Why don't I hear music from Windows Media Player?

I don't get it. The audio on my Windows PC seems to be just fine, I can hear system beeps, etc., but when I use Windows Media Player, I can't hear any of the music that's being played, regardless of how I adjust the volume in the player up or down. What's going on?

Dave's Answer:

I know what's happening with your computer because I've seen it happen on my own Windows XP PC more than once. The problem is that there isn't a single volume control for everything but rather a set of different volume controls - and mute buttons - for different types of audio output.

To fix your problem, go to Start --> Settings --> Control Panels --> Sounds and Audio Devices Properties.

It looks like this:

Windows XP: Sounds and Audio Devices Properties

Note here that I have the mute button checked. If you have the same, you should definitely uncheck it. You might check your speaker volume here, but I'm willing to bet that it's not the problem you're facing (otherwise you wouldn't hear any beeps!)

Click on the "Audio" tab along the top to get to the audio application output settings. That'll look like this:

Windows XP: Sounds and Audio Devices: Audio Tab

The area of interest is labeled "Sound playback". Make sure that the device selected is correct (it's probably the name of your sound card, not your speakers, as mine is a Realtek sound card) then click on the "Volume..." button:

Finally, the master Volume Control on the left side is what's most likely affecting the playback of audio in Windows Media Player. Make sure it's not muted (mine is in the screenshot, notice) then move the slider up or down just a bit.

If you hear the system beep or other audio feedback, you're good to go and Windows Media Player should work great. If you don't, go back and check the various volume controls to ensure nothing's muted and all the volumes are at an audible level.

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Categorized: Windows PC Help (Article 6690, Written by Dave Taylor)
Tagged: windows audio, windows media player
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Reader Comments To Date: 34

Meaghan said, on August 18, 2006 10:29 AM:

What if I'm having the opposite problem? I can only hear sound through Windows Media Player? No start up or shut down sounds....and my volume icon in my task bar dissappeared! Any ideas, Dave?

Kenny Anchundia said, on February 21, 2007 2:43 PM:

When I want to listen music on my computer (ITunes), or play a cd on Windows Media player, the tracks are there, but the music don't want to play. It stays on 0:00 what could I do to get my vloume back?

kyle said, on March 27, 2007 3:29 AM:

Mine's a little more strange. Speakers are fine for every program but on this one, the left speaker doesn't work. The right one is fine. I thought it may be the version I had but I just downloaded version 11 and same thing! Very wierd!

Bridget Neal said, on June 3, 2007 8:12 AM:

I have checked the my volume settings in the control panel their iss no problem nothings muted. Their is still no sound coming form the windows media. I can hear music form the realplayer. Can u plaease help i dont know what to do its like it worked one day an went out.

Eleanor said, on December 6, 2007 1:48 PM:

I'm using Vista and cannot get any sound when playing DVDs, also I cannnot find the "Sounds and Audio Device Properties" so I assume that it's called something else in Vista. How do I go about finding it?

Travis30384 said, on December 18, 2007 6:40 PM:

I have a vista laptop and i had a similar problem. I couldn't hear wmp music with headphones/laptop speakers, so i remembered i was messing with the headphones settings. Make sure that the settings are at default, eg for headphones, 2 channel, 16 bit, 48000 hz.

Gaone said, on December 24, 2007 10:01 PM:

i'm using windows XP, and recently , i can't hear any sound from anything associated with internet explorer. i can't hear sound from videos watched online and also there is no sound made when i log off or log on to my computer. but i can hear sound when i use windows media player. what is wrong?

dwight bedminster said, on April 16, 2008 6:14 PM:

i uninstalled my volume on my media player 11 could you please help me reinstall my volume?

dante said, on June 4, 2008 6:00 AM:

Thx for the help!!!! I had the same problem and it works great now..!!ty

Donna Moore said, on August 4, 2008 3:16 PM:

My name is Donna Moore. There is no audio at all on my media player. I am very angry and frustrated. I have done and check everything. I really would appreciate your help Sincerely, Donna Moore

kris said, on October 16, 2008 7:57 PM:

My problem is master volume can't control other volume. When I checked mute at master volume, it should mute all sound. But I still hear from wave sound which play from windows media player or other. How master volume can control all sound sourde.
I use compaq laptop with windows XP.

nicole said, on November 7, 2008 3:31 PM:

UMMM my volume goes down on the windows media player by itslef!!! :( i have no clue how to fix it! please, PLEASE HELP!

Affia James said, on January 17, 2009 4:13 PM:

I can hear system beeps only, no other sounds!!When I checked sounds and devices in the control panel, it said no device found?????Please HELP, I am using an HP compaq 6730s(notebook).

Brad said, on February 16, 2009 7:20 AM:

yeah...or u can jus goto (on your WM player), PLAY, VOLUME, UP -F10. haha

arta said, on March 13, 2009 11:08 AM:

I don't know where is the problem with my computer. Widndows media player works, but i can't hear the music. When i sign in msn, i can't hear anything when someone writes or when someone gets online. Also, when i open the videos on youtube, i can watch them, but i don't hear the voice.
Can anybody help me ?

Charles Shults said, on March 25, 2009 10:58 AM:

Really odd problem here- HP desktop systenm, XP, and it just started doing this. At the end of any CD track, the CD volume slider snaps to zero level. You must manually reset the volume at the end of each and every track. It did not used to do this, I checked for malware, nothing obvious. What now?

angelo rodelas said, on May 17, 2009 11:52 PM:

i and Bridget Neal have the same, as in exactly the same situtation! my pc is working perfectly. i can watch youtube, etc and use other media player without any problem. its only with the widows media player where i can't hear any sounds, nothing at all!

I have tried to reinstall a new one, or update it but nothing happes! please help! huhuhuhu :C

angelo rodelas said, on May 17, 2009 11:59 PM:

hey, i found it, its working!
try this....

open media player, go to tools-->option
select device tabs, then choose speakers, then click properties. in audio device to use dropdown, select your sound device driver, in my case Realtek AC97 Audio!!
then apply, apply, ok!

hope it works!thnks enwey!

Lisa Porteses said, on May 20, 2009 9:53 PM:

Hi, I am having the same problem... My sounds work fine on my laptop for video watching and music, unless I use my windows media player... I can watch the dvd, but I am not getting any sound... Even stranger, is that the same thing is happening on my Samsung Blackjack2 cell phone! All my sounds are fine, but anything that gets played through Windows Media Player, I can't hear. I downloaded the YouTube application today and it plays through Windows Media, so I can't hear anything... Has anyone figured out this problem yet? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Lisa Porteses said, on May 20, 2009 10:07 PM:

Actually, I am mistaken. The audio works for audio files, it only doesn't play for videos. Just tried an audio file and it works fine. Any ideas?

Ishmael said, on May 30, 2009 6:59 PM:

When I Go To Myspace And Go To My Profile I Can't Hear My Music? As A Matter Of Fact, Nobody's Music Plays? Can You Help Me?

james said, on June 2, 2009 4:52 AM:

Hi... ahhm, i have question my computer says audio file corrupted! and i cant hear a sound to! my speaker are ok! but i can't hear asound!
media player canplay but no sounds at all! can you pls. help me about this.

sruthy said, on June 27, 2009 5:16 AM:

i can't listen to music online?

Peter said, on July 9, 2009 3:03 AM:

Hi, I have just bought a new computer installed with Vista Home Edition. When playing the sample music with Media Player, there is no sound. No problem with Power Cinema. I ripped a CD using media player and tested my efforts after it had finished. No problem with sound, but remove the CD from the player and try to play the CD from the list, no sound. Play the same CD using Power Cinema, no problem. What do I have to do to enable Media Player to play ripped CDs' or the sample music.
Cheers Peter

Liam Space said, on September 16, 2009 4:21 AM:

This is a problem...yet, but when i close my media player the music keeps playing..if it starts to become a problem, how do i fix it?

shyam said, on December 22, 2009 4:52 AM:

thx 4 dat

Hope said, on March 17, 2010 1:11 AM:

I need help. I have Vista and my laptop will show music playing, but there is no sound. I have checked to see if anything is muted, but nothing seems to be. I can hear system beeps, but that is all. HELP!!! Please. Thanks.

Lynwood Webber said, on April 10, 2010 8:19 AM:

i now cant play music recorded on my old computer, MS has enabled some songs but I still have several hundred unplayable. Most of the CD's i have given away. Is there a way i can enable the remainder of the songs.

eskinder said, on April 8, 2011 8:02 AM:

my Volume control in my computer does not work or diselect so how can i arrange sound or how can i increase or decrease the sound

Tshepang Molefe said, on September 8, 2011 1:29 AM:

I had this problem for the past 4 days.I managed to solve it today because of your detailed help.Thank you so much.

Sara White said, on October 13, 2011 7:36 AM:

Thanks, your page fixed my problem.

brumez said, on November 2, 2011 6:24 AM:

ok guys was looking for a solution to my prob of wmplayer only playing sound out of right speaker.
I,ve now figured out the problem all i did was go into the n ow playing menu and click on the equalizer turn it to off then on then off again and bang both speakers work fine now in stereo
hope this helps someone cheers :)

Sianne Petrisor said, on November 14, 2011 5:40 PM:

Sooo, my computer is a dell desktop, and I'm running windows XP, and randomly I tried to open itunes and it gives a message that says "Itunes has detected a problem with your audio configuration. Audio/Video may not operate properly." And I've been looking for solutions, and when I go to the device manager my speakers aren't there and when I go to Control Panel > Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices > Sounds and Audio Devices, I click on the Audio tab and it says there is no playback device. Helppppp ):

dentist said, on February 17, 2012 7:08 AM:

a certain CD plays fine in my car stereo but doesnt play in any other music system and laptop.

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

Why don't I hear music from Windows Media Player?

Reader Comments To Date: 34

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

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