How to troubleshoot sound problems in Windows XP

This article describes how to troubleshoot common sound problems in Windows XP. This article is intended for a beginning to intermediate computer user. You may find it easier to follow the steps if you print this article first.

You may experience any of the following symptoms on your Windows XP-based computer:

• You do not hear sound from the computer's speakers or headphones.
• A sound seems to be played, but you do not hear anything.
• A sound is played, but it stops suddenly.
• The sound skips or misses in some areas.
• The sound is distorted or scratchy.
• The computer stops responding when a sound is played.
• The computer restarts when a sound is played.
• You receive an error message when you try to play sound. Error messages could include the following:
  • MIDI output error detected.
  • No wave device that can play files in the current format is installed.
  • The CD Audio device is in use by another application.
  • WAV sound playback error detected.
  • Your audio hardware cannot play files like the current file.

This article presents four methods to help you resolve the sound issues. Try the methods in the order in which they are presented. If one does not work, try the next. After you try each method, determine whether you can hear sound. To do this, play an audio file by using a program such as Windows Media Player.

Note Make sure that the output device (speakers or headphones) are plugged in and turned on. Also, make sure that the output device is not on mute and that the volume on the output device and on the program volume control is set high enough so that you can hear sound.

Method 1: Try another sound device

If possible, plug a different output device into the computer. For example, if you have been using speakers, try a different pair of speakers or a set of headphones to make sure that the problem is not related to the device itself.

Determine whether you can hear sound. If you can hear sound, there is a problem with the original output device and the issue is resolved. If you cannot hear sound, plug the original output device back into the computer and go to method 2.

Method 2: Use the Windows XP Sound Troubleshooter

Windows XP includes a troubleshooting program which could help you resolve your sound issues. Start the Windows XP Sound Troubleshooter automatically or manually and then answer each question on-screen in order to try to find a resolution.

Step 1: Start the Sound Troubleshooter

If you are already familiar with Windows XP Help and Support Center, click the following link to start the Sound Troubleshooter: OR

Start Sound Troubleshooter manually by using the following steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Help and Support.
2. Under Pick a Help Topic, click Fixing a problem.
3. In the navigation pane on the left, click Games, sound, and video problems.
4. In the topic pane, on the right side, click Sound Troubleshooter.

Step 2: Use the Sound Troubleshooter

1. Click the option that describes the problem that is occurring, and then click Next.
2. Repeat step 1 until your problem is resolved or until you have reached the end of the troubleshooting path.
   
   Note You can click Back at any time to repeat the last step, or you can click Start Over to start the Sound Troubleshooter again.

Determine whether you can now hear sound. If you can hear sound, the issue is resolved. If you cannot hear sound, try method 3.

Method 3: Update your Media Player software

If the sound problem that you are experiencing occurs when you use a media player such as Microsoft Windows Media Player, try updating your media player software. To obtain the latest version of the Windows Media Player, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Determine whether you can now hear sound. If you can hear sound, the issue is resolved. If you cannot hear sound, try method 4.

Method 4: Update sound drivers

Out-of-date sound drivers may cause sound problems. Check whether an updated sound driver is available. You can use Microsoft Update to help you determine your current sound driver and if an update is available. Then contact the sound driver hardware or the computer manufacturer to request an updated sound driver.

To find out whether applicable driver updates are available, visit the following Microsoft Windows Update Web site: If the sound driver is out of date, follow these steps to find the name and provider of your sound driver:

1. Click Start and then click Run.
2. Type dxdiag in the Open box, and then click OK.
3. Click the Sound tab.
4. Under Device, look for Name, and under Driver, look for Provider.
5. Click Exit.

Contact the manufacturer of the sound driver to request an updated sound driver. For information about how to contact the manufacturer of your sound card, click the appropriate article number in the following list to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

If these methods did not work for you, you can use the Microsoft Customer Support Services Web site to find other solutions to your problem. Some services that the Microsoft Customer Support Services Web sites provide include the following:

• Searchable Knowledge Base (http://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1) : Search technical support information and self-help tools for Microsoft products.
• Frequently Asked Questions (http://support.microsoft.com/gp/selecthub?sd=gn) : View product-specific frequently asked questions and support highlights.
• Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups (http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/default.mspx) : Contact counterparts, peers, and Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs).
• Other Support Options (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=csshome) : Use the Web to ask a question, contact Microsoft Customer Support Services, or provide feedback.

If you continue to have sound problems, you might want to contact Support:

For more information about how to troubleshoot sound issues in Windows XP, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
For help with sound problems in Windows, visit the following Microsoft web page:http://support.microsoft.com/gp/troubleshoot_audio_windows (http://support.microsoft.com/gp/troubleshoot_audio_windows)