No sound Windows 11 Home.

Robert W. Avery 0 Reputation points
2026-09-09T22:29:46.8166667+00:00

This happened 2 days ago as a windows update became available, which seemed to momentarily fix it, but no sound again, substack, tiktok, youtube, rumble. Tech chat helper Ahmed could find nothing wrong, suggested downloading an ISO for a clean re-install. I'm presented with download helper options that want removable media, but I have only this Dell laptop, no removable media. My 1T SSD drive is big enough. Do I need to create a new partition? Would that even work?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Windows update
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  1. AI answer

    2026-09-09T22:30:09.51+00:00

    A clean reinstall is not the first supported step here. The supported next steps are to check the audio device selection, install pending Windows updates, and update, reinstall, or roll back the audio driver. The provided guidance does not support creating a new partition for this audio issue.

    Recommended order:

    1. Check the output device
      • Go to Start > Settings > System > Sound.
      • Under Output, select the correct speakers or headphones.
      • Make sure volume is not muted.
    2. Set the default playback device
      • Go to Start > Settings > System > Sound.
      • Select More sound settings > Playback.
      • Right-click the correct device and select Set as default.
    3. Turn off audio enhancements
      • Go to Start > Settings > System > Sound.
      • Select the output device in use.
      • Under Advanced settings, set Audio enhancements to Off.
    4. Run the audio troubleshooter
      • Go to Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
      • In Audio, select Run.
    5. Install all Windows updates, then restart
      • Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update.
      • Select Check for updates and install all available updates.
      • Restart the laptop.
    6. Update the audio driver
      • Open Device Manager.
      • Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
      • Right-click the audio device and select Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
      • Restart after the update.
    7. If the problem started after Windows Update, roll back the driver
      • In Device Manager, right-click the audio device and select Properties.
      • Open the Driver tab.
      • Select Roll Back Driver if available, then restart.
      • This option is available only if a previous driver version exists.
    8. If updating does not help, reinstall the audio driver
      • In Device Manager, expand Sound, video and game controllers.
      • Right-click the audio device and select Uninstall device.
      • Restart the PC.
      • Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.
      • Save open work before restarting.
    9. If the device is missing entirely
      • In Device Manager, expand Sound, video and game controllers.
      • If the device is not shown, select View > Show hidden devices.
      • Then select Action > Scan for hardware changes.
      • If needed, install the latest audio driver from the Dell support site for the laptop model and Windows version.

    For a Dell laptop specifically, if Windows Update replaced the original Dell audio driver, reinstalling the latest Dell audio driver package can restore sound.

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  2. Ivan B 122.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-09T23:05:57.99+00:00

    Hi,

    I can guide you on how to reinstall using an ISO without needing a removable drive, or I can try to help fix the audio driver.

    Go to Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers, take a screenshot, and post it here.

    Search for msinfo32.exe in the search bar, take a screenshot, and post it here so we can see the correct laptop model or desktop configuration.

    Thanks.

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