No sound from laptop when speakers are disconnected

OldGrantonian · 03 Sep 2020

I have an elderly (7 years old) Dell Inspiron 17 R that I keep as a fallback laptop. I have Win 10 Pro, fully up-to date.

I recently lost sound, when no external speakers are connected. (For info related to speakers, see further down this post.)

The following are my troubleshooting steps.

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Windows Audio is running.

External speakers are disconnected.

In Device Manager > Sound

Disable, then re-enable:

- IDT High Definition Audio
- Intel Display Audio

That did not resolve the issue.
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Download and run: Intel Driver and Support Assistant.

Message: Your Intel Drivers and software are up to date.
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Control Panel > Sound > Playback tab

Select "Speakers/Headphones"

Click Configure

Click Test

Both speakers pass

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Sound is OK from both speakers when they are connected. But on this specific laptop, I really have no interest in any sound coming from the external speakers (or headphones). I simply want the sound from the laptop itself.

How can I restore my sound?

Footnote: I have no Realtek driver. Is that unusual? I can't remember whether the old laptop actually had a Realtek.

Thanks.

Caledon Ken · 03 Sep 2020

Hi.

Fisrt right click Speaker in Notification area. Open sound mixer. Make sure nothing is set to mute.

Then try in Settings

Start > Settings > System > Sound

At top of page is sound, what device is selected as default. Should not have headphones in description. There is a level indicator that you can test with.

Failing that at the bottom of page Advance Sound, open it and see what is set.

If you open device manager and expand Sound, video and game controller. If Realtek isn't listed than you don't have their adapter and won't have their software.

No sound from laptop when speakers are disconnected-image.png

Ken

Atomic1977 · 03 Sep 2020

Did you make sure your laptops volume isn't on mute or so low you can't hear it?

OldGrantonian · 05 Sep 2020

I tried all the operations suggested by @Caledon Ken and @Atomic1977. None of these identified or solved the issue.

The following worked.

Click Start > Settings > System > Sounds

In the "Output" section, click the "Troubleshoot" button.

When asked, I selected "Do not open Audio Enhancements"

Initially, no test sounds were heard, but eventually (I think) it changed to "Microsoft HD Audio Driver". That solved the problem.

I don't really understand all that, but neither do I care. I'll just leave it till the same issue occurs again. It's just a fallback laptop that kids use when they visit.

Anyway, thanks for all the help.