How to Fix the No Sound Problem on Windows XP (7 Steps)

By Kefa Olang

In Windows XP, sound problems can be attributed to faulty or corrupt sound drivers and problems with digital media players. Common sound problems are also caused by improperly connected external speaker systems. If you're unable to hear sound from the computer's speakers or headphones, inspecting one or more of these devices allows you to isolate the cause of the problem and use the best method to restore sound.

XP Sound Troubleshooter

Step 1

Navigate to the XP Sound Troubleshooter page (see link in Resources).

Step 2

Click the "Fix it" button and click the "Run Now" button to start the FixIt wizard.

Step 3

Follow the guided steps in the wizard to determine the cause of sound problems. The FixIt wizard provides solutions to solve problems automatically.

Updating Sound Drivers

Step 1

Click the Start button and click "Run." Type "dxdiag" (without quotes) in the open box and press "Enter" to start the DirectX Diagnotisc Tool.

Step 2

Click the "Sound" tab. Look for the name of your sound card under Device and then look for the "Provider" section under Driver. Write down the name of the sound card provider.

Step 3

Navigate to the sound card provider's website and search for driver updates from the support section. When you find the driver update, follow the website's instructions to download and install it because the steps may vary with different providers.

Step 4

Restart your computer to complete the update process.

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