How to Install a Sound Device for Windows Media Player

By Lucosi Fuller

To get sound out of your computer, you need to install sound devices and sound device drivers. This is how you help Windows Media Player pump out good audio.

Step 1

Match your hardware to the appropriate port on your computer. Ports have symbols on them that look like the hardware that links to the port. If a port is for speakers, the symbol looks like a speaker. If it's for headphones, the symbol looks like headphones.

Step 2

Insert the plug of the hardware into it's corresponding port. Your computer should detect the new hardware that's being installed and an Installation Wizard should pop up.

Step 3

Follow the instructions in the Installation Wizard and the sound device driver for the hardware will be installed. If an Installation Wizard doesn't appear when you plug in your hardware, move on to Step 4.

Step 4

Click on "Start" and then click on "Control Panel."

Step 5

In the "Control Panel" system folder, click on "System and Maintenance."

Step 6

Click on "System."

Step 7

Click on "Device Manager."

Step 8

Find "Sound, video and game controllers" on the list and click on it.

Step 9

Find the device you have just installed and right-click on it and then click on "Update Driver Software..." This should install the software driver for the hardware you installed.

Step 10

Open Windows Media Player and test the sound. If you hear sound, then you're finished. If it doesn't, right-click on each item on the list under "Sound, video and game controllers" and update the drivers. Once you've done that, then Windows Media Player should have audio.