This document is for HP and Compaq desktop computers with Windows 10, 8, or 7.
A 'No Audio Device is installed' or 'No Audio Output Device is installed' message displays and no sound plays.
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HP PCs - A 'No Audio Device is installed' Message Displays
Enable the audio device in Windows 10 and 8
Run automated tools and check driver status to enable the device in Windows 10 or 8.
Step 1: Run the sound problems troubleshooter
Automatically identify and fix audio errors with the Windows sound troubleshooting tool.
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Right-click the notification area speaker icon
, and then select Troubleshoot sound problems. -
Select the device you want to troubleshoot, and then click Next to start the troubleshooter.
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If a recommended action displays, select Apply this fix, and then test for sound.
Step 2: Check device and driver status in Device Manager
An outdated audio driver can cause sound errors and issues. Use Device Manager to check if the audio device is disabled, and then install an available driver update.
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In Windows, search for and open Device Manager.
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Double-click Sound, video and game controllers.
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Right-click the audio device, and then select Update Driver.
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Click Search automatically for updated driver software to check for and install a driver.
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If an updated driver installs, restart the computer if prompted, and then test for sound.
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If an updated driver is not available, continue to the next step to reinstall the existing driver.
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Right-click the audio device again, and then select Uninstall to open the Uninstall Device window.
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Select Delete the driver software for this device, and then click Uninstall.
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In the top menu bar, click Action, and then select Scan for hardware changes to reinstall the device.
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Test for sound.
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If there is no sound, right-click the Sound icon in the notification area, select Playback devices, and then reconnect your audio device if it is not listed. Once listed, click the device name, click the Sounds tab, select a sound, and then click Test.
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If the device is not listed in Playback devices, restart the computer, and then check if the device displays in the list.
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If the issue persists, continue to the next step.
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Step 3: Check the playback device setup and connection
Check playback device status in the sound settings and check the device connection to the computer.
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Right-click the notification area speaker icon, and then select Playback devices.
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Confirm the device is listed and has a green check mark. This indicates it is the default device. If necessary, right-click the device name, select Set as Default Device, and then test the device.
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If you can use the device, the issue is resolved.
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If the device is not listed, continue to the next step.
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Check the device connection to the computer.
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For cable connections, make sure the device connects to the correct port, and that the connection is secure. Additionally, reconnect the device in case the computer did not detect it when you previously connected it.
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For wireless connections, make sure the device is configured and paired to the PC.
note:
Some desktop computers do not have built-in speakers. Headphones or external speakers are required to hear audio. If the error is resolved but there is still no sound, test with a different playback device and check your specifications for any additional sound requirements.For additional help, go to HP PCs - Connecting a Bluetooth Device or HP PCs - Resolving Headphones and Headset Problems. -
Step 4: Run an audio hardware diagnostic test
Use the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics Windows tool to perform an Audio Playback Test. This checks the functionality of the audio subsystem, including audio controllers and codecs.
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Go to HP Hardware Diagnostics to install the latest version of HP PC Hardware Diagnostics Windows.
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After the installation completes, search Windows for 'HP PC Hardware Diagnostics Windows', right-click the app in the results, and then select Run as administrator to open the tool.
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Click Component Tests, click Audio, and then select Audio Playback Test.
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Click Run once, and then select an audio output device to run the test.
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If the audio test fails, write down the 24-digit failure ID code (also available in the Test Logs), and then contact HP Customer Support, or service the computer.
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If the audio test passes but the issue persists, continue to the next step.
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Step 5: Use Microsoft System Restore or HP System Recovery
If the audio error persists, use Microsoft System Restore or HP System Recovery to fix the problem.
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Go to HP PCs - Using Microsoft System Restore (Windows 10, 8) to restore your computer to a previous state when sound was working.
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If Microsoft System Restore does not resolve the issue, go to HP PCs - Performing a System Recovery (Windows 10)..
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If the error still displays, service the computer.
Enable the audio device in Windows 7
Run automated tools and check driver status to enable the device in Windows 7.
Step 1: Run Windows sound problems troubleshooter
Automatically identify and fix audio errors with the Windows sound troubleshooting tool.
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Restart the computer.
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In the notification area, if the Sound icon has an X
, right-click the icon, and then click Troubleshoot sound problems.
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Follow any on-screen instructions to fix any problems, and then test for sound.
Step 2: Reinstall the audio driver
Use Windows Device Manager or HP Recovery Manager to reinstall the audio device driver.
Reinstall the audio driver with Device Manager
Reinstalling the audio driver can resolve certain sound issues and errors.
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In Windows, search for and open Device Manager.
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Double-click Sound, video and game controllers.
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Right-click the audio device, and then select Uninstall start the driver uninstall process.
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In the top menu bar, click Action, and then select Scan for hardware changes to reinstall the device.
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Test for sound.
Reinstall the audio driver with HP Recovery Manager
Use the Hardware Driver Reinstaller in HP Recovery Manager to install the original audio device driver.
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In Windows, search for and open Recovery Manager.
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Click Hardware Driver Reinstallation, and then select the audio driver from the list.
note:
If the driver is not listed, select The driver is not in the list for steps to install the driver with Windows Device Manager.
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Click Finish to restart the computer, and then test for sound.
Step 3: Check the playback device setup and connection
Check playback device status in the sound settings and check the device connection to the computer.
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Right-click the notification area speaker icon, and then select Playback devices.
-
Confirm the device is listed and has a green check mark. This indicates it is the default device. If necessary, right-click the device name, select Set as Default Device, and then test the device.
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If you can use the device, the issue is resolved.
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If the device is not listed, continue to the next step.
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Check the device connection to the computer.
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For cable connections, make sure the device connects to the correct port, and that the connection is secure. Additionally, reconnect the device in case the computer did not detect it when you previously connected it.
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For wireless connections, make sure the device is configured and paired to the PC.
note:
Some desktop computers do not have built-in speakers. Headphones or external speakers are required to hear audio. If the error is resolved but there is still no sound, test with a different playback device and check your specifications for any additional sound requirements.For additional help, go to HP PCs - Connecting a Bluetooth Device or HP Desktop PCs - Connecting Speakers or Headphones (Windows 7). -
Step 4: Check for an updated audio driver
An outdated audio driver can cause sound errors. Check for and install the latest driver on the HP Software and Downloads page or in Device Manager.
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Go to HP Customer Support - Software and Driver Downloads and then enter your computer product number or let HP detect your product.
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Locate Driver-Audio in the list of available software.
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If an audio driver is available, click it, click Download to download and install the driver, and then test for sound.
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If an audio driver is not available or the issue persists, continue to the next step.
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In Windows, search for and open Device Manager.
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Double-click Sound, video and game controllers.
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Right-click the audio device, and then select Update Driver Software.
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Click Browse my computer for driver software.
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Click Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer, and then select Show compatible hardware.
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Select the audio device from the list, and then click Next to install the driver.
note:
Some devices might use Windows-based drivers if an updated driver is unavailable. Additionally, if the audio device is unknown, a third-party audio device was added with certain required drivers. Go to the device manufacturer support page for options.
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Click Yes to restart the computer, and then test for sound.
Step 5: Use Microsoft System Restore or HP System Recovery
If the audio error persists, use Microsoft System Restore or HP System Recovery to fix the problem.
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Go to Using Microsoft System Restore (Windows 7) to restore the system to a time when it was working.
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If Microsoft System Restore does not resolve the issue, go to Performing an HP System Recovery (Windows 7).
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If the error still displays, service the computer.
Additional support options
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