Method 1: Restart the computer Restart the
computer at least one time after you install a Windows Vista service
pack to verify that all processes related to the installation are
complete.
After you restart the computer, determine whether you
can hear sound. If you can hear sound, the issue is resolved. If you
cannot hear sound, try Method 2.
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Method 2: Try another sound deviceIf
it is possible, try plugging a different sound device into the
computer. For example, if you were using speakers, try a different pair
of speakers or a set of headphones to make sure that the problem is not
related to the sound device.
Determine whether you can hear
sound. If you can hear sound, there is a problem with the original sound
device and the issue is resolved. If you cannot hear sound, plug the
original sound device back into the computer, and then go to Method 3.
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Method 3: Unplug the computer speakersUnplug
the computer speakers or other sound devices that you may be using,
such as headphones, from the computer and then plug them back in to the
same port. Most sound cards that are compatible with Windows Vista
include a feature that detects sound devices plugged into the audio
jack. This procedure may prompt the audio detection feature to detect
and configure the sound device to make sound.
Determine whether you can now hear sound. If you can hear sound, the issue is resolved. If you cannot hear sound, try Method 4.
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Method 4: Verify that the default sound device is set correctlyAfter
you install a Windows Vista service pack, you may find that the default
sound device, also known as the playback device, was changed. You may
also find that the sound quality has changed. Make sure that the default
sound device is set correctly for the sound device that you are using.
To set the default device, follow these steps:
- Click Start
, type Sound in the Start Search box.
- Click Sound in the search results at the top of the Start menu.
- Click the Playback tab. Notice the check mark next to the default device. For most users, the default device is Speakers. Make sure that your audio settings are configured as expected. Follow these steps:
- On the Playback tab, select the playback device, click Properties, click the Advanced tab, and make sure that the Default Format is set to the value that you expect. When you finish, close this window to return to the previous window.
- On the Playback tab, select the playback device, click Configure, and then make sure the configurations are set correctly.
If
the sound settings are set correctly, you are using speakers as the
sound device, and your speakers are already set as the default device,
go to method 5 now.
- Select the sound device that you want as the default sound device, and then click Set Default.
- Click OK to save your settings and to close the Sound dialog box.
Determine whether you can now hear sound. If you can hear sound, the issue is resolved. If you cannot hear sound, try method 5.
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Method 5: Verify that a sound driver is installedWithout a sound driver, you will not hear sound. Make sure that a sound driver is installed. To do this, follow these steps:
- Click Start
, type Device Manager in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
- In the Device Manager dialog box, expand Sound, video, and game controllers.
If there is a speaker icon next to the sound driver, the driver
is installed. If there is a yellow question mark next to the sound
driver, the driver is not present or will not load.
Go to method 6 to reload the current sound driver and test for sound.
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Method 6: Reload the current sound driver If
you discovered in method 5 that the sound driver was not installed, or
if you discovered that the sound driver was installed but is not
working, try to reload the sound driver. To do this, follow these steps:
- Click Start
, type Device Manager in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
- In the Device Manager dialog box, expand Sound, video, and game controllers.
- Locate the audio device that was included with the computer.
- Right-click the device, and then click Properties.
- Click the Driver tab, and then click Uninstall.
- Make sure that the Delete the Driver Software for this device check box is cleared, and then click OK.
- In the Device Manager dialog box, click the Action menu, and then click Scan for hardware changes.
You receive a message that states that a hardware device is
being installed, and then the uninstalled audio device appears in Device
Manager.
- Close the Device Manager dialog box.
Determine
whether you can now hear sound. If you can hear sound, the issue is
resolved. If the current sound driver did not reload or if it did
reload, but you cannot hear sound, try method 7.
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Method 7: Update the current sound driver If
the current sound driver does not seem to be working, see whether there
is an updated sound driver that you can install. To request an updated
sound driver, contact the manufacturer of the sound driver.
For information about how to contact hardware and software vendors, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/vendors/en-usNote
In some cases, the manufacturer may instruct you to uninstall the
current sound driver and to delete the driver files. To do this, follow
the steps in method 5, but at step 6, click to select the Delete the Driver Software for this device check box.
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