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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 Help (Article 6690)
Tagged: windows audio, windows media player
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Comments

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?

Posted by: Meaghan at August 18, 2006 10:29 AM

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?

Posted by: Kenny Anchundia at February 21, 2007 2:43 PM

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!

Posted by: kyle at March 27, 2007 3:29 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.

Posted by: Bridget Neal at June 3, 2007 8:12 AM

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?

Posted by: Eleanor at December 6, 2007 1:48 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.

Posted by: Travis30384 at December 18, 2007 6:40 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?

Posted by: Gaone at December 24, 2007 10:01 PM

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

Posted by: dwight bedminster at April 16, 2008 6:14 PM

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

Posted by: dante at June 4, 2008 6:00 AM

I have a lot to say, but ...

I have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but most of all I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a chai!

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