Fix No Audio Output Device Installed Error on Windows 10

This guide walks you through fixing the “No Audio Output Device Is Installed” error on Windows 10. This error usually appears in the taskbar volume icon and prevents any sound from playing through speakers or headphones. You’ll need administrator access to your PC to complete the steps, and possibly a working internet connection to download drivers.

What You’ll Need

Administrator account on the Windows 10 PC
Internet connection (for driver downloads and updates)
Your audio device (speakers, headphones) connected and powered on
Optional: another PC to download drivers if the issue is network-related

Step-by-Step

Restart your PC. A simple restart can clear temporary glitches that cause the error. Save any open work, then click Start > Power > Restart.
Check physical connections. Ensure your speakers or headphones are properly plugged into the correct jack (usually green for audio out) or USB port. If using Bluetooth, make sure the device is paired and turned on.
Run the audio troubleshooter. Go to Settings (Windows key + I) > System > Sound. Scroll down and click “Troubleshoot” under “Output”. Follow the prompts; Windows will attempt to detect and fix the issue.
Update or reinstall the audio driver.
1. Right-click the Start button and select “Device Manager”.
2. Expand “Sound, video and game controllers”.
3. Look for your audio device (e.g., Realtek High Definition Audio, or the name of your sound card). If you see a yellow warning icon, right-click it and select “Uninstall device”. Check “Delete the driver software for this device” if the option appears, then click Uninstall.
4. After uninstalling, click “Action” in the menu bar and select “Scan for hardware changes”. Windows will reinstall the driver automatically.
5. If that doesn’t work, right-click the device and choose “Update driver” > “Search automatically for drivers”. If Windows finds nothing, try “Browse my computer for drivers” > “Let me pick from a list”, then select the latest available driver.
Enable the audio device. In Device Manager, right-click your audio device and select “Enable” if it’s disabled. Also check if the device is set as default: Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar, select “Open Sound settings”, then under “Output” choose the correct device from the dropdown. If none appears, right-click the volume icon and select “Sound”, go to the “Playback” tab, right-click an empty area, and check “Show Disabled Devices”. If your device appears there, right-click it and select “Enable”, then “Set Default”.
Install Windows updates. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click “Check for updates”. Install any pending updates, especially driver updates that Windows may offer.
Check Windows Audio services. Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter. Find “Windows Audio” in the list. Right-click it and select “Restart”. Also ensure its Startup Type is set to “Automatic” (right-click > Properties). Do the same for “Windows Audio Endpoint Builder”.
Use the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter. Press Windows key + I, go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters. Select “Hardware and Devices” and run it. This can detect hardware-level issues.
Check BIOS settings. If the error persists, restart your PC and enter BIOS/UEFI (usually by pressing F2, Del, or Esc during boot). Look for “Onboard Audio” or “HD Audio” and ensure it is set to “Enabled”. Save and exit.
Restore your system. If the issue started recently, use System Restore: Type “System Restore” in the Start menu, open “Create a restore point”, click “System Restore”, and follow the prompts to restore to a point before the error occurred.

Common Mistakes

Uninstalling the wrong driver. In Device Manager, make sure you uninstall the correct audio device, not a monitor or USB device that might also appear in the sound category.
Not restarting after driver changes. Always restart your PC after uninstalling or updating drivers to ensure the changes take effect.
Ignoring the default device setting. Even if the device is installed, Windows may not use it if another device (like a monitor with no speakers) is set as default.
Skipping the physical check. Loose cables or a muted volume can mimic the error. Check the audio jack and volume levels before diving into driver updates.
Disabling the device in BIOS accidentally. If you enter BIOS for another reason, make sure you don’t disable the audio by mistake.

Tips

Use the manufacturer’s driver. If Windows doesn’t find a driver, visit your PC or motherboard manufacturer’s website and download the latest audio driver specifically for your model. This often resolves compatibility issues.
Keep your system updated. Regularly install Windows updates; they often include audio driver fixes.
Try a different audio port. If you’re using the front panel jack, try the rear panel jack (or vice versa) to rule out a faulty port.
Check for third-party audio software. Some audio enhancement apps (like Realtek Audio Console or Dolby) can conflict. Temporarily disable or uninstall them to see if the error disappears.
Use the “Roll Back Driver” option. If the error appeared after a driver update, go to Device Manager, right-click your audio device, select Properties > Driver tab, and click “Roll Back Driver” if available.

Troubleshooting

If the steps above don’t resolve the issue, try these additional checks:

Check if the audio device is disabled in BIOS. Re-enter BIOS and confirm that onboard audio is enabled. Some motherboards disable audio when a dedicated sound card is installed, so if you have one, try removing it temporarily.
Boot into Safe Mode. Restart your PC and press F8 (or Shift + Restart) to boot into Safe Mode. If audio works there, a third-party driver or software is causing the issue. Uninstall recently installed programs or drivers.
Use a different user account. Create a new local user account (Settings > Accounts > Family & other users) and see if the error occurs there. If not, your user profile is corrupted; you can migrate your files to the new account.
Check for hardware failure. Test your speakers/headphones on another device. If they work, the issue is with your PC’s audio hardware. If the problem persists, you may need to replace the sound card or motherboard.
Run SFC and DISM. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run sfc /scannow. After it finishes, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. This repairs corrupted system files that might affect audio.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my PC say “No Audio Output Device Is Installed” even though I have speakers?

This error means Windows cannot detect any working audio hardware. It could be due to a disabled device, outdated or corrupted drivers, or a hardware connection issue.

Will reinstalling Windows fix this error?

In many cases, yes, because it resets all drivers and system settings. However, try the less drastic steps first, as a clean install erases your files.

Can I fix this error without a mouse?

Yes, you can use keyboard shortcuts. For example, press Windows key + X, then press M to open Device Manager. Use arrow keys and Enter to navigate.

Is this error caused by a virus?

It’s unlikely. Viruses rarely cause this specific error. More common causes are driver issues, Windows updates, or hardware problems.

How do I know if my audio hardware is dead?

If you’ve tried all software fixes and the error persists, and your speakers/headphones work on another device, your audio hardware may be faulty. You can test by booting from a USB Linux stick — if audio works there, it’s a Windows issue; if not, it’s hardware.

Will a USB audio adapter solve this?

Yes, a USB sound card or adapter can bypass the built-in audio hardware. Plug it in, and Windows will install a generic driver. This is a quick workaround if you need sound immediately.

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

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