Windows 11 26H2 Audio Not Working? Fixes to Try

If sound stopped working after a Windows 11 26H2 update, first check the selected output device and volume, then restart the PC and test the audio troubleshooter. The update may have exposed a driver, device-selection, or audio-service problem, but the timing alone does not prove that Windows itself caused the fault.

Check the output device and basic settings

Windows can send sound to a different device after an update or restart. A monitor connected by HDMI, a USB headset, a Bluetooth speaker, and the computer’s built-in speakers may all appear as separate outputs. The app may be playing correctly while its sound goes somewhere you are not listening.

Select the speaker icon on the taskbar and open the sound output selector. Choose the speakers or headphones you intend to use.
Open Settings > System > Sound. Under Output, select the device, check its volume, and make sure it is not muted.
Disconnect and reconnect wired or USB audio devices. For Bluetooth, confirm the device is connected and selected for audio output, not merely listed as paired.
Play sound in another app or website. If only one app is silent, check that app’s volume and output settings before changing system drivers.

Also check the app-specific controls in Settings > System > Sound > Volume mixer. Windows can assign an app a separate volume or output device, so raising the main system volume may not fix a muted or misrouted app.

Restart and run Windows’ audio troubleshooter

A full restart is a useful early test because it reloads audio services and device drivers. Choose Start > Power > Restart; shutting down and turning the PC back on may behave differently when Fast Startup is enabled.

Next, open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters and run the troubleshooter for audio playback, if it is offered. Follow its prompts and note what it reports. The troubleshooter can find common configuration problems, but it cannot guarantee a fix for a faulty device, incompatible driver, or damaged speaker.

Update or roll back the audio driver

A driver is the software Windows uses to communicate with an audio device. An update can leave an existing driver outdated or expose an incompatibility. If the audio device is missing, produces an error, or stopped working immediately after an update, inspect it in Device Manager.

Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
Expand Sound, video and game controllers. Also inspect Audio inputs and outputs for the device you use.
Right-click the relevant device and select Update driver, then choose Search automatically for drivers.
If the problem began after a driver change, open the device’s Properties, select the Driver tab, and use Roll Back Driver if that option is available.

Windows may report that the best driver is already installed even when a newer compatible package exists elsewhere. For a computer-specific audio driver, use the support resources for the PC or audio-device manufacturer and match the driver to the exact model and Windows version. Avoid installing drivers from unfamiliar download sites. Do not uninstall a device unless you have a reliable way to reinstall its driver; Windows may reinstall it after a restart, but that is not guaranteed for every device.

Check audio services and enhancements

Windows audio depends on background services. If sound devices appear but playback fails across multiple apps, open the Start menu, search for Services, and open the Services app. Find Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder. If either is stopped, try starting it; if it is running, restarting it may help. Changing service settings is usually unnecessary, so leave their startup configuration unchanged unless you know why it needs adjustment.

Audio enhancements can also interfere with particular devices or drivers. Go to Settings > System > Sound, select the output device, and look for an Audio enhancements setting. If enhancements are enabled, turn them off temporarily and test again. The precise options vary by device and driver. Restore the original setting if it makes no difference or worsens playback.

When the problem affects a microphone or Bluetooth

“Audio not working” can mean that playback is silent, a microphone is not recording, or a headset behaves incorrectly. For a microphone, check Settings > System > Sound > Input, select the intended microphone, and use its test controls if available. Check Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone to confirm that microphone access and access for the relevant app are allowed.

Bluetooth headsets can have separate playback and microphone behavior. Confirm the headset is connected, selected under Sound output or Input as appropriate, and has charge. If it connects but audio still fails, remove it from Windows Bluetooth devices, pair it again, and test it with another app. A headset that works elsewhere but not on the PC points toward a Windows connection, setting, or driver issue; one that fails on multiple devices may need attention as hardware.

Decide whether to remove or undo the update

Do not assume that every sound problem after an update requires uninstalling Windows updates. First establish whether the issue affects all audio devices and apps, and try the less disruptive checks above. If the fault clearly began with a recent driver update, rolling back that driver is more targeted than removing a Windows quality update.

If a Windows update appears to be the trigger and other fixes fail, open Settings > Windows Update > Update history and review what was installed. Windows offers update-removal controls in its recovery settings for certain updates, but removing an update can undo security or reliability fixes. Follow Microsoft’s current on-screen guidance, and avoid interrupting an update or using recovery options you do not understand. If the affected PC is managed by an organization, ask its administrator before changing updates or drivers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Windows 11 26H2 cause audio problems?
It is not possible to identify the cause from the update timing alone. A changed output selection, driver incompatibility, app setting, or device fault can produce the same symptom. Check which devices and apps are affected before choosing a fix.

Why is there no sound after a Windows update?
Windows may have selected another output device, an app may be muted in Volume mixer, or an audio driver or service may not be working properly. Start with Sound settings and a restart, then investigate the driver if the problem continues.

How do I get sound back on my laptop?
Select the laptop speakers under Settings > System > Sound, raise the output volume, and test another app. If the speakers are missing or silent across apps, use the playback troubleshooter and inspect the audio device in Device Manager.

Should I uninstall the Windows update to fix audio?
Not as a first step. Try selecting the correct output and updating or rolling back the relevant driver. Consider removing an update only when the evidence points to it and less disruptive troubleshooting has failed.

Why does my headset connect but have no sound?
Pairing does not always make the headset the active output. Select it in Windows Sound settings, check app-specific routing and volume, and reconnect it. If it fails with other devices too, the headset itself may be the cause.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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