Whether you're putting on a presentation or want some music for the office, an unreliable audio signal can be both unprofessional and annoying. A number of scenarios can result in your computer volume suddenly seeming to mute itself. You can perform a few troubleshooting procedures to diagnose and fix most audio problems on your company's computers.
Basic Audio Troubleshooting
Before performing more advanced troubleshooting, check the basic culprits first. Verify that your speakers and headsets are firmly connected to the audio output ports on your computer. If there is a mute button on your keyboard, speakers or headset, press that button to make sure you didn't inadvertently mute your audio. To verify that your system audio is not muted, swipe your mouse pointer to the top right corner of your screen, click "Settings" and click "Volume Control." If you're watching a video or listening to music in a dedicated multimedia program, open its dedicated sound controls and make sure volume isn't muted there.
Test Playback Device on Another Computer
To determine whether your lack of sound is related to your computer itself or your audio playback device, unplug your playback device and connect it to another computer. This technique only applies to external speakers and headphones. If the problem persists when the speakers or headphones are connected to another computer, then the speakers or headphones are malfunctioning and either need to be repaired or replaced.
Wireless Speakers and Headsets
If you're listening to audio through wireless headphones or speakers, check their batteries. When batteries begin to lose their charge, their ability to transmit audio is hampered. Also check the battery in the base unit; if the base is powered by an AC cable, verify the cable is inserted properly into a functioning power outlet. Also bear in mind that all Bluetooth devices have maximum ranges of approximately 33 feet. Attempting to use a Bluetooth device at the outer limits of this range can lead to audio drop-outs, making it appear as though your speakers or headphones have been muted.
Microsoft Audio Diagnostic Tool
If none of the above solutions fixes your problem, take advantage of Microsoft's automatic audio diagnostic tool (link in Resources). This free tool analyzes your computer in order to determine whether playback devices are properly configured and whether your computer's audio drivers are up to date. If your drivers are out of date, the tool will prompt you to update them.
Information in this article applies to computers running the Windows 8 operating system. It may vary slightly or significantly with other versions or products.
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