If the sound works perfectly through your headphones but not on your Lenovo laptop’s built-in speakers, you’re not alone. This is a common issue that can stem from incorrect settings, driver problems, or even hardware faults. The good news? You can resolve it quickly with a few troubleshooting steps.
Why Is the Sound Not Working on Your Lenovo Laptop Speakers?
There could be several reasons behind this issue. Here are the most common ones:
- Audio Settings Misconfiguration: Your system might be routing sound only to headphones.
- Driver Issues: Outdated or faulty audio drivers can disrupt sound output.
- Hardware Problems: Speaker damage or loose internal connections could cause the issue.
- Temporary Glitch: A minor software bug might be causing the speakers to stop working.
How To Fix Lenovo Laptop sound not working but headphones are
Check Volume and Mute Settings
- Click on the speaker icon in the taskbar.
- Ensure the volume is turned up and the speakers are not muted.
Restart Your Laptop
- A quick restart can resolve temporary software glitches affecting your speakers.
Disconnect Headphones
- Remove any headphones or external speakers connected to your laptop.
- Play audio to check if the built-in speakers are working.
Test with Another Audio File
- Play audio from different sources (YouTube, music files, or apps) to rule out app-specific issues.
Check Your Audio Output Settings
Sometimes, your system might default to headphones even after you unplug them. Here’s how to fix this:
- Right-click on the speaker icon in the taskbar.
- Select Sounds and go to the Playback tab.
- Check the list of playback devices.
- Ensure your laptop’s speakers are set as the default device.
- If they’re not visible, right-click anywhere in the list and select Show Disabled Devices.
- Enable the speakers and set them as default.
- Update or Reinstall Audio Drivers
Update Audio Drivers
- Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
- Expand the Sound, Video, and Game Controllers section.
- Right-click your audio device (e.g., Realtek High Definition Audio) and select Update driver.
- Choose Search automatically for drivers and follow the prompts.
Reinstall Audio Drivers
- In Device Manager, right-click on your audio device and choose Uninstall device.
- Restart your laptop.
- Windows will automatically reinstall the audio drivers.
Disable Audio Enhancements
Audio enhancements might cause conflicts, resulting in speaker issues. To disable them:
- Right-click the speaker icon and select Sounds.
- In the Playback tab, click your speakers and select Properties.
- Go to the Enhancements tab.
- Check the box for Disable all enhancements.
- Click Apply and OK.
Run the Windows Troubleshooter
Windows has a built-in troubleshooter that can detect and fix audio problems:
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Navigate to System > Sound.
- Scroll down and select Troubleshoot under Output.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to resolve the issue.
Change the Default Format
- Open Sound Settings by right-clicking the speaker icon.
- Select your speakers, click Properties, and go to the Advanced tab.
- Change the sample rate (e.g., 24-bit, 44100 Hz) and test the audio.
Perform a System Restore
If the sound issue started after a recent update or installation, try rolling back your system:
- Type System Restore in the search bar and select Create a Restore Point.
- Click System Restore and follow the steps.
- Choose a restore point from when your speakers were working.