How to play sound externally from computer
When using a computer on a daily basis, external sound is a common requirement. Whether you are watching videos, listening to music, or conducting video conferencing, the computer needs to be able to output sound normally. This article will introduce in detail several methods of playing sound externally from the computer, and provide structured data to help users solve the problem quickly.
1. Check the hardware connection

First, make sure your computer speakers or headphones are connected properly. The following are common hardware connection problems and solutions:
| question | Solution |
|---|---|
| Speaker not connected | Check whether the speaker power and audio cables are plugged in tightly |
| Headphone jack loose | Re-plug and unplug the headphones to ensure good contact |
| External device does not respond | Try changing the USB interface or audio cable |
2. Adjust system sound settings
If the hardware connection is normal but the sound still cannot be played externally, there may be a problem with the system settings. Here are the setup steps for Windows and macOS systems:
| system | Operation steps |
|---|---|
| Windows | 1. Right-click the taskbar volume icon 2. Select "Open sound settings" 3. Check if the output device is a speaker |
| macOS | 1. Click the Apple icon in the upper left corner 2. Select "System Preferences" 3. Enter the "Sound" option and select the output device |
3. Update or reinstall the sound card driver
Sound card driver problems may also cause the computer to be unable to play sound externally. Here are the solutions to driver issues:
| Operation | steps |
|---|---|
| Update driver | 1. Open Device Manager 2. Find "Sound, video and game controllers" 3. Right-click the sound card device and select "Update Driver" |
| Reinstall the driver | 1. Uninstall the current sound card driver 2. After restarting the computer, the system will automatically install the driver. |
4. Check application sound settings
Some applications may have separate volume controls, here's how to check the sound settings for common applications:
| application | Set path |
|---|---|
| Browser | Check whether the web page is muted and whether the tab page has a mute icon |
| video player | Check to see if the player volume slider is turned all the way down |
| Communication software | Enter the software settings and check the audio output device |
5. Other common problems and solutions
If none of the above methods work, it may be caused by other system problems. You can try the following:
| question | Solution |
|---|---|
| System mute | Check whether the system volume is muted or turned down to the minimum |
| Audio service not started | Restart the Windows Audio service in service management |
| Hardware failure | Try connecting to other audio devices to test |
Summary
The computer's inability to play sound may be caused by a variety of reasons, ranging from hardware connections to software settings that need to be investigated one by one. This article provides a structured problem-solving method, and users can quickly locate the problem according to the steps in the table. If the problem persists, it is recommended to contact professional technicians or computer after-sales service.
Most sound problems can be solved through the above methods. Keeping the system and drivers updated and checking hardware connections regularly can effectively avoid similar problems from happening.
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