Solving Audio Problems

If the computer has audio features and you encounter audio problems, see the common causes and solutions listed in the following table.

Table 10-6Solving Audio Problems

Sound cuts in and out.

Cause

Solution

Processor resources are being used by other open applications.

Shut down all open processor-intensive applications.

Sound does not come out of the speaker or headphones.

Cause

Solution

 

 

Software volume control is turned down or muted.

Double-click the Speaker icon on the taskbar, then make

 

sure that Mute is not selected and use the volume slider to

 

adjust the volume.

 

NOTE: In Windows 8, the taskbar is available at the bottom

 

of the Desktop screen.

 

 

Audio is hidden in Computer Setup.

Enable the audio in Computer Setup: Security >

 

Device Security > System Audio.

 

 

The external speakers are not turned on.

Turn on the external speakers.

 

 

The audio device may be connected to the wrong jack.

Ensure that the device is connected to the correct jack on the

 

computer. The rear audio jack output is the green receptacle.

 

The speakers should be plugged into the line-out jack and

 

the headphones should be plugged into the headphone jack.

 

 

External speakers plugged into the wrong audio jack on a

See the sound card documentation for proper speaker

recently installed sound card.

connection. The rear audio jack output is the green

 

receptacle.

 

 

Headphones or devices connected to the line-out connector

Turn on and use headphones or external speakers, if

mute the internal speaker.

connected, or disconnect headphones or external speakers.

 

 

Computer is in Sleep state.

Press the power button to resume from Sleep state.

 

CAUTION: When attempting to resume from Sleep state,

 

do not hold down the power button for more than four

 

seconds. Otherwise, the computer will shut down and you

 

will lose any unsaved data.

 

 

Internal speaker is disabled in Computer Setup.

Enable the internal speaker in Computer Setup. Select

 

Advanced > Device Options > Internal Speaker.

 

 

The application is set to use a different audio device than

Some graphics cards support audio over the DisplayPort

speakers.

connection (if applicable), so multiple audio devices may be

 

listed in Device Manager. Make sure the correct device is

 

being used.

 

To access Device Manager in Windows 7, click Start, select

 

Control Panel, and then select Device Manager.

 

To access Device Manager in Windows 8, from the Start

 

screen, type c, select Control Panel from the list of

 

applications, and then select Device Manager.

 

 

270 Chapter 10 Troubleshooting Without Diagnostics