SOUND ISSUES

Sound devices can become disabled or produce background noise because of Windows sound settingsdriversor services. Use the following steps to re‑enable both output and input and reduce unwanted noise.

1. Check that devices are not muted or disabled

• In Windows 11:
  1. Select and hold (right‑click) the Speakers icon on the taskbar.
  2. Select the arrow to the right of the volume slider (Select a sound output) and open More mixer settings (settings icon).
  3. Make sure none of the volume sliders show an "x" (muted). If they dounmute and set to an appropriate level.
  4. Go to Start > Settings > System > Sound.
  5. Under Advancedselect More sound settings.
  6. On the Playback and Recording tabsselect each devicechoose Propertiesand under Device usage ensure Use this device (enable) is selected for both output and input.
• In Windows 10:
  1. Right‑click the Speakers icon on the taskbar and select Open Volume mixer.
  2. Make sure no device or app is muted (no red circle with a line). If mutedclick to unmute.
  3. Go to Start > Settings > System > Sound.
  4. Select the output and input devicesthen Device properties and confirm the Disable checkbox is cleared for both.

2. Set the correct default audio device If Windows picked the wrong device (for examplea monitor with poor or no speakers)sound can seem disabled or distorted.

• Open Control Panel.
• Select Hardware and Sound > Sound.
• On the Playback tabright‑click the speakers or headset that should be used and select Set as Default Devicethen OK.
• Repeat on the Recording tab for the correct microphone.

3. Fix driver‑related issues If the device appears as disabled or produces strange background soundsthe audio driver may be at fault.

• Open Device Manager and expand Soundvideo and game controllers.
• If an IDT High Definition Audio CODEC is present (Windows 10/11):
  1. Right‑click it and select Update driver.
  2. Choose Browse my computer for drivers > Let me pick from a list of (available) drivers on my computer.
  3. Select High Definition Audio Devicethen Next.
• If there is no sound device at allinstall or update the audio driver from the PC or motherboard manufacturerthen restart.

4. Try different audio formats (to remove distortion/background noise)

• Open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound.
• On the Playback tabright‑click the Default Device and select Properties.
• On the Advanced tabunder Default Formatchoose a different formatclick OKand test. Repeat until a clean sound is found.

5. Restart Windows audio services If services stop or hangdevices can appear disabled or behave erratically.

• Press Windows key + Rtype servicesand press Enter.
• Find and restart these services:
  • Windows Audio
  • Windows Audio Endpoint Builder
  • Remote Procedure Call (RPC)

6. Run the built‑in audio troubleshooter

• Open Settings > System > Sound.
• Use the Troubleshoot option under Output/Input (or run the audio troubleshooter via the Get Help app on Surface devices). This can automatically detect and fix common disablement and noise issues.

Ifafter these stepsthere is still no sound at all (including system sounds) or constant abnormal noisethe issue may be hardware‑related and require device‑manufacturer support.

References:

• Fix sound or audio problems in Windows
• Troubleshoot Surface sound and audio accessories
• No audio with Windows 11 - Microsoft Q&A
• How to fix this. no audio device is installed - Microsoft Q&A

Hi ,

I'm Dyari. Thanks for reaching out. I will be happy to assist you in this regard.

If the steps provided by the Q&A do not work for youplease right click Start > Device Manager > Expand Sound > Screenshot and post it back.

Click Start > Type system informatiom > Screenshot and post it back.