What you will achieve

Restore sound on Windows when speakers or headphones produce no audio — working through output device selection, services, and drivers in order.

1) Check output device and volume

Click the speaker icon in the taskbar — confirm volume is up and not muted.
Click the arrow or chevron next to the volume slider to pick the correct output (HDMI, headphones, USB DAC — not a disconnected device).
Settings → System → Sound → choose the output device and run the troubleshooter.

2) Restart Windows Audio services

Admin PowerShell:

Restart-Service Audiosrv
Restart-Service AudioEndpointBuilder

3) Update or reinstall audio driver

Win + X → Device Manager → Sound, video and game controllers.
Right-click the device → Update driver or Uninstall device, reboot, and let Windows reinstall.
For Realtek/Intel/Sound Blaster, install the latest driver from the PC or motherboard vendor — not generic unknown drivers.

4) Disable audio enhancements

Settings → System → Sound → [device] → Properties.
Set Enhance audio or spatial sound off if crackling or silence appeared after an update.

5) Exclusive mode conflicts

Sound device Properties → Advanced → uncheck Allow applications to take exclusive control if DAW or VoIP steals output.

6) HDMI audio missing

GPU driver bundles HDMI audio device — update NVIDIA/AMD driver if TV shows picture but no sound.

7) Run audio troubleshooter

Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters → Playing Audio.

8) Windows Audio Endpoint Builder dependency

Get-Service AudioEndpointBuilder, Audiosrv | Select-Object Name, Status, StartType

Both should be Running, Automatic.

9) Realtek dual driver conflict

Microsoft inbox Realtek vs OEM Realtek — install one stack only. Remove both from Device Manager, reboot, install OEM package from laptop vendor.
Front panel HD audio vs rear — wrong jack detection in Realtek control panel mutes output.

Verification checklist

Play YouTube and local WAV file — both sources test browser vs system path. Bluetooth headset and wired speakers tested separately if both available.

Reboot once after changes that affect services, drivers, or firmware.
Confirm the original problem is resolved under normal daily use, not only immediately after the fix.
Note date, Windows version (Settings → System → About), and what changed in your personal runbook for next time.

Quick reference paths

mmsys.cpl
Settings → System → Sound
Services → Windows Audio
Admin tools: press Win + X for Terminal (Admin), Device Manager, and Computer Management.

After major Windows upgrade, check Settings → System → Sound for new default output device — upgrades sometimes select HDMI or virtual device instead of speakers.