1. Check the device manager
The first step in troubleshooting a sound card issue on a Windows computer is to open up the Device Manager. To do so, go to Control Panel > System and Security > System > Device Manager. Once the Device Manager is open, look for the Sound, video and game controllers section.
If you see a yellow exclamation mark or a red X next to your sound card, it means the driver is not installed correctly or is missing.
2. Update or reinstall your driver
In most cases, updating or reinstalling the driver should fix the issue. There are a few ways to do this.
The first option is to use the manufacturer’s driver update utility. This may be provided with the sound card or can be found on the manufacturer’s website. Make sure to select the correct sound card model when searching for available drivers.
Another method is to manually download the driver from the sound card manufacturer’s website. Select the model of sound card, then locate and download the driver. Once the driver is downloaded, install it by double-clicking the downloaded file or following the instructions provided.
The final option is to use a third-party driver updater such as Driver Booster. This will scan your system for outdated and missing drivers, then automatically download and install the correct version.
3. Check volume settings
If updating or reinstalling the driver does not solve the issue, the next step is to check the volume settings. Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar, then select Sounds from the menu.
The Speakers Properties window will open. If the Mute option is checked, make sure to uncheck it. If the volume is turned down too low, increase it by dragging the slider to the right.
4. Check audio connections
If the volume settings have been adjusted but there is still no sound, the problem could be caused by a faulty cable connection or a bad sound card. To check if the connection is secure, unplug and reconnect the cables.
If possible, try using a different set of speakers or headphones to check if the sound is working. This will help to eliminate any hardware issues.
5. Troubleshoot hardware problems
If all else fails, the last resort is to troubleshoot hardware problems. To do so, open up the Sound Setup Utility. In Windows 10, this can be found by going to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound.
The Sound Setup Utility will let you test the sound card and diagnose any issues. Follow the on-screen instructions to carry out the tests and troubleshoot the issue.