Windows: The Quick Fixes

1. Check the "Speaker Selection"

Windows often tries to send sound to the wrong place (like a monitor that doesn't have speakers).

• Click the Speaker Icon in the bottom right corner of your taskbar.

• Click the small arrow (or the name of the device) next to the volume bar.

• Try every option in that list. One of them is likely your actual speakers.

2. The "Off and On" for Sound

Sometimes the software that runs your sound gets "tired" and needs a nudge.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.

2. Find Sound, video and game controllers and click the little arrow to open it.

3. Right-click your sound device (usually "Realtek" or "High Definition Audio").

4. Select Disable device, wait 5 seconds, then right-click it again and select Enable device.

3. Update Drivers

If you are still having issues after following the above steps, it could be a sound driver issue. You can look at this guide to help with that!

Mac: The Quick Fixes

1. The "Sound Output" Check

If you have headphones or a monitor plugged in, your Mac might be confused about where to send the audio.

• Click the Apple Menu () > System Settings (or System Preferences).

• Click Sound and then the Output tab.

• Make sure the correct device is highlighted. Also, ensure the Mute box at the bottom isn't checked!

2. Refresh the Audio Engine (No Restart Required)

If the sound is glitchy or the volume buttons don't work, you can "reset" the sound system without restarting your whole computer.

1. Press Command + Space on your keyboard and type Activity Monitor, then hit Enter.

2. In the search bar at the top right, type coreaudiod.

3. Click on the result that appears.

4. Click the X at the top of the window and select Force Quit. Don't worry—your Mac will immediately restart the sound system automatically.

For Both: The Physical Check

Before you assume the computer is broken, check these three "silent killers" of audio:

• The Mute Key: Look at the very top row of your keyboard. Is there a light on the "Mute" key (usually F1 or F10)?

• The Wrong Plug: If you use a desktop, ensure your speakers are plugged into the Green port, not the Pink (Microphone) or Blue (Line In) ports.

• The Hub: If your speakers are plugged into a USB hub or "dongle," try plugging them directly into the computer instead.