Google Chrome No Sound in Windows 11: How to fix? (10 fixes)

It is common for users to report that no sound is played through the Google Chrome browser. The reason for this varies. For example, it may be a setting in the Chrome browser if no sound is available only in the Chrome browser. If no sound plays on your Windows 11 computer, it may not be because of the Chrome browser but because of specific settings in Windows 11.

In this guide, I help go through several steps to identify why no sound is playing in the Chrome browser. These steps can be performed by anyone regardless of experience.

Google Chrome No Sound in Windows 11

If you are experiencing no sound in Google Chrome, there are several troubleshooting steps you can try to identify and resolve the issue. Below are some of the standard fixes:

Fix 1: Check Sound Settings in Google Chrome

The sound in Google Chrome may have been accidentally muted. Enable the option so that sites can play sound. Here is how:

1. Click on the three dots menu icon in the top-right corner of the Chrome browser.
2. Click on ‘Settings’ from the dropdown menu.
3. On the left, click the ‘Privacy and security’ section, and click ‘Site settings’ to display more options.
4. Scroll down and click on ‘Additional content settings.’
5. Click on ‘Sound’ from the site settings menu.
6. Ensure the toggle next to ‘Sites can play sound’ is turned on.
7. Also, check if any websites are listed in the ‘Not allowed to play sound’ section and remove them by clicking the three vertical dots and clicking on ‘Remove.’

Fix 2: Disable extensions

Extensions and plugins can sometimes interfere with the audio settings on Google Chrome. If you suspect an extension or plugin is causing trouble with the sound, you can try disabling it to see if that solves the problem.

To disable an extension on Google Chrome, follow these steps:

1. Open Google Chrome and click on the three vertical dots at the top right corner of the browser.
2. Select “Manage extensions,” then “Extensions.”
3. Find the extension or plugin you wish to disable and toggle the switch next to the off position.
4. Restart Chrome and check if the images are now loading correctly.

If disabling the extension does not resolve the issue, try deleting it. Click the “Remove” button next to the extension.

Suppose you have many extensions and plugins installed. You may need trial and error to determine which is causing the sound issue. Alternatively, you can try disabling them all simultaneously to see if that resolves the problem.

Related read: Pay attention to this when installing a Google Chrome extension.

Fix 3: Tab muted?

Make sure that you didn’t mute any tabs. Google Chrome allows muting a site by right-clicking a tab and selecting ‘Mute site’. Disable it to make sure the tab is not muted.

1. Right-click on a tab title.
2. Click on ‘Unmute site’.
3. Repeat for all open tabs.

Fix 4: Verify System Sound Settings

If the volume settings in Google Chrome are correct, the issue may be with your system’s sound settings.

Here is how to check and adjust sound settings on Windows 11:

1. Right-click on the speaker icon in the bottom-right corner of the taskbar and select ‘Open volume mixer’.
2. Under the ‘System’ section, select your desired output device and make sure the volume is turned up.
3. Next, check in the ‘Apps’ section if the volume for Google Chrome is turned up.

If you’re using macOS, follow these steps:

1. Click the Apple menu and select “System Preferences.”
2. Click “Sound.”
3. Under “Output,” select your desired output device and make sure the volume is turned up.
4. Under “Input,” select your desired input device and make sure the volume is turned up.

Fix 5: Reinstall the audio driver

Make sure the audio drivers in Windows are installed correctly. If you notice the sound doesn’t work at all in Windows 11, try this. Make sure to install the correct audio, do a search for your computer model of motherboard type, and download and install the audio drivers.

To update audio drivers:

• • Right-click the ‘Start’ button and select ‘Device Manager’ from the dropdown menu.
  • Expand the ‘Sound, video, and game controllers’ section.
  • Right-click on your audio device and select ‘Update Driver.’
  • Select ‘Search automatically for updated driver software’ and follow the prompts to install any available updates.

Fix 6: Update Google Chrome

Outdated software, including Google Chrome and audio drivers, can sometimes cause sound issues. To update them:

1. Open the Chrome browser and click the three dots menu icon in the top-right corner.
2. Select ‘Help’ from the dropdown menu.
3. Click on ‘About Google Chrome’ to check for and install any available updates.

After updating, restart your computer and try playing sound in Google Chrome again.

Fix 7: Clear Cache and Cookies

If the sound is not playing on Google Chrome, one possible solution is to clear the cache and cookies. The cache and cookies can accumulate and cause issues with the browser’s performance, leading to problems such as audio not working.

Clearing the cache and cookies can be done by following these simple steps:

1. Open Google Chrome and click on the three dots in the top right corner of the screen.
2. Select Settings from the drop-down menu.
3. On the left, click on the Privacy and Security settings and click on Clear browsing data.
4. In the Clear browsing data window, select the time range for which you want to clear data. For example, you can clear data from the past hour, day, week, or month. I advise you to remove all data by selecting “all time”.
5. Check the boxes for Cookies, other site data, and Cached images and files.
6. Click on Clear data.

Clearing the cache and cookies can help improve image loading on Google Chrome. However, it may also log you out of some websites, so have your login information handy.

Fix 8: Resetting Google Chrome Settings

If none of the previous solutions have resolved the ‘Google Chrome no sound’ issue, resetting Chrome settings to default could be the answer. This process will revert all browser settings to their original state, potentially eliminating any setting that could be causing the sound problem.

However, resetting Chrome settings will remove any bookmarks, history, and saved passwords. Therefore, it is essential to back up these items before proceeding with the resetting process. Follow these steps:

1. Open Chrome Settings by clicking on the three dots at the browser’s top-right corner and selecting “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
2. On the left, click on ‘Reset settings’.
3. Click on ‘Restore settings to their original defaults’.
4. Under the confirmation prompt, click on “Reset settings.”
5. Relaunch the Chrome browser and check if the sound problem has been resolved.

Additionally, if you have linked your Chrome account to other devices, repeat the above process on all connected devices to avoid synchronization issues.

Fix 9: Checking Hardware and External Devices

Another possible reason for the ‘Google Chrome no sound’ issue could be related to hardware problems or external devices connected to your system. It’s essential to check these possibilities to ensure sound playback is unaffected.

Ensure all your hardware speakers or headphones are correctly connected and powered on. You may want to test them with another device to ensure they function correctly.

If you have any external devices connected to your system, such as a webcam or microphone, try disconnecting them temporarily and see if that solves the issue. Sometimes these devices can interfere with sound playback in Google Chrome.

Fix 10: Seeking Support from Google Chrome Community

If none of the solutions in this article have resolved your ‘Google Chrome no sound’ issue, it may be time to seek additional support from the Google Chrome community.

The Google Chrome Help Center is a starting point for assistance with Google Chrome. It is filled with asked questions and troubleshooting guides that can provide valuable information. Additionally, you can explore the Chromebook Central community forum, where users and experts offer advice and solutions for various Google Chrome related issues.

When seeking support from the community, it’s essential to provide information about your audio problem. Be sure to include details, like your Windows 11 operating system, Google Chrome version, and any error messages you may have encountered. This will enable users and experts to understand the issue at hand better and offer tailored solutions accordingly.

I hope this helped. Thank you for reading!

Learn more: How to install Silverlight in the Google Chrome browser.