Instructions
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Look on your Windows Taskbar, next to the system clock, for a small speaker icon. Right-click this icon and select "Playback devices." Look for "Speakers" under the "Playback" tab. If you do not see this, right-click the body of the window and click "Show disabled devices." This will add a check mark next to the text, which signifies disabled devices are being shown. Right-click the "Speakers" icon, or whatever audio output device you are using, and click "Enable." If "Speakers" is already present and has a green check next to it, Windows already has it enabled.
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Open your audio playback software, such as Windows Media Player, and look for a mute button. Usually, there is a speaker icon with a slash through it, if the program is muted. Click the icon to enable sound.
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Reboot your system and enter into BIOS or setup. The method varies between computers, but try continuously pressing "Delete," "F1," "F2," "F8," "F10" or "Esc" while the system is booting up. You will eventually enter the setup. Look for a tab which says "Hardware," "Devices" or "Enable/Disable." Locate your sound card, which may be integrated into the motherboard or installed as a separate card, and enable it. Do this by navigating with your arrow keys until it is highlighted, pressing "Enter" and selecting "Enable." Press "F10" to save and exit BIOS.
How to Repair an Intermittent Audio Device
Windows 7 allows applications to take exclusive control of an audio device. When enabled, Windows 7 will playback sound in only one application, rendering other applications unable to output sound through the audio device. Sound playback may appear intermittent -- sometimes working, and sometimes not -- when in reality the audio device is playing back sound correctly and consistently based on its settings. Disabling exclusive mode will restore audio playback abilities to all of the applications on your computer.
Instructions
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Left-click the Windows logo located on the left-hand side of the taskbar. Click "Control Panel." Type "sound" into the search box. Select "Sound" from the results.
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Select your playback device from the options on the "General' tab. Click "Properties."
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Click "Advanced." Uncheck "Allow Applications to Take Exclusive Control of this Device." Click "OK." Click "OK" again.
Tips & Warnings
- Loose connections can also cause audio to play back intermittently. Confirm your speakers or headphones are plugged in securely to the correct audio jacks on your computer. Check the wires for damage or fraying.
- Windows 7 can cause intermittent audio glitches when playing WAV files or streaming content in Windows Media Player. Microsoft is currently working to resolve this issue.
