, you are finished. If sound is missing from all or one of the speakers, or if the configuration type was changed, continue with speaker setup by clicking Next. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the speaker setup. Play a sound. If sound problems persist, continue to the next section.

Step 4: Check speaker connections Use these steps to make sure you have the speaker cables connected to the corrected sound connectors. Show me how

1. From the Windows Sound window, select Speakers, and then click Properties. Figure 6: Sound window: Properties button (for Speakers)
2. The Speakers Properties window contains a list of color-coded connectors that corresponds with each pair of speakers. You can use this information to help determine which connector goes with the speaker pairs that you are using. Figure 7: Speakers Properties window This example shown in the image is for a 7.1 Surround setup, where:
3. L R (green, Line Out) is for the front left and right speaker pair (the green connector, usually labeled Line out).
4. RL RR (orange) is for the Rear-left and Rear-right speaker pair.
5. C Sub (black) is for the Center or Subwoofer speaker.
6. SL SR (gray), is for Side Left and Side Right speakers
7. Make sure each speaker cable is connected to its corresponding connector on the back of the computer. The colors shown in the Speakers Properties window match the connector color on the computer.
8. If you have external speakers that require separate cables, such as 5.1 or greater speakers, make sure each speaker cable is connected to its corresponding connector on the speaker hardware (usually on the subwoofer). The colors shown in the Speakers Properties window should match the connector colors on the speaker hardware. If not, refer to instructions that came with the speakers.
9. If any speaker cable connection changed, check sound again using the steps in Check configuration and test speaker sound . Play a sound. If sound problems continue, continue to the next section.

Step 5: If still no sound, check for sound output If sound is still not heard, check for sound output using headphones. Show me how

1. Find and unplug all audio cables from the back of the computer.
2. Plug headphones directly into the speaker out connector on the back of the computer. The speaker out connector might have a symbol of a speaker or a circle with an arrow pointing out, or it might be labeled as OUT.
3. Test for sound in Windows by double-clicking the volume icon in the taskbar and then clicking the volume control slide in the master volume section. Each time you click and release the master volume slide bar, you should hear a beep sound through the headphones. If you can hear sound through the headphones, the sound hardware on the computer is working and the issue is most likely related to the speakers or the speaker cables. Disconnect the headphones and reconnect the speakers. When done, test again for sound using the same steps as above with the volume control slides. If sound still cannot be heard after reconnecting the speakers, try replacing the speaker cable (if possible) or speaker fuse . If you cannot hear sound through the headphones, make sure that you are connecting the headphones into the correct connector, and try again. See the following graphic examples for assistance. If there is still no sound, continue to the next step when you are sure the headphones are connected to the correct audio connector on the back of the computer. Figure 8: Example of computers with 3 rear audio connectors 1 - Microphone connector 2 - Line-out connector (to front powered speakers or headphones) 3 - Line-in connector NOTE:On some computers the microphone connector on the computer can be configured as the Center/Subwoofer-out and the Line-in connector can be configured as the Rear Speaker-out by using the Sound Manager software. Figure 9: Example of computers with 6 rear audio connectors 1 - Side speaker out 2 - Rear speaker out 3 - Center and subwoofer out 4 - Microphone 5 - Line-out (to front powered speakers or headphones) 6 - Line-in

Play a sound. If sound problems continue, continue to the next section. Step 6: Restoring the audio driver Sound related files and settings that become changed can cause sound problems. Restoring the audio driver can quickly reset audio settings for the sound hardware and cause Windows to reinitialize the sound configuration. NOTE:If the computer was upgraded to Windows Vista, you might not be able to use all the features of an integrated audio device that is compliant with Audio Codec '97 (AC '97) specifications. To resolve this, update the audio driver. See Step 5: Updating the audio driver . Use the driver recovery process to restore audio drivers for original sound hardware using the following steps:

1. To open Recovery Manager and reinstall the driver, click Start , and then click All Programs.
2. Click PC Help & Tools, and then click Recovery Manager.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to recover the driver.
4. After restoring the audio driver software, restart the computer and test for sound. If there is still no sound, continue to the next step to update the audio driver. For more information, see Using Recovery Manager to Restore Software and Drivers in Windows Vista .

Play a sound. If sound problems continue, continue to the next section. Step 7: Update the audio driver from the HP Web site An updated audio driver might resolve the problem. If the computer is experiencing sound problems after upgrading the operating system to Windows Vista, or the computer is experiencing sound problems in a particular software program, an .

1. Go to the HP Software download page .
2. If you are presented with a page to enter your model number, enter your model number. For example, Pavilion p6230f.
3. Select the version of Windows the computer is using.
4. Click the Driver - Audio link.
5. If an update is available from HP, follow the instructions on the download page to download the driver and install it.
6. Test for sound after installing the software.
7. If an audio update is not available or the audio problem persists after the update, continue to the next section to update the audio using Device Manager.

Step 8: Update the audio driver using Device Manager Update the audio driver using Device Manager as follows:

1. Connect to the Internet.
2. Click Start , and type device manager into the Start Search field. Then click Device Manager in the Programs list. Device Manager opens.
3. Double-click Sound, video and game controllers. Figure 10: Sound device in Device Manager
4. Right-click the name of the audio device listed under Sound, video and game controllers.
5. Select Update Driver Software. Figure 11: Update Driver Software selection in Device Manager
6. Click Search automatically for updated driver software. Figure 12: How do you want to search for driver software
7. Windows checks for and installs any updated drivers found. The Window displays whether the computer already has the latest available driver or if Windows was able to successfully update the audio driver. Figure 13: Windows has successfully updated your driver software
8. If a window opens that asks you to restart the computer, restart the computer.
9. If you cannot find a driver from HP, download and install an updated audio driver package from the audio technology provider. Your computer probably uses Realtek Audio Codec or Creative Audigy software. Download and install audio drivers from one of the following sites:
10. Creative's support downloads: http://us.creative.com/support/downloads/ (in English)
11. Realtek's support site: http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/ (in English)
12. Test for sound. If sound problems persist or no drivers could be found and installed, continue to the next step.

Play a sound. If sound problems continue, continue to the next section. Step 9: Checking Device Manager If you cannot hear sound, check Device Manager to determine the state of the sound hardware:

1. Click Start , and type device manager into the Start Search field. The Device Manager window opens.
2. Double-click Sound, video and game controllers.
3. Do the following, depending on what displays:
4. If a sound device is not listed and the computer uses a sound card, reseat the sound card into the motherboard slot. Go to the next step if problems continue.
5. If a sound device is not listed and the computer uses on-board sound, the sound hardware might need to be enabled in the BIOS. Go to the next step to check the sound setting in the BIOS and match the setting to the hardware configuration of your computer.
6. If a sound device is listed with a down arrow, the device is disabled. Right-click the sound device name and select Enable to re-enable the device. Go to the next step if problems continue after enabling the device. Figure 14: Enabling a disabled sound device
7. If a sound device is listed, right-click the device name and select Properties to view more helpful troubleshooting information in the Device Status window. If Device Status shows that the device is working correctly, the problem is probably related to sound settings, the speakers, or the cables.

Step 10: Configuring on-board sound in the BIOS Some computers come with sound on the motherboard (on-board audio), some come with a sound card, and some come with both on-board sound (disabled) and a sound card. The on-board audio setting in the BIOS must be set to match your particular audio hardware configuration. Perform one of the following sets of steps depending on whether you want to reset the BIOS to its factory defaults or only adjust the on-board sound setting: Step 1: Reset the BIOS This step resets the On-board Audio setting to Automatic for most HP and Compaq desktop computers. If you want to keep your current BIOS configuration, or if resetting the BIOS to the default setting does not help, continue to Step 2: Change the on-board sound setting in the BIOS.

1. To enter the BIOS, turn on the computer and press the F10 key repeatedly until a BIOS Setup screen opens.
2. In the BIOS Setup screen, press the F5 key.
3. Select Yes or OK by pressing the Enter key. Press the F10 key. Select Yes or OK to save the defaults by pressing the Enter key.
4. Start the computer and check for sound. If there is still no sound, continue with these steps.

If you want to keep your current BIOS configuration or if resetting the BIOS to the defaults does not help, continue to the next step. Step 2: Change the on-board sound setting in the BIOS Use this step to make sure the On-board Audio setting in the BIOS matches the setting required by your sound hardware configuration.

1. Examine the back of the computer and use one of the following three configuration examples to help you determine your sound configuration and the required BIOS sound setting. Read all three items before making your choice.
2. Configuration A (On-board Audio): If the sound connectors for the speakers and microphones are located next to the parallel, serial, or USB ports, the computer has On-board Audio. The On-board Audio setting in the BIOS should be Enabled. Figure 15: On-board Audio configuration
3. Configuration B (Soundcard): If the sound connectors for the speakers and microphone are located away from the parallel, serial, or USB ports, the computer has a soundcard. If the BIOS has an On-board Audio setting available, the On-board Audio setting in the BIOS should be Disabled. If the BIOS does not have an On-board Audio setting, you do not need to change a BIOS setting, skip to Step 8: Removing sound drivers in Safe Mode. Figure 16: Soundcard configuration
4. Configuration C: If the computer has sound connectors in both locations, the on-board sound setting in the BIOS should be Disabled.
5. To enter the BIOS, turn on the computer and begin pressing the F10 key repeatedly until a BIOS Setup screen opens.
6. Use the Left and Right Arrow keys to select the Advanced tab.
7. Find and select the advanced menu items that correspond to audio. This might be one of the following:
8. Onboard Audio
9. Onboard Audio Options
10. I/O Device Configuration
11. On-board Sound
12. Audio
13. Audio Codec
14. Figure 17: Example of Onboard Audio menu
15. Select either Enabled or Disabled depending on the computer configuration, and press Enter. Figure 18: Onboard Audio Enabled
16. Press F10 and then press Enter to save and exit. Windows opens.
17. Check for sound.
18. If you can hear sound, you are finished.
19. If there is still no sound, shut down the computer and continue using these instructions.
20. After the computer shuts, unplug the computer power cable and press the power button for 20 seconds. This removes all of the power from the computer.
21. Plug the power cable in and turn on the computer.
22. To enter the BIOS, turn on the computer and when the first logo screen displays, press the F10key repeatedly until a BIOS Setup screen opens.
23. Press F5, select Yes, and then press F10 to save the default BIOS settings.
24. Wait for Windows to open and then play a sound. If sound problems continue, continue to the next section.

Step 11: Inspecting speaker hardware (power, speakers, and fuses) Check the speakers to see if the power cord is connected and that the speakers are receiving power. Many powered speakers, especially speaker systems with subwoofers, have fuses. If there is no sound coming from the speaker, not even a humming noise, remove and replace the fuse. Even if you do not think that the fuse has blown, it is a good idea to swap the fuse to make sure. If the fuse is still good, you have a backup fuse.

1. Turn off power to the subwoofer and unplug power to the speakers.
2. Remove the fuse cover and then the fuse, and look through the glass cylinder. If the wire inside is separated, has dark spots, or burn marks, replace the fuse. If the fuse looks good, swap the fuse anyway and keep the older fuse as a spare.
3. Buy a new fuse. It is a good idea to take the old fuse to the electronics store when purchasing the new fuse. This way, the old fuse can be used to make sure it matches the new fuse purchased at the store.
4. Install the new fuse, replace the fuse cap, apply power, turn the speakers on, and test for sound.

To prevent damage to the speakers and to prevent fuses from blowing in the future, keep the following items in mind when using the computer:

• Turn off the speaker volume control before applying power to the speakers.

• Like a high-quality home stereo system, it is not good to raise the volume more than half the range of the control knob. Doing so reduces the quality of the sound and is harder on the speakers. Poor sound quality occurs when lower sound levels are raised to a peak level. Lots of sound occurring at one peak level stresses the speakers.

Play a sound. If sound problems continue, test the sound hardware using HP hardware diagnostic software. For more information, see Testing for Hardware Problems Using Hardware Diagnostic Tools.