There are a variety of potential causes of a lack of sound coming from speakers. Many of these can be tackled with a few basic troubleshooting steps.
1. Check the connections – Make sure the cables connecting your speakers to the sound card or amplifier are firmly inserted into the right sockets. If you’re using a subwoofer, it will usually have a separate feed from the other speakers.
2. Make sure the speakers are powered on – Many speakers have an on/off switch or power button. This should be turned on before attempting to play sound from them.
3. Ensure your speakers are set up correctly – Depending on the type of speaker, there may be settings that need to be adjusted before sound will come out. For example, some require you to select the type of audio output (mono, stereo etc.) in the settings menu.
4. Check the volume levels – Increasing the overall volume of the system may resolve the issue if the sound is simply turned down too low. This can be accessed from the control panel/options menu of the sound device (sound card, amplifier etc.).
5. Make sure the sound settings are correct – The sound device may be configured to send sound to something other than your speakers (such as headphones). Change the default audio output to ‘speakers’ in the sound options.
6. Check for external interference – If you’re using a portable device such as a laptop, check for any other equipment that might interfere with the sound signal. This could include mobile phones, wireless networks, and other devices that transmit radio signals. All these can disrupt the audio output from the speakers.
7. Check your audio drivers – The speakers will only work if you have the correct audio driver installed on your computer. You can find out what type of driver you need by visiting the manufacturer’s website. Once you know the model number and version number, you can download the driver and install it on your computer.
8. Check for a hardware fault – Faulty hardware components (such as the sound card, audio port, or amplifier) are another common cause of no sound. Try using a different sound device or a set of headphones to rule out the possibility of a hardware fault.
9. Keep your speakers clean – Dust and dirt can clog up speaker components over time, causing audio distortion and reducing volume. To keep your speakers in tip-top condition, regularly wipe down the casing with a clean, dry cloth.
10. Test the speakers on another device – If you’re still having no luck, you could try connecting the speakers to another device with audio output. This will help to identify whether the problem lies with the speakers themselves or with the source of the audio signal.
If none of the above troubleshooting tips have resolved the issue, you may need to seek professional advice. A technician at an electronics shop can usually diagnose the problem quickly and recommend a solution.