Update Audio Drivers for Perfect Sound

A PC with no audio definitely sucks. It’s just one of those things that need to be fixed right away because without sound, it seems that your PC is not complete.

There are various reasons as to why there is ‘no audio’ coming from your PC and here are a few of them.

• Your audio settings are accidentally set to ‘low’ or ‘mute’.
• Your computer is using the wrong audio device.
• Your missing an audio driver †.
• The installed audio driver † is outdated, damaged or corrupt.
• The installed audio driver † does not match your system. (Mismatched drivers can be something like having a Realtek audio driver when your sound card is from SoundMAX, or having a Windows XP audio driver when your operating system is Windows 7.)

† An audio driver is a piece of software that enables your audio devices (e.g., speakers, microphone, headset, etc.) to communicate with your computer.

Based on the most common ‘no sound’ causes indicated on the previous tab, here are some of the most common ‘no audio’ fixes.

• Check your audio settings (Windows XP and lower). Access the Windows Control Panel and then click Sound and Audio Devices. Under Device volume, ensure that the Mute option is clear or unchecked. Also, check that the volume icon slider is not set to Low. Ideally, this should be at the middle or closer to High on the slider.
  
• Check your audio settings (Windows Vista & 7). Click the speaker icon on the tray and click Open Volume Mixer. Ensure that none of the options presented are on Mute. Slide the arrow higher until you achieve your preferred Volume settings.
• Check that your computer is using the RIGHT audio device (Windows XP and lower). Access the Windows Control Panel and then click Sound and Audio Devices. Select the Audio tab. Under Sound playback, ensure that the correct audio device output is selected. Click Advanced under Sound playback and check that your speaker setup is configured properly for the speakers that you have. Click OK.
• Check that your computer is using the RIGHT audio device (Windows Vista/7). ). Click the speaker icon on the tray and click Sounds. Select your sound device and then click Configure. Perform the suggested audio tests.
  
• Update your audio driver to the latest version. (See next tab for instructions.)

Option 1. Manually find, download and install audio drivers. †

• From the Windows Start menu, click Run.
• Type dxdiag, and then click OK.
• Select the Sound tab.
• In the Device section, write down the name of the installed audio device. In the Drivers section, write down the manufacturer of the device.
• Click Exit.
• Go to the hardware manufacturer’s site (e.g., Realtek, Creative, SoundMAX, etc.) to locate new drivers for your PC’s brand and model.
• Download the required audio driver.
• Un-pack or un-zip the new audio driver.
• Manually install the sound driver. ††

† The steps outlined above are for Windows XP, for other OS versions, pls. visit Microsoft’s website.
†† Need help unzipping or extracting driver files? Use the free tool called 7-Zip!

Option 2. Auto-update, download and install audio drivers.

• Download DriverFinder and run the free driver scan.
• Check the recommended new audio drivers for your PC.
• Click Update to download the new sound driver.
• After downloading, the new audio driver can be manually installed on your PC.
• Register for the Pro version to benefit from faster driver downloads, automatic Restore Point creation, automatic driver installation, and free Tech Support.

1. Download and install drivers using DriverFinder:
   
2. How to troubleshoot general sound issues.
3. Microsoft KB888111 on installing the Universal Audio Architecture (UAA) High Definition Audio class driver for XP.
4. Driver guide articles related to sound.