What should be done when a computer goes mute? The solution is mostly quite simple and you can get back to having sound in no time. There can be two reasons for any computer problem. One is a software level anomaly and the other is a hardware problem. The audio facility is obviously made possible by speakers but the hardware device, inside the computer, which makes it possible, is the sound card. On a software level, to control the output, there is a software program called an audio driver. Computer Has No Sound - Troubleshooting Tips Here are the host of reasons why your computer may not have sound, along with instructions on how you could fix the problem, in each case. Accidentally Muted Audio Output My mom is not so much into computers and often, when she uses my computer, she accidentally mutes the sound, by clicking on the desktop icon. Check if that's the problem in your case. Fix: I assume that you are using Windows XP or Windows Vista. Click on the speaker icon on your toolbar below and see to it that the audio is 'unmuted' and there is no cross on the speaker symbol. That should restore sound. Speaker Problems Connecting the sound card with the wrong output port, at the back of the computer, may be the reason for your computer having no audio output. Another reason might be the cutting out of power to your speakers, due to the wires being disconnected. Lastly, your speakers may have quit on you, due to some electrical problem. The volume of the speakers may have been set to the lowest level. Check for all these cases. Fix: If it's because of the speakers quitting on you, just get them replaced. Make sure that the speaker wires are connected in the right positions and check that the sound card audio output port is connected with the speakers. Check for loose wires and connections. That may restore the audio functionality. Driver Problem If nothing's wrong with the speaker, then you need to check if the audio output port has a signal at all. You can check this out, by directly connecting the headset with the audio output port of the sound card and testing it. If there is no sound, you may have a problem with the driver software. Check the sound devices and their drivers installed through 'Control Panel'. Fix: Make a re-installation of the audio driver through the appropriate installation CD. It should immediately restore sound. Sound Card Hardware Failure If you have reinstalled the audio drivers again and still there is no sound, then you have a serious problem. Chances are that your audio card has malfunctioned. To check that, you may have to consult a computer technician. Fix: You will have to install a new sound card, which may cost you around USD 60. Make sure that the card is compatible with the motherboard of your computer. You should be able to trace the source of your problem to one of the above reasons and be able to fix the problem on your own, in no time.