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No Output Devices Found in Windows 11: How to Fix it

Make sure you insert the headphones or speakers to the right audio port on your PC

4 min. read

Updated onAugust 21, 2024

updated onAugust 21, 2024

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To fix various driver issues on your PC, you will need a dedicated tool to find the freshest and the original drivers. You can use PC HelpSoft Driver Updater to do it in 3 easy steps:

The No output devices found in Windows 11 error arises when there’s issue with your sound card. When that issue occurs, the taskbar’s sound icon has a red x. Outdated drivers or unsigned drivers can often cause this issue. Your audio settings and missing Windows updates can contribute to this error.

Before we try the slightly more complex solutions here, make sure you have the latest updates installed and restart your PC. Also, check if your headphones are connected properly to the right audio port (you can easily mistake the mic and out ports).

How do I fix No output devices found in Windows 11?

1. Reinstall the audio driver

If Windows doesn’t identify the device after the restart, go to theActionmenu, and selectScan for hardware changes.

2. Reset the audio controller

If simply reinstalling the audio controller doesn’t work, you will have to reset the audio controller. To do that, first, uninstall theHigh Definition Audio Devicefrom theDevice Manager.

Once done, shut down the PC, remove the power cable, and then hold the power button for at least 60 seconds. After that, wait another 10 minutes or so, and restart the computer after plugging in the power cable.

This may seem trivial but it often does the tick whenthere is a problem with your audio device.

3. Update the sound driver

PressWindows+Xto open thePower Usermenu.
SelectDevice Managerfrom the list.
Double-click the category forSound, video, and game controllers.
Then right-click your PC’s sound device, such asHigh Definition Audio Device, and selectUpdate driver.
Click theSearch automatically for driversoption.
If selecting that option doesn’t install a new driver, select theSearch for updated drivers on Windows Updateoption.
Next, press theCheck for updatesbutton on theWindows Updatetab that opens.
Select to download and install available updates.
In addition, click onAdvanced options, thenOptional updates.
Select the checkboxes for optional driver updates, and then onDownload & install.

Some users prefer to update drivers with third-party driver updater software, as it is a much faster solution. This third-party driver updater will scan your PC and display what devices on it need new drivers.

If your sound device is among them, you can select to download and install the latest driver for it within the software.

⇒Get PC HelpSoft Driver Updater

4. Disable Driver Signature Enforcement

This is the quickest way, though you can alsodisable Driver Signature Enforcementafterbooting Windows in Recovery Mode. In case you are running theHomeedition of Windows 11, you will have to manuallyinstall theLocal Group Policy Editor.

5. Change Mono audio settings

If no output devices are found in Windows 11,change theMono audiosettingand verify if that fixes the problem.

6. Uninstall the last Windows Update

If no output devices were found after Windows 11 update, it could be a bug in the last installed version of the OS. And the simplest solution here would be to uninstall that version. Once done, make sure todisable the automatic installation of Windows updates.

Now, all you have to do is wait for a newer version to be released, install it, and again enable automatic updates.

There might also be more ways to fix theNo audio output deviceinstalledissue. Some solutions are common here and whenWindows can’t find an audio device. So, you may try those as well.

Once you’ve managed to fix this issue, don’t miss our guide on how tochange output device on Windows 11.

Many also reported thatWindows 11 keeps changing audio output, but we have a guide that addresses that issue.

Users who have fixed this sound error with different methods are welcome to share their alternative resolutions below.

No Output Devices Found in Windows 11: How to Fix it#

How do I fix No output devices found in Windows 11?#

1. Reinstall the audio driver#

2. Reset the audio controller#

3. Update the sound driver#

4. Disable Driver Signature Enforcement#

5. Change Mono audio settings#

6. Uninstall the last Windows Update#