Chromebook No Sound

Yazar: Jacob Mehnert

Before undertaking elaborate repair steps, try some common issues to check before going deeper into the repair process.

Check to see if you have any External Audio Connections: If you're trying to use your device's internal speakers, then ensure you have no additional audio connections connected to your device. This includes any headphones, speakers, or USB headsets.
Ensure that your audio device is turned on and has power. Some speakers might require more power than what can be given through the built-in headphone jack. This means a power source is needed for the speaker to function normally. If you are using a speaker that needs to be plugged in, then make sure that the speaker is powered on or is connected to power. Alternatively, if you use a Bluetooth speaker with a battery, you will want to ensure that your speaker is charged.
Check your device's Volume and Mute Settings. Ensure that the program or website you use is not muted or that the volume is low. You should also ensure the volume on your Chromebook is turned up and not muted. Look for the volume icon in the system tray, adjust the volume level, and ensure that the mute option is not enabled.
Try Headphones or External Speakers. If you have external speakers or headphones, connect them to your Chromebook to check if the issue is related to the internal speakers.
Restart Your Chromebook. Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve sound issues. Restart your Chromebook and check if the sound is working afterward.

If you frequently connect your Chromebook to an external speaker, there may be an issue with how your Chromebook connects to your speaker or a problem with the speaker itself. You can follow these tips to test the connection.

Check your device's sound output. You can check if your device uses the correct audio output by clicking the taskbar where the time is displayed and clicking the left-pointing arrow next to your audio slider to display the Audio settings menu. Once there, you will see a section of Audio Outputs usable for your device. Once there, ensure that the correct audio output is selected.
Repair your Bluetooth Speakers or Headphones. If you use a set of Bluetooth headphones or a Bluetooth speaker, you can attempt to repair your Bluetooth headphones. You can check your device's Bluetooth settings by clicking the taskbar and toggling the Bluetooth Icon. Click the word 'Bluetooth' underneath the Bluetooth icon to get a list of Bluetooth devices ready to be paired, and select your Bluetooth device.

Some websites and programs have dedicated audio controls, allowing users to change the outputted audio from the application.

Make sure the volume of the program is turned up. Look at settings that would allow you to adjust the application's audio.
Check if the tab has been muted. Chrome allows the user to mute the sound coming from a tabbed webpage. If the tab is muted, sound will not play from that tab. You can unmute a tab by clicking the speaker icon that is displayed within the tab.
Clear your browser's cached data. Open the Chrome browser and click the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner, then go to Settings > Privacy and Security> Clear browsing data.

ChromeOS might be experiencing issues with the operating system that might be causing problems with your audio.

Ensure that your Chromebook's operating system is up to date. Go to Settings > About Chrome OS > Check for Updates. Install any available updates.
Recover your Operating System. If updating your device does not restore sound to your Chromebook, you can try to use a Recovery USB. You can create a recovery USB using the instructions here. This will factory reset your device and wipe any data on the device's internal storage, so be sure to move any data on the device to either an external USB storage device or to Google Drive.

If you're still experiencing issues with your audio, there might be a problem with the internal speakers or their connection. Accessing the speakers will vary depending on your Chromebook, but you will generally want to look for the following.

Remove any debris or liquid damage that would restrict the movement of the speakers. Laptop speakers produce sound by causing a thin diaphragm to vibrate and disrupt the air around it to form the intended sound. If this diaphragm's movement is restricted, it won't produce sound.
Ensure that the internal speaker is correctly connected to the logic board. Follow the connection of your speaker to where it relates to the logic board. If this connection is not seated correctly, then no sound will play from the speakers.
Look for any visible damage that would prevent the speaker from working. If the speaker has become damaged, then there is a good chance that you will need to replace the speaker.
Perform a thorough visual inspection of the motherboard for any signs of burns or damaged components. If you observe any visible damage, such as burns or parts that appear to be physically damaged, the motherboard likely needs to be replaced.