There can be a few different reasons why sound may not be working on your Windows computer.
The first step you should take when troubleshooting sound issues is to check to make sure the basic hardware is connected properly. This includes making sure the speaker cables are properly plugged into the correct ports on the back of the computer and that the speakers themselves are turned on and functioning. You should also make sure the speakers are set up correctly in the volume control panel of the operating system.
If the basic hardware checks out and the volume control panel settings appear to be correct, then the next step would be to check the sound card drivers. Most sound problems can be attributed to corrupted drivers or drivers that are missing or out of date. To update or reinstall the drivers, navigate to the manufacturer’s website and download the most recent driver version available for your sound card. Once the drivers have been installed, restart your computer to see if the sound starts working.
If the drivers don’t appear to be the issue, then it’s possible the sound card itself may be malfunctioning. To check this, open the Device Manager in the Control Panel window and look under “Sound, Video, and Game Controllers.” If the sound card is listed there and there is a red X or yellow exclamation mark next to it, then the sound card is likely the problem.
In some cases, the sound card may be malfunctioning due to a conflict with another device. To find out if this is the issue, try uninstalling any newly installed audio devices. If the sound card starts working after removing these devices, then you know there is a conflict that must be resolved.
Finally, if none of the above solutions work, then it’s possible the sound card is simply defective. In this case, you may need to purchase a new sound card and install it in order to get the sound working again.