How to Fix No Sound After Windows 11 Updating to 24H2 (Easy Solutions)

Experiencing audio output problems on Windows 11 immediately after a system update can be frustrating. Users may find the speaker icon disabled or see a message saying “No Audio Devices Connected.” This disruption can hinder video playback, online meetings, and everyday computer tasks. Thankfully, there are effective steps you can take to resolve these audio issues, focusing on driver repairs, device settings, and system troubleshooting based on user reports and official guidelines.

1. Update or Reinstall Audio Drivers

One of the most common reasons for audio loss after a Windows 11 update 24h2 is driver conflicts or corruption. Reinstalling or updating your audio driver can restore the necessary communication between the operating system and your audio hardware.

Steps to Update or Reinstall Audio Drivers:

Step 1: Press Win + X and select Device Manager from the menu.

Step 2: Expand the Sound, video and game controllers section. If your audio device is missing, look for any unknown devices or items marked with a yellow exclamation mark.

Step 3: Right-click your audio device (like Realtek, Intel or your laptop specific audio driver) and choose Update driver. Select Search automatically for drivers.

Step 4: If no updates are found, right-click the device again and select Uninstall device. Confirm the action and restart your computer. Windows will attempt to reinstall the correct driver automatically.

Step 5: If your audio device remains missing or unresponsive, visit your device manufacturer’s support site (such as HP, Dell, Lenovo, or ASUS) to download and install the latest Windows 11-compatible audio driver.

2. Roll Back Audio Driver

If a new driver installed via Windows Update creates compatibility issues, rolling back to the previous version may restore sound functionality.

Steps to Roll Back Audio Driver:

Step 1: In Device Manager, right-click your audio device and select Properties.

Step 2: Navigate to the Driver tab and click on Roll Back Driver if the option is available. Follow the prompts and restart your computer.

This method is particularly effective if the audio problems started right after a Windows update.

3. Check and Set the Default Audio Output Device

System updates can reset your default audio device, routing sound through the wrong output (such as a disconnected monitor or disabled port).

Steps to Check Default Audio Output:

Step 1: Click on the speaker icon in the system tray, then select the arrow next to the volume slider.

Step 2: Browse through the list of available audio devices. Select your preferred output (like “Speakers,” “Headphones,” or a USB device) and test audio playback.

Step 3: To set a device as default, right-click the speaker icon, select Sound settings, then click Use as default for audio under the Output section.

4. Run the Windows Audio Troubleshooter

Windows 11 comes with a built-in troubleshooter that scans for and resolves common audio issues automatically.

Steps to Run the Troubleshooter:

Step 1: Navigate to Settings > System > Sound.

Step 2: Scroll down to the Troubleshoot common sound problems section and choose Troubleshoot next to your output device. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Step 3: Allow Windows to apply suggested fixes or restart services if prompted.

5. Restart Audio Services

Sometimes, audio services may not start correctly following an update. Restarting these services can restore audio processing capabilities.

Steps to Restart Audio Services:

Step 1: Press Win + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.

Step 2: Locate and right-click on each of the following services, then select Restart:

• Windows Audio
• Windows Audio Endpoint Builder
• Remote Procedure Call (RPC)

If any service is not running, right-click it and select Start, ensuring their startup type is set to Automatic.

6. Disable Audio Effects

Audio enhancements or effects can sometimes create compatibility issues after updates, resulting in muted sounds or audio distortions.

Steps to Disable Audio Effects:

Step 1: Open Settings > System > Sound and select your output device.

Step 2: Scroll to Advanced settings and set Audio enhancements to Off in the dropdown menu.

Alternatively, right-click the speaker icon, go to Sounds, select your playback device, click Properties, and disable all enhancements under the Enhancements tab.

7. Check Physical Connections and Hardware

Loose cables, unplugged speakers, or malfunctioning ports can present as software issues, so it’s essential to verify hardware connections.

Steps to Check Hardware Connections:

Step 1: Ensure that all cables are securely connected to the correct ports. For desktop PCs, this includes checking both front and rear audio jacks.

Step 2: If you’re using external speakers or headphones, test them on another device. If they work correctly elsewhere, the issue may lie within your PC’s hardware or software configuration.

Step 3: If only USB audio devices are functional (but 3.5mm jacks are not), check your motherboard drivers or try different USB ports. Adjusting playback device settings in your audio control panel (like Realtek Audio Console) may also help.

8. Restore System or Reinstall Windows (Last Resort)

If none of the above steps restore audio functionality, you might need to perform a system restore or a clean installation of Windows. This can revert your PC back to a previous state where audio was working or give you a fresh start.

Steps for System Restore:

Step 1: Search for System Restore in the Start menu and follow the prompts to revert your system to a point prior to the update.

Step 2: If system restore fails or is unavailable, back up your essential files and perform a clean installation of Windows 11. This drastic measure has resolved persistent audio issues for many users when all else has failed.

Conclusion

Preventing audio issues on Windows 11 post-update involves regular maintenance, including updating drivers and checking settings after major updates. If you continue to experience problems, seeking assistance from official support or your device vendor for hardware diagnostics may be necessary. By taking these proactive steps, you can ensure a more stable audio experience across all your applications.