The “No audio output device is installed” error message indicates that your system is unable to detect an audio output device, such as speakers or headphones. This tutorial walks you through the simple troubleshooting steps to resolve this issue and get your audio back up and running smoothly.
Content
- 1. Run the Audio Troubleshooter
- 2. Update the Audio Drivers
- 3. Manually Enable the Audio Output Device
- 4. Reinstall Audio Drivers
- 5. Ensure Audio Services Are Running
- 6. Check BIOS Settings
1. Run the Audio Troubleshooter
Windows has several built-in troubleshooters and other tools of a similar nature to resolve issues within the system. One such tool that can help fix most audio issues, including the “No audio output device is installed” error, is the audio troubleshooter.
Press the Win + I keys. In the Settings window, choose System -> Troubleshoot -> Other troubleshooters. Look for the Playing audio troubleshooter, and click the Run button. The troubleshooter will perform a system scan to identify the issues. If any problems are found, it will suggest fixes that you can apply manually or by clicking on the Apply this fix button.
2. Update the Audio Drivers
You may also be facing the issue if the audio driver on your device, which is responsible for connecting the hardware to the software, is either outdated or corrupt. While Windows typically updates the drivers automatically, it may not happen if you have disabled automatic driver updates.
There are two ways to update the audio drivers, with the first utilizing the Settings app.
Press the Win + I keys, and choose Windows Update from the left pane in the window. Click on the Check for updates button, and look for any pending driver updates. Take your time to install any updates.
Alternatively, use the Device Manager. Press the Win + S keys, type “Device Manager” in the search bar, and click Open. Expand the audio input and output section, right-click on your audio driver, and choose Update driver -> Search automatically for drivers.
If a new driver is found, follow the on-screen instructions to install it. If no drivers are found, search for them manually by choosing Update driver -> Browse my computer for drivers. Look for an updated version of the targeted driver, and install it.
3. Manually Enable the Audio Output Device
Try to enable the audio output device if it has been disabled. Sometimes, due to system updates, user errors, or software conflicts, the audio device can get disabled.
Open a Run dialog by pressing the Win + R keys. Type mmsys.cpl in Run, and click OK. Head to the Playback tab, right-click on your preferred audio device, and choose Enable. If you can’t find an audio device in the Playback tab, right-click on an empty space in the same tab, and choose Show disabled devices. When you find it, right-click on it, and select Enable.
Right-click on the device again, and choose Set as Default Device. Close the Sound dialog box, and restart your computer to hopefully resolve the issue.
4. Reinstall Audio Drivers
Try reinstalling the audio drivers. Open the Windows Search bar by pressing the Win + S keys, type “Device Manager,” and click Open.
Look for your audio driver, and right-click it. Choose Uninstall device, and follow the instructions. Search for an updated version of your audio driver by visiting the website of your audio device’s “manufacturer’ (e.g., Realtek, Intel, NVIDIA, etc.). Navigate to their Support or Downloads section. You may need to enter your device model or select your operating system to locate the correct driver. Download the most recent driver that is compatible with your Windows version.
Double-click on the installer file, and restart your computer. Windows should detect the audio device as installed and recognize it without displaying the “No Audio Output Device Is Installed” error.
Alternatively, install the generic audio device manager from Windows, which can sometimes resolve audio issues when specific drivers from the manufacturer fail. Click on the Action tab -> Add legacy hardware -> Next. Choose Install the hardware that I manually select from a list (Advanced) -> Next.
In the Common hardware types section, scroll down to choose Sound, video and game controllers -> Next. Select Generic USB Audio in the Manufacturer section, then click USB Audio OEM Device -> Next -> Finish. Restart your computer and check whether the issue has been resolved.
5. Ensure Audio Services Are Running
There is also a chance that the No Audio Output Device Is Installed” error was caused by the relevant services not running. Windows relies on certain services to manage audio playback, and if these are disabled or not running, the audio devices may not function correctly. Open a Run dialog by pressing the Win + R keys, type services.msc in Run, and click OK.
Right-click on Windows Audio Endpoint Service Builder, and choose Properties. Click on the Stop button, then hit Start. Expand the drop-down for Startup type, and choose Automatic.
Repeat the same steps for the Windows Audio Endpoint Builder service and the Windows Audio service. Close the Services window to see whether the problem has been fixed.
6. Check BIOS Settings
The audio chipset ensures that the hardware is active and available for the operating system to detect and utilize. If the audio chipset is disabled in the BIOS, no operating system settings or driver updates can enable the sound device.
To ensure this chip is enabled, boot into BIOS. Open the Settings app, and navigate to System -> Recovery. Click on the Restart now button for Advanced Startup. Confirm your action in the following window.
On the Choose an Option screen, go to Troubleshoot -> Advanced Options -> UEFI Firmware Settings -> Restart to go to the BIOS or UEFI Firmware settings. Use the keyboard arrows to navigate through the BIOS/UEFI menu. Look for tabs or sections labeled Integrated Peripherals, Advanced, or Onboard Devices.
The settings for the onboard audio is in one of the sections. It may be listed as Onboard Audio, Integrated Audio, or Audio Controller. Select the audio option, and ensure it is set to Enabled. Press the key for Save and Exit, usually F10, or navigate to the exit options and select Save Changes and Exit. Confirm any prompts to save the settings. Once your computer boots up normally, check whether the audio is working by playing a sound or video.
It is essential to note that the process for accessing and navigating the BIOS or UEFI settings can vary significantly between different laptops and motherboard manufacturers. If you are unsure how to proceed, consulting the official documentation for your specific laptop model or motherboard is highly recommended.
The “No audio output device is installed” error message can be frustrating, but it isn’t impossible to solve. Hopefully, the steps above will help you resolve the issue for good. To prevent this problem from occurring in the future, we recommend regularly installing the latest updates and periodically checking for malware.
Image credits: Unsplash. All screenshots by Zainab Falak.
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Zainab Falak –
Staff Writer
Zainab is an Actuarial Sciences graduate from Pakistan with a passion for technology. When she’s not busy writing insightful pieces on Windows and the latest tech trends, you’ll find her with her nose buried in a productivity book, always on the lookout for ways to optimize her workflow and stay ahead of the curve.
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