Fix: Google Chrome Sound not Working

The audio in the Chrome browser may not work due to an outdated version of Windows. Also, we cannot ignore a corrupt sound driver. Some conflicting browser extensions can also stop Chrome from playing the audio. There is no set pattern of how and when this error happens to a user. In some cases, some users were able to play the audio for a short period after restarting Chrome before the issue emerged again. Also, there are reported cases when a user encounters the error while pausing or resuming the audio.

Before proceeding with the solutions to fix the sound problem in Chrome, try to play audio from another website. Do not forget to check if audio is working fine in other applications. Make sure to check the problematic website in another browser.  Also, if speakers are not playing the audio, then check if audio is working fine with headphones.

Solution 1: Unmute the Site in Google Chrome

Google has included a new feature in its latest versions which lets users mute a specific website in the Chrome browser. If you have muted the site in any of the tabs, then no audio will be played when that particular website is opened. In this case, unmuting the site may solve the issue.

1. Launch Google Chrome.
2. Open the problematic site and right-click on its tab. Now in the menu shown, click on the Unmute site.

   

3. Then check if the sound problem of Chrome is solved.

Solution 2: Restart Windows Audio Endpoint Builder Service

Along with your sound hardware and drivers, a Windows service i.e. Windows Audio Endpoint Builder Service is responsible for managing the audio on your computer. If this service is stuck in the operation then it can stop Chrome from playing the audio. In this case, a simple restart of the service may reboot the configuration of the service and thus solve the problem.

1. Exit Chrome and kill all its running processes through the Task Manager.
2. Then press Windows + R keys, type Services.msc, and then press the Enter button.

   

3. Now scroll down till you find the Windows Audio Endpoint Builder Service.
4. Then right-click on the service and in the context menu shown, click on Restart.
5. Then click on Yes to confirm the restart of the service.

   

6. After the service has restarted, launch Chrome and check if audio is operating fine in Chrome.

Solution 3: Enable Chrome Audio in Volume Mixer

The volume mixer is the central hub of all sound-related settings of your system. To play audio in Chrome (like other applications), the volume for Chrome must be enabled in the Volume Mixer of the Windows. If it is disabled, then that could be the root cause of the current Chrome error. Given the conditions, enabling volume for Chrome in the Volume Mixer may solve the issue.

1. Launch Chrome and then play audio on a website e.g. YouTube.
2. Now, while keep playing the audio, right-click on the volume icon in the System Tray, and then in the menu shown, click on Open Volume Mixer.

   

3. Now, enable volume (or unmute) for Chrome and check if audio has started to play in Chrome.

   

Solution 4: Change the Default Audio Output Device of Chrome

If there are more than one audio output devices installed in your system, and Chrome is configured to route audio to an output device which is currently unavailable, then you will not be able to hear any audio in Chrome i.e. Chrome was routing audio to the 2^nd screen with speakers and you have unplugged that screen, then you may not hear audio from your primary audio output device.

1. Launch Chrome and play audio on a website like YouTube.
2. While keeping that audio played, right-click on the Volume icon in the system tray and then in the menu shown, click on Open Sound Settings.

   

3. Now, click on the dropdown under the Choose Your Output Device, and select the proper output device.
4. Then, make sure the Master Volume is not set to zero.

   

5. Now scroll down till the end and under Advanced Sound Options, click on App Volume and Device Preferences.

   

6. Then for Google Chrome, click on the dropdown of Output and make sure that proper Output Device is selected.

   

7. Now check if audio is working fine in Chrome.

Solution 5: Disable Audio Sandbox Feature of Chrome

Google is continuously adding new security features to Chrome. To safeguard the critical memory functions, recent versions of Chrome are equipped to route audio through the sandbox. This can be the root cause of the issue in an enterprise environment like Citrix environment. In this case, disabling the Audio Sandbox may solve the issue.

1. Exit Chrome.
2. Now right-click on the shortcut of Chrome and click on Properties.

   

3. Then click on the Shortcut tab and then in the Target box add one of the following lines at the end of the path:

--disable-features=AudioServiceSandbox 
--disable-features=AudioServiceOutOfProcess

4. Now click on Apply and then Ok.

   

5. Then launch Chrome through that shortcut and check if it is clear of the audio error.

Solution 6: Reinstall the Audio Driver of Your System

The sound driver is responsible for nearly all the sounds played in your system. If it is corrupt or misconfigured, then it could be the root cause of the problem. In this case, uninstalling and then reinstalling the sound driver may solve the issue.

1. Exit Chrome.
2. Now right-click on the Windows button and then click on Device Manager.

   

3. Then expand Sound, Video, and Audio Game Controllers.
4. Then right-click on your audio device and then click on Uninstall Device.

   

5. Again, click on Uninstall when the prompt comes. Now follow the prompts on your screen to complete the uninstallation process.
6. Then restart your system.
7. Now, the driver should be installed automatically, if not, then open Device Manager and click on Scan for Hardware Changes in the Action menu. You can also download the updated driver from the manufacturer’s website as well.

   

8. After updating the driver, launch Chrome and check if it is playing audio fine.

Solution 7: Disable Chrome Extensions

Extensions are used to enhance the functionality of a browser. There are also extensions that enhance the audio experience of a user. If any of the extensions is interfering with the operation of the website, then it can be the root cause of the current Chrome problem. In this case, either disabling extensions for Chrome or enabling sound if any audio enhancing extension is disabling it can solve the problem e.g. Chrome Toolbox.

1. Launch Chrome and click on three vertical dots near the top right corner of the window and in the menu shown, click on More Tools.
2. Then in the sub-menu, click on Extensions.

   

3. Now disable every extension thereby toggling the switch to disable. You can opt to use the Incognito mode of Chrome but disabling extensions is recommended.

   

4. Then open the problematic site and check if audio has started to play.

Solution 8: Update Your System’s Drivers and Windows

Windows OS and system drivers are continuously updated to improve performance and cater to new technology developments. Also, known bugs are patched in the newer updates to make the OS more stable. If you are using an older version of the OS/drivers, then you may encounter the current Chrome error. In this scenario, updating the Windows and System drivers may solve the issue.

1. Exit Chrome and kill all its running processes through the Task Manager.
2. Manually update Windows and Update your system drivers. Also, it will be a good idea to check your system’s manufacturer for the latest version of your system’s drivers.
3. After updating, restart your system.
4. Upon restart, launch Chrome and check if it is clear of the error.

Solution 9: Use Chrome Canary Channel

Known bugs are firstly patched in the developer’s version of the Chrome i.e. Canary Channel. If there is a bug causing the current audio issue in Chrome, then most probably it has already been patched in the Canary release of Chrome.

1. Download and install Chrome Canary channel.
2. Then launch Chrome Canary build and check if audio is playing fine.

Solution 10: Reset or Reinstall Windows

If nothing has helped you so far, then most probably the issue is caused by a corrupt Windows installation. In this case, resetting the Windows or clean installation of Windows may solve the problem. But it will be a good idea to uninstall and reinstall Chrome before reinstalling Windows. Moreover, do not forget to backup your data before resetting or reinstalling Windows.