Method 1: Restart the computer
Restart the computer at least one time after you install a Windows Vista service pack to verify that all processes related to the installation are complete.
After you restart the computer, determine whether you can hear sound. If you can hear sound, the issue is resolved. If you cannot hear sound, try Method 2.
Method 2:Try another sound device
If it is possible, try plugging a different sound device into the computer. For example, if you were using speakers, try a different pair of speakers or a set of headphones to make sure that the problem is not related to the sound device.
Determine whether you can hear sound. If you can hear sound, there is a problem with the original sound device and the issue is resolved. If you cannot hear sound, plug the original sound device back into the computer, and then go to Method 3.
Method 3: Unplug the computer speakers
Unplug the computer speakers or other sound devices that you may be using, such as headphones, from the computer and then plug them back in to the same port. Most sound cards that are compatible with Windows Vista include a feature that detects sound devices plugged into the audio jack. This procedure may prompt the audio detection feature to detect and configure the sound device to make sound.
Determine whether you can now hear sound. If you can hear sound, the issue is resolved. If you cannot hear sound, try Method 4.
Method 4: Verify that the default sound device is set correctly
After you install a Windows Vista service pack, you may find that the default sound device, also known as the playback device, was changed. You may also find that the sound quality has changed. Make sure that the default sound device is set correctly for the sound device that you are using. To set the default device, follow these steps:
* Click Start, type Sound in the Start Search box.
* Click Sound in the search results at the top of the Start menu.
* Click the Playback tab. Notice the check mark next to the default device. For most users, the default device is Speakers. Make sure that your audio settings are configured as expected. Follow these steps:
** On the Playback tab, select the playback device, click Properties, click the Advanced tab, and make sure that the Default Format is set to the value that you expect. When you finish, close this window to return to the previous window.
** On the Playback tab, select the playback device, click Configure, and then make sure the configurations are set correctly.
If the sound settings are set correctly, you are using speakers as the sound device, and your speakers are already set as the default device, go to method 5 now.
* Select the sound device that you want as the default sound device, and then click Set Default.
* Click OK to save your settings and to close the Sound dialog box.
Determine whether you can now hear sound. If you can hear sound, the issue is resolved. If you cannot hear sound, try method 5.
Method 5: Verify that a sound driver is installed
Without a sound driver, you will not hear sound. Make sure that a sound driver is installed. To do this, follow these steps:
Click, type Device Manager in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
In the Device Manager dialog box, expand Sound, video, and game controllers.
If there is a speaker icon next to the sound driver, the driver is installed. If there is a yellow question mark next to the sound driver, the driver is not present or will not load.
Go to method 6 to reload the current sound driver and test for sound.
Method 6: Reload the current sound driver
If you discovered in method 5 that the sound driver was not installed, or if you discovered that the sound driver was installed but is not working, try to reload the sound driver. To do this, follow these steps:
* Click Start, type Device Manager in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
* In the Device Manager dialog box, expand Sound, video, and game controllers.
* Locate the audio device that was included with the computer.
* Right-click the device, and then click Properties.
* Click the Driver tab, and then click Uninstall.
* Make sure that the "Delete the Driver Software for this device" check box is cleared, and then click OK.
* In the Device Manager dialog box, click the Action menu, and then click Scan for hardware changes.
You receive a message that states that a hardware device is being installed, and then the uninstalled audio device appears in Device Manager.
Close the Device Manager dialog box.
Determine whether you can now hear sound. If you can hear sound, the issue is resolved. If the current sound driver did not reload or if it did reload, but you cannot hear sound, try method 7.
Method 7: Update the current sound driver
If the current sound driver does not seem to be working, see whether there is an updated sound driver that you can install. To request an updated sound driver, contact the manufacturer of the sound driver.
For information about how to contact hardware and software vendors, visit the following Web site:
Note In some cases, the manufacturer may instruct you to uninstall the current sound driver and to delete the driver files. To do this, follow the steps in method 5, but at step 6, click to select the Delete the Driver Software for this device check box.
