Fix No Sound in Games on Windows 10

It would be really frustrating if audio cuts out when playing games on Windows 10, but it works fine for all other system utilities. In this case, you can enjoy other multimedia experiences like YouTube, music, movies, series, and not but games. So, if you experience no sound in games Windows 10 issue, you are lucky enough you’ve come to this article. This guide offers a complete set of troubleshooting methods to fix the same. Why are you still waiting? Continue reading!

How to Fix No Sound in Games on Windows 10

If you are facing game audio not working while enjoying your PC games, the most probable reason would be the improper configuration of game settings. Although this problem affects many versions of Windows, many users are struggling with this issue in Windows 10. The other reasons contribute to no sound in games issue.

• The volume may be muted or very low.
• The Audio enhancement features are enabled on PC.
• Other applications on your PC are using audio.
• Outdated/corrupt audio drivers.
• Damaged cables, plugs, and speakers.
• Access to use a microphone is not granted.
• Outdated Windows Operating System.
• Presence of corrupt files on PC.
• Few essential Windows Audio services are not enabled.

In this section, you will come to know about the troubleshooting methods that will help you fix this issue. Implement the methods as instructed in the same order to get perfect results.

Basic Troubleshooting Steps

Before you head towards the advanced troubleshooting methods, a few simple hacks will help you fix this issue within clicks. Make sure your PC meets all of these preliminary checks, and still, if you did not attain any fix, move to the next section.

• Reboot the PC, and any temporary glitches associated with the computer will be resolved.
• Ensure proper Internet connectivity since high graphical games require an adequate bandwidth limit. When you are in the middle of the game, you may face audio cutting issues if some data packets are lost due to insufficient bandwidth.

• Ensure you use a high-quality microphone, and it is set firmly with your PC. To avoid external noise, make sure you use the best quality speakers or microphones.
• Also, ensure that you are not in a noisy environment with traffic sounds or crowd noises in the background. This will prevent your voice from fading away when you are in the game.
• Check cables for loose connections and whether all other cables are plugged in or not.
• Make sure all other cables and cords are plugged into the correct jack. If you are not sure of the correct jacks, contact the hardware manufacturer.
• Check the volume levels and whether the power is turned on.

• If you also have plugged-in headphones, unplug them and check if it helps.
• When using more than one audio output device, you have to confirm when the device is used up as an output device.
• When the audio utility is used by other programs on your Windows 10 PC, you may have game audio not working issues. To resolve the problem, you are advised to close all other programs or applications running in the background or force them to shut down by using Task Manager.

Method 1: Enable Sound Settings

In this method, you have to check if the sound settings are correct and compatible with the audio device. This helps you fix no sound in games Windows 10 issue as you follow the steps below.

1. Right-click on the Speakers icon at the bottom right corner of the screen.

2. Click on Open Volume mixer.

3. Make sure all volume levels are not muted.

Note: If you find any red circle with a line, unmute the volume level.

4. Press and hold Windows + I keys together to open Windows Settings.

5. Now, click on System.

6. Then, click on Sound from the left pane and click on Device properties under the Output menu.

7. Make sure Disable box is not checked.

8. Repeat Steps 6 & 7 for input devices as depicted.

Method 2: Allow Audio Access for Games

There is a list of applications and programs on your computer that will have access for using audio devices. If your game is not on the list, you cannot hear any audio content. Therefore, ensure the audio settings are enabled for your game on your PC by following the below-mentioned steps.

1. Launch Windows Settings by pressing Windows + I keys together.

2. Now, click on Privacy as depicted.

3. Here, scroll down the left pane and click the Microphone option.

4. Ensure Allow apps to access your microphone option are enabled as shown.

Note: Launch Sound Settings from the search menu and select the correct input device (Microphone (2-High Definition Audio Device)) as default.

Also Read: What is NVIDIA Virtual Audio Device Wave Extensible?

Method 3: Set Audio Device as Default Device

If you are using an audio device like headphones or speakers, you must ensure whether it is set as a default device or not. Let us assume the case of connecting an external monitor (that does not have built-in speakers) to your PC. If this monitor is set as a default output device, you cannot hear any audio. You have to set your audio device as the default device as instructed below to fix this issue.

1. Right-click on the Speakers icon at the bottom right corner of the screen.

2. Select the Sounds option.

3. Then, switch to the Playback tab and right-click on the audio device you would like to set as the default one.

4. Now, select the Set as Default Device option as highlighted.

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5. Click on Apply > OK to save the changes.

Method 4: Update Windows

If any new Microsoft updates are pending to be installed on your PC, a few bugs cannot be resolved on your computer. As suggested by many users, updating Windows 10 computers will help you resolve this issue. Follow our guide How to Download and Install Windows 10 Latest Update to update your Windows 10 computer.

After updating your Windows Operating System, check whether you can access audio in games.

Also Read: Fix Windows 10 Volume Control Not Working

Method 5: Run Audio Troubleshooter

You must be aware that your PC contains an inbuilt troubleshooting tool to fix any issues and errors arising automatically. The audio devices plugged into your computer and the inbuilt audio devices will be scanned, and the problems associated with the process will be sorted out. Follow our guide How to Run Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter to fix issues to fix all the audio-related hardware issues in your PC. Also, you can run the Audio troubleshooter individually as instructed in our guide How to Run Windows Update Troubleshooter, but make sure you select the Playing Audio option as depicted.

Method 6: Update Audio Drivers

Outdated and incompatible audio drivers will always result in the game audio not working issue. Always ensure you use an updated version of audio drivers. If your computer lacks the latest drivers, you are advised to update them as instructed in our guide How to Update Realtek HD Audio Drivers in Windows 10.

Once you have updated your audio drivers to the latest version, check if you have fixed the no sound in games issue.

Also Read: Fix Zoom Audio Not Working Windows 10

Method 7: Reinstall Audio Drivers

Incompatible drivers must be reinstalled to resolve all audio-related problems. You are advised to reinstall device drivers only if you cannot attain any fix by updating them. Steps to reinstall drivers are very easy. You can do so by using a third-party application or implementing the steps manually as instructed in our guide How to Uninstall and Reinstall Drivers on Windows 10.

After reinstalling audio drivers, check if you can hear audio while playing games in Windows 10.

Method 8: Roll Back Audio Drivers

Sometimes, the current version of audio drivers may cause any audio conflicts. In this case, you have to restore previous versions of installed drivers. This process is called rollback of drivers, and you can easily roll back your computer drivers to their previous state by following our guide How to Rollback Drivers on Windows 10.

Wait until the previous versions of drivers are installed on your Windows 10 PC. 

Also Read: How to Fix Audio Stuttering in Windows 10

Method 9: Re-enable Sound Card

You can easily resolve audio cuts when playing games Windows 10 issues by restarting the sound card as instructed below.

1. Hit the Windows key and type Device Manager. Now, click on Open.

2. Then, expand the Sound, video and game controllers by double-clicking on it.

3. Then, right-click on sound card and select the Disable device option.

4. Now, confirm the prompt by clicking on Yes.

5. Reboot your computer.

6. Then, repeat Steps 1 and 2.

7. Next, right-click on sound card and select the Enable device option.

Method 10: Disable Audio Enhancements

If you find your audio working well for other multimedia resources, but the sound seems to be of low quality or noisy, you are advised to change the sample rate. A low-frequency sample rate will cause no sound in game problems, yet you can select a higher frequency sample rate by following the below-mentioned steps.

1. Right-click on the Speakers icon at the bottom right corner of the screen.

2. Select the Sounds option.

3. Then, switch to the Playback tab and select the audio device followed by the Properties button as shown.

4. Then, switch to the Advanced tab, and from the drop-down menu under Default Format, make sure you select the highest frequency range (24 bit, 48000 Hz).

Note: Make sure the Disable audio enhancements option is unchecked under Signal Enhancements as shown.

5. Click on Apply and then OK to save the changes.

Note: If the error persists, adjust different levels of frequency ranges by repeating these steps and confirming which range solves the problem.

Also Read: Fix Windows 10 No Audio Devices are Installed

Method 11: Run SFC/DISM Scan

For perfect audio quality services, a few essential files and programs must be functioning on your PC. But, if they are corrupt or misconfigured, you will face this issue. Fortunately, all these corrupt misconfigured files can be repaired by using the inbuilt utilities of your Windows 10 PC, namely, System File Checker and Deployment Image Servicing and Management. Read our guide on How to Repair System Files on Windows 10 and follow the steps as instructed to repair all your corrupt files.

Wait for the commands to be executed and check if you have fixed the no sound in games Windows 10 issue.

Method 12: Restart Audio Services

A few essential Windows audio services will help you prevent audio cuts out when playing games Windows 10 issues. If these services are turned off, you may face several conflicts. Hence, you are advised to restart a few essential audio services as instructed below.

1. Press the Windows key, type Services and click on Run as administrator.

2. Now, scroll down and double-click on the Windows Audio service.

3. Select the Startup type to Automatic in the new pop-up window, as depicted.

Note: If the Service status is Stopped, click on the Start button. If the Service status is Running, click on Stop and Start it again.

4. Click on Apply > OK to save the changes.

5. Repeat all these steps for other Windows services like Windows Audio Endpoint Builder and Remote Procedure Call (RPC).

Also Read: How to Fix The Audio Service is Not Running Windows 10

Method 13: Deny Exclusive Access for Audio Device

Still, if you are struggling with this issue, you have to ensure no other program is taking control of your audio device. You can disable the discussed feature by following the below-mentioned steps.

1. As you did earlier, right-click on the Speakers icon and select the Sounds option.

2. Navigate to the Playback tab.

3. Then, select your audio device and click on the Properties button as shown.

4. In the General tab, make sure the Device usage option is set to Use this device (enable) as shown.

5. Click on Apply > OK if you have made any changes.

6. Now, switch to the Advanced tab, and under the Exclusive Mode menu, make sure the following options are unchecked.

• Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device.
• Give exclusive mode applications priority.

Note: As soon as you uncheck Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device option, Give exclusive mode applications priority option will be automatically unchecked.

7. Finally, click on Apply > OK to save the changes.

Method 14: Repair and Reset Game

If none of the methods has helped you fix this no sound in games on Windows 10 issue, but you can hear the audio in other games on your PC, then there is a possibility that your game is conflicting somewhere. So, in this case, repair or reset the app if possible to fix the problem.

Note: In this guide, steps to repair and reset the Minecraft Launcher are demonstrated. Follow the steps according to your game.

1. Hit the Windows key and type Minecraft Launcher.

2. Now, select the App settings option as highlighted.

3. Scroll down and click on the Repair option as highlighted.

Note: Repairing the Minecraft Launcher will not affect the app data.

4. If the issue persists, click on the Reset option as shown.

Note: App data will be deleted by resetting the Minecraft Launcher.

5. Finally, reboot your PC and check if you have fixed no sound in games error.

Note: Still, if you face the same, try reinstalling the game as the last option. Read our guide on how to reinstall the Valorant and implement the same for the game, which causes trouble.

Also Read: Fix Discord Picking Up Game Audio Error

Method 15: Perform System Restore

If none of the methods have helped you, the only option left is to restore your computer to its previous version. To do so, follow our guide on How to use System Restore on Windows 10 and implement the instructions as demonstrated.

After restoring your Windows 10 PC, check if you have fixed audio cuts out when playing games Windows 10 problem.

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We hope that this guide was helpful and you could fix no sound in games issue on Windows 10. Feel free to reach out to us with your queries and suggestions via the comments section below. Also, let us know what you want to learn next.