Speakers not working − How to fix audio problems

Having a strong and stable Internet connection is imperative for a smooth call. If your Internet connection is not strong the sound quality will be way lower, or you will hear no sound at all. The solution is to switch to another and more importantly stable Internet connection. If you are connected to a Wi-Fi network, switch to another Wi-Fi network or to mobile data.

Ways to improve the Internet connection include:

• Ensure that the router is not far away;
• Use signal boosters;
• Upgrade your current Internet plan;
• Switch the Internet provider.
  
  

Discover more solutions to improve the Internet connection in our how to fix slow Internet guide.

System Management Controller plays a role in the following vital computer functions:

• Power (the power button, the USB ports, charging the battery);
• Thermal regulation via the cooling fans;
• Indicators (sleep status, battery charging status, and others, etc);
• other vital processes.

Maybe the reason behind the sound issue is one of the vital computer functions that got stuck. To fix this, you will need to reset the SCM, but only if none of the other solutions worked.

Resetting the SCM is like power-cycling the computer, i.e. unplug it from the power cord, and let it sit for a few minutes until all the electricity is drained. This is what you need to do if you're using a static Mac (iMac, Mac mini, Mac). The equivalent of this process in laptops includes removing the battery. However, as that is not an easy task, Mac have engineered a way using buttons.

1. Turn off your computer;
2. Press and hold the Shift, Control, Option (Alt);
3. Without releasing the buttons above, press and hold the power button for about 10 seconds, after which you should release them;
4. Turn on your computer via the power button.
   
   

Note: Check out the Apple's guide for variations of the instructions above, in case if they didn't work in your case.

If you have corrupt device driver files you will most likely get red "X" on the speakers icon,  yellow "!" or red "X" in Device Manager (this may happen after virus / malware removal also or if you upgraded to Windows 8/10 recently). Try to reinstall the sound card drivers to see if it helps:

1. Click the Start button, right click on Computer and select Properties (Windows 8 & 10: enter Device Manager in the search box and select it from here then go to Step 3).
2. From the top left side select Device Manager.
3. Double click on Sound,video and game controllers.
4. Double click on the driver that causes the error.
5. From the Drivers tab click Uninstall.
6. Right click on Sound, video and game controllers and click on Scan for hardware changes and your sound driver will be automatically installed.
   
   

If you get the same error, uninstall it again, go to the manufacturer's website and download the correct driver or put driver disc to install it from there.

If you talk on Skype/Viber, or other communication service, you may lose the other sounds because of settings you've made before.

To change this:

1. Click the Start button (Windows logo key) and go to Control Panel (Windows+X -> Control Panel for Windows 8 & 10).
2. Select Sound and go to Communications.
3. Select other than "Mute all other sounds". 

Make sure to update your mobile operating system to the latest version.

iOS:

Click here to see how to do the update for iOS.

Android:

In the Settings tab, click on About phone, choose System Updates or Software Updates,and then click on Check now. If your operating system is up to date, you will be notified about it.

If you exhausted all the solutions, but nothing worked for you, maybe you should reset your device. Also some users report a problem when they upgrade from Kit Kat to Lollipop or iOS 6 to iOS 7. Use this as last option because it erases all the data you have. If you consider doing this, move all your important data to SD card or some external device (HDD, Computer).

iOS:

Go to Settings -> General -> Reset -> Erase All Content and Settings -> Enter your passcode. 

Or read here how to do it with iTunes.

Android:

Go to Settings -> scroll down to Backup & reset -> Factory date reset -> Reset phone

If factory reset does not fix your sound problem, it is most likely a hardware issue. Go to your retailer if it's still under warranty.

Core Audio is the digital audio infrastructure of Mac OS X. It is used to handle the audio needs in your applications.

Open your Applications folder and go to Utilities folder. Open the Terminal application and type: 
sudo killall coreaudiod

Restart your Mac after it.

If you don't have sound when you plug in your headphones, try to remove the audio configuration files and reboot the audio drivers to see if it helps.

1. Open your Applications folder and go to Utilities folder. 
2. Open the Terminal application and type one after another: 

          sudo rm /Library/Preferences/Audio/*.plist
          sudo killall coreaudiod

From the Apple menu go to System Preferences -> Sound Pane -> Output tab. Now plug in your headphones and see if they come up, and then select them as output. They can also show up as built-in speakers.

If none of the solutions worked for you, probably your speakers/headphones are damaged and need to be repaired. Most common signs of damaged speakers are distortion and crackling.

But if you don't want to mess up with old speakers / headphones, maybe it's time to buy new ones.

If you upgraded your sound driver to a newer version, but you lost the sound after it, restore the driver to its previous version to see if it helps.

1. Click on the Start button, right click on Computer and select Properties. (Windows 8 & 10: enter Device Manager in the search box and select it from here then go to Step 3)
2. From the top left side select the Device Manager.
3. Double click to expand Sound, video and game controllers.
4. Right click on the sound driver and select Properties.
5. From the Driver tab select Roll Back Driver.

You must be logged on as administrator in order to perform this action.