YouTube is ranked the #1 most visited site globally, with 1 billion videos viewed per day.
Although it is an internet powerhouse, there are glitches or errors users often encounter, one of which is when there is no sound on YouTube.
It is almost pointless watching a video without sound, especially when a close caption isn’t available. So if your YouTube sound is not working, this guide is for you.
No Sound on YouTube | Top 16 Fixes
1. Check YouTube volume controls
The first solution is to ensure your YouTube playback screen isn’t on mute. Locate the volume icon often at the lower left of the playback screen and ensure it’s not marked with a slash which indicates that volume is muted.
Unmute it by clicking the volume icon or pressing the M key on your keyboard, then increase the sound by dragging the slider right.
2. Reconnect audio devices
Most times, the issue could be due to your audio devices, be it your headphones or Bluetooth speakers. If you listen with such devices, unplug your headphones from the headphones jack or disconnect the Bluetooth connection.
Plug back your headphones or reconnect your Bluetooth and check if the problem persists.
Also, you could completely unpair the Bluetooth speaker then pair them again from the Bluetooth window.
3. Turn off Bluetooth connection
First, check your Bluetooth connection; most devices have the Bluetooth icon on their system tray.
If you can’t find a connected device, turn off your Bluetooth device. If the unwanted device keeps reconnecting, go to Settings, select Devices, open the Bluetooth option, locate the device, click on it, then remove it.
To reconnect, first, switch off and turn on your Bluetooth device. Then use the ‘Add Bluetooth or other devices’ option from up top in the same Bluetooth settings.
4. Restart your device
Restarting a device has been the #1 go-to solution for many system problems. Ensure you close all active programs and save all progress before you restart your device.
5. Update your browser
It may seem insignificant, but an outdated browser could be why your YouTube volume is not working.
Updates don’t only change the app’s interface or add new features; they also fix bugs, glitches and make your browsers compatible with the latest tech available.
So, consider upgrading your browser.
6. Check for browser errors
Another culprit responsible for YouTube audio not working could be a faulty browser. If your browser stops working or develops an error with any installed extensions or plug-ins, it is likely to affect YouTube sound.
If you notice no sound on YouTube right after installing a new extension or plug-in, then the fault could be from it.
Restarting your browser and reopening the YouTube video should resolve this. If it doesn’t, troubleshoot your extensions.
Disable all extensions, then enable them one after another while simultaneously checking the YouTube video’s sound.
7. Close other running programs
Usually, only one app or program is allowed to use your audio driver.
Therefore, you should close all other running programs, especially multimedia apps like music and video players, games, video editors and much more.
Doing this makes your audio driver ready for use by YouTube only.
8. Check System Sound Plug-in
- Go to your Start menu and search for Change System Sound; select the available app. Alternatively, right-click on the sound icon on your System Tray, then select Sounds.
- From the Program Events list, click any event there that has a sound icon close to it. If you hear a sound, it means your system sound settings are okay.
If you hear no sound, try any of these.
- Adjust the device volume: Hover over the sound icon on your System tray. If there’s an X next to the volume icon or a red circle-slash next to the speaker icon, this means your system is on mute. Click the icon to re-enable the sound. Sometimes, a slider pops up, drag it up to both turn off the mute action and increase the system volume.
- Open Volume Mixer: Right-click over the sound icon, then select the Volume Mixer option. Drag the sliders to increase the sound. Go through the options there and increase the volume as you wish.
- Update sound drivers: An outdated sound driver won’t only lead to no audio on YouTube but would affect the whole system. To do that –
- Open your Start menu, then search for Device Manager.
- Click on the Sound, video and game controllers option. A drop-down list showing all your sound drivers opens.
- Right-click on your sound driver, then select the Update driver option.
- You can either Search automatically for the updated driver software or Browser your computer for driver software. When done, reboot your device.
- Re-enable sound drivers: Unknowingly, you may have disabled your sound drivers; follow these steps to re-enable them.
- Launch your Device Manager from the Win + X shortcut key menu.
- Click the Sound, video, and game controllers option to reveal your sound drivers.
- Right-click on your sound driver, then select the Enable option. If you meet only a disabled option, then your drivers are already enabled.
9. Change your browser
Consider accessing YouTube with a different browser. Your browser might be the reason why videos on YouTube have no sound.
If there’s no sound issue on the new browser, then your other browser was responsible.
In case you still need to use the previous browser, consider uninstalling it and then reinstalling.
10. Update Adobe Flash Player
Adobe Flash Player is commonly responsible for sound on videos in web browsers. A faulty or outdated Adobe Flash Player extension won’t only cause no sound on YouTube but would affect other sites and functionalities.
So, try streaming videos on other websites. If the problem persists, then Adobe Flash Player is responsible.
For the record, most popular browsers have decided to replace Adobe Flash Player with HTML 5. There’s even a strong message to uninstall it.
So, before you consider this as a solution, confirm that your browser supports it then proceed with an update. Ensure to scan your device for malware after installing Adobe Flash Player.
11. Use an Incognito tab
When browsing on incognito tabs, your browser doesn’t store data, cache or cookies. Your browser extensions don’t interfere; it is like starting on a clean slate.
Open an incognito tab then try accessing the YouTube video. If this resolves the problem, consider the next solution.
12. Clear cache files
The reason there is no sound on YouTube could be due to browser cookies and cache files; you can confirm this by trying the solution above.
Although these files are there to help, they often conflict with other browser functions and activities.
Clearing cookies and cache files differ with browsers. Also, clearing your cache and cookies may log you out of specific sites.
- Chrome: Click the menu button at the top right corner. Click on More tools, then select Clear browsing data. Alternatively, you can use the Ctrl + Shift + Del shortcut keys. While in, select a time range and clear accordingly.
- Firefox: Open the menu list from the top right corner, then select Settings. Go to the Privacy and Security panel, navigate to the Cookies and Site Data section, then click on Clear. Read the on-screen instructions, then proceed.
13. Troubleshoot audio
Windows Troubleshoot feature can help diagnose and solve the issue. If YouTube audio is not working, follow these steps to Troubleshoot it.
- Go to the Windows search feature, then type in Settings.
- Next, click on the Update & Security option.
- When in, select the Troubleshoot option from the left pane
- Go to the main screen (right pane), then locate and click on the Playing Audio option, then select Run the troubleshooter.
- Allow Troubleshoot to run, then follow all on-screen instructions. Often, the diagnostic is unique to each computer.
14. Temporarily Disable Security Software
Most security software get overzealous, resulting in unnecessary issues. Antivirus programs and most systems firewalls often meddle into Flash content which can cause no sound on YouTube.
This is often the case when security software makes use of real-time scanning features which in turn monitor and block third-party flash content.
To tackle this, go through your security program and configure it to allow third-party Flash content online. The steps vary with your security software.
15. Watch another video
Go through the comment section to be sure the problem isn’t unique to you. Also, try watching a different YouTube video.
This is unlikely, but a YouTube video might be faulty; the content creator must have uploaded a defective video.
If this is the case, you’ll have to wait it out or seek an alternative video.
16. Download the video
Having an offline copy of the video on your local storage could rectify the problem.
Make use of any YouTube downloaders, then try playing the video on your system’s media player. Note, most YouTube videos can only be downloaded for personal use only.
Conclusion
If you discover that there’s no sound on YouTube, this guide has proffered 15+ solutions to fix it.
First, check if your device or YouTube itself isn’t on mute. It would be best if you tried reconnecting your audio devices, updating your sound drivers or Adobe Flash Player.
Your browser could be faulty too. We hope we were able to help; share with us which solution worked for you!
