One speaker not working

You need to go to Settings on your computer and then go to Sound and check that your speakers are connected to your computer. Also, try to increase volume on your computer. Maybe your volume was turned down.

If you're missing Skype calls because you can't hear the ringtone, it's time to crank up the volume. There are three different ways to increase the ringtone: within the Skype client, within your operating system's volume settings and by adjusting your physical speakers or headset. You might find it necessary to adjust all three settings to get the proper volume. You also must set your Skype status to "Available," because a "Busy" status disables the ring from incoming calls.

Launch Skype. Open the "Help" menu. Select "Options." Select "Audio Settings" from the left sidebar of the Options window. Find the "Speakers" listing. Uncheck the "Automatically Adjust Speaker Settings" box. Slide the blue volume slider to the right to increase the volume. Press the green play button to test the volume. Skype plays a default ringtone to test the sound. Adjust your computer's sound settings. Windows users, click the speaker icon in the taskbar located at the bottom right of your screen. Move the slider up to increase the volume. Mac users, open the "Apple" menu. Select "System Preferences" and click "Sound." Drag the slider to the right to increase the volume. Turn up the volume on your speakers or headset. Desktop speakers can be adjusted by turning the knob on the front of the main speaker. Headsets sometimes have a small button that can be pressed up and down to adjust the volume, depending on the model.

From the manual:
http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01114193.pdf

Hotkeys are combinations of the fn key (lower left of keyboard) and one of the function keys:
Mute and restore speaker sound. fn+home
Increase speaker sound. fn+pg up
Decrease speaker sound. fn+pg dn
To use a hotkey command on the computer keyboard, follow either of these steps:
Briefly press the fn key, and then briefly press the second key of the hotkey command.
- or -
Press and hold down the fn key, briefly press the second key of the hotkey command, and then
release both keys at the same time.
Muting speaker sound (fn+home)
Press fn+home to mute speaker sound. Press the hotkey again to restore speaker sound.
Increasing speaker sound (fn+pg up)
Press fn+pg up to increase speaker sound. Hold down the hotkey to increase speaker sound incrementally.
Decreasing speaker sound (fn+pg dn)
Press fn+pg dn to decrease speaker sound. Hold down the hotkey to decrease speaker sound incrementally.


More manuals for this model:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/manualCategory?cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&product=3678775&

IS A LOOSE WIRE CONNECTION TO THIS SPEAKER ---- WHEN ON FULL VOLUME THE HIGHER CURRENT COMING TO THE SPEAKER KEEPS IT PLAYING .......
CHECK THE CONNECTION ON THE BACK OF THE SPEAKER ---- MAYBE UNHOOK AND RECONNECT AGAIN ......... IF NOTHING CHECK THIS SPEAKER CONNECTION AT THE
STEREO REAR .............. YOU WILL FIX THIS

I have the same problem I tested the power volume controller with in my friend sub-woofer and same issue, is not the sub-woofer neither the speaker, is the power volume controller definitively.

Hotkeys
The computer employs hotkeys or key combinations to access most of the
computer's controls like screen brightness, volume output and the BIOS utility.
To activate hotkeys, press and hold the <Fn> key before pressing the other key
in the hotkey combination.

<Fn> + <F8> Speaker toggle Turns the speakers on and off.

<Fn> + < > Volume up Increases the sound volume
(only for certain models).

<Fn> + < > Volume down Decreases the sound volume
(only for certain models).

Have you tryed to turn down the sound volume on the media player its self as well as the the main volume?

i had the first problem and you can probably fix it by turning the volume knob all the way up and down about 20 times. it worked for me. supposedly the potentiometers in the z-5300 get dirty or worn out, somehow this might fix it. for the second problem maybe try plugging it into the laptop and unplugging it again seeing if it goes back to normal?maybe its a problem with the amp?

Find a friend who has an extra pair of speakers and try, but it looks like your speaker has a short/open Try your speakers on a different system, if the problem follows you, your speaker has problems. The cost of fixing theses might not warrant sending them out. Check your warranty. If you were cranking the volume, you could have blown the speaker driver.