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.

Sound cuts in and out.

Cause

Solution

 

 

Processor resources are being used by other open

Shut down all open processor-intensive applications.

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 recently installed sound card.

See the sound card documentation for proper speaker connection. The rear audio jack output is the green receptacle.

Headphones or devices connected to the line-out connector mute the internal speaker.

Turn on and use headphones or external speakers, if 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.

 

 

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Chapter 8 Troubleshooting without diagnostics