Sometimes, the computer sound doesn’t work after installing a new version of Windows. In some cases, it happens after putting a new sound card or new speakers or headphone. It may be because the cables were not properly connected, it may also be because the speakers were plugged in the wrong port, drivers were not installed, volume control was set to either mute or lowest level.

Check hardware and physical connections. There are several types of cables used for PC audio. HDMI, 3.5mm jacks, USB and some are through Bluetooth capable devices. What’s commonly used is the 3.5mm jacks. This is commonly seen at the back or front panel of desktop computers. Laptops also have this type of port but it may have a different color. Some laptops only have microphone and line-out and some only have line-out like netbooks. The image below is from a back panel of a desktop computer.

Another type is the HDMI cable. This type of connection is common in PCs connected to home theatre systems and smart TVs. For this to work, you’ll need to have a video card that supports both audio and video output. Almost all new video cards support audio and video output via HDMI. While one end is connected to the PC, the other end must be connected to the HDMI-in of the home theatre or TV.

Check volume level and power of device. Most headphones/headsets are plug and play devices. This applies in speakers and home theatre systems. Some speakers may require a transformer. A good example is a speaker that was purchased in Japan which needs 110v is to be plugged in a 220v outlet. If we plug the device directly to the 220v outlet without using a transformer, the fuse will break and in some cases, it damages the device completely. That’s why, it’s best to check and understand the manual before operating the device. Aside from turning the device on, it may require pressing a button in the remote to change its source. This applies in home theatre systems where it has more than one input source. Lastly, checking the volume to make sure it’s not set to the lowest level/mute.

Installing updated drivers for sound card. For newly installed sound cards or operating systems, most of the times, it will require driver installation. To make sure you’re downloading the correct drivers, visit the computer manufacturer’s support site and navigate to your computer’s model and download the drivers applicable to your operating system (Windows XP, Vista, 7). You’ll also need to check if the operating system is 32bit or 64bit. To check the version of Windows installed on your computer, click Start(Windows Logo) > right-click Computer > Properties. The image below is an example of Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit computer.