Member Avatar for Roobyroo

I have a Dell Inspiron 8600 laptop, and a couple of weeks ago the speakers stopped working.

I have checked the volume settings and they're fine. In the Device Manager, I can't tell which of the entries would contain the driver for the speakers. Under "Sounds and Audio Devices", everything looks good except for a red circle with a line through it over "Device Volume".

Normally I would delete the driver and restart, but I'm not finding the driver. Any ideas?

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Quick expert summary that ties the replies together and gives a focused diagnostic path for an Inspiron where internal sound suddenly stopped working (original report from ). The usual culprits are: a software/mixer problem, the Windows audio service or driver, a jack-detection fault, or a failed speaker/wiring. The headphone-test mentioned by is the right first probe; the notes from and point at drivers and hardware, which are covered below with concrete steps.

A concise software checklist: open the Sounds / Audio Devices controls (mmsys.cpl) and use the Device Volume → Advanced (the Windows Volume/Mixer control) to confirm the correct mixer device is selected and nothing is muted. Use the Volume Control Options → Properties to show all playback controls and make sure Left/Right sliders aren’t muted. (learn.microsoft.com)

Check Windows audio services and the driver layer: verify Windows Audio (and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder / related services) are running via services.msc and set to Automatic, then restart them; if services are stopped the system won’t present usable playback devices. In Device Manager expand “Sound, video and game controllers,” look for errors, then uninstall the audio device (choose the option to remove driver software if present) and reboot so Windows attempts an automatic reinstall. If the driver is missing or corrupt, obtain the correct driver from the system vendor (Dell) or let Windows pick the generic driver. (sony.com)

If the audio device is not visible, use Device Manager → View → Show hidden devices and try Scan for hardware changes or “Add legacy hardware” to force the audio class back; obtain Hardware IDs from the device Properties → Details tab if manual driver hunting is needed. (learn.microsoft.com)

Physical checks and fallbacks: when headphones work but internal speakers don’t, the jack’s mechanical detect switch or the speaker wiring/connector is often at fault — try plugging/unplugging the jack several times, clear dust with compressed air, and check any vendor audio-manager jack options. If the speakers are truly dead or internal wiring is loose, the onboard speaker assembly can be reseated or replaced (power, battery removed first) or a USB sound adapter used as a painless workaround. (dell.com)

Cautions: avoid disassembly unless comfortable with laptop teardown (battery removed, static precautions) and prefer driver/service checks first.

Recommended Answers

All 7 Replies

Member Avatar for raybay

On the inspiron, if you over drive the speakers, they will burn out without you knowing. They are extremely cheap and terribly fragile. Just replace them. About $11 at Wal-Mart.

Member Avatar for Junyah

Did you get your speakers problem resolved yet? I'm sure that you plugged in headphones and check if they were working with your sound applications and you tested a cd and dvd in the computer.

We had this problem two weeks ago with one of my buddies computer. When my friend had a party over a his place .. the DJ borowwed the computer and messed around with it. My friend told me the sound hasn't worked in the computer since...

We looked a the computer and did the basic troubleshooting and tweaked the setting to no avail... we finally reaload the correct driver for the sound card .. so we thought ... we looked a the sound card and found out it was a "monster" we loaded that one on instead of the generic AC 97. and we got sound ... I tweaked the midi and choose the Roland GS wavetable ..and the music programs totally worked. If you the speakers are thrashed try to get some signal into them or just check them .. I've had the internal wires work themselves loose from the cone site and the magnet side... sometimes those can be glued or carefully soldered back back like the other guy said.. go to walmart or target for some cheap ones.

Member Avatar for jbennet

i blew the speakers in a thinkpad before. There so easy to do that

Member Avatar for 'Stein

One way to test whether or not its the speakers is by trying to plug in headphones. If you get sound, then you know its the speakers.

Member Avatar for Jannette

Hi,
My Dell laptop sound stopped working today.
What to do? I don't have speakers just buttons.
Laugh if you please. I can't see you. I'm fond of my computer which includes youtube.
Jannette

Member Avatar for Jannette

Sorry,
The mute was on. So everything OK. Thank you,
Jannette

Member Avatar for nhh

Hello,
The sound doesn't work on my mini Dell inspiron 910, however if I plug a header I can hear the sound. I wonder wether the speaker which doesn't work anymore or I miss some driver? May I have some help plzz?

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