No Output Devices Found in Windows 11: How to Fix it
No matter what, you should update your sound driver
The No audio output device is installed in Windows 11 error arises when no output devices are found in Windows 11. When that issue occurs, the taskbar’s sound icon has a red x.
That icon also displays a No audio output device installed error message when you hover the cursor over it. As a consequence of that error, Windows 11 has no sound. Therefore, users need to fix this error for the sake of restoring audio on their PCs.
Why does my computer say no audio output device installed?
Here are the reasons why no output devices are found installed in Windows 11:
- Outdated or corrupt drivers – This is the most common reason behind the issue, and simply reinstalling or updating the driver should do the trick.
- Misconfigured settings – Certain audio settings are known to affect the way things work and cause problems with audio devices.
- Bugs in the installed version of the OS – If the problem started after an update, it’s likely a bug in the latest version.
- Using a driver not signed by Microsoft – Oftentimes, the issue arises when using a driver not digitally signed by Microsoft, and this, too, is easily fixable. But we recommend that you install only the verified drivers.
Users have reported numerous Windows 11 devices on which they encountered the No output devices found. Some of the most common are the following:
- No audio device is installed in Windows 11 (HP)- Updating the audio drivers will do the trick in this situation and many others.
- No audio output device is installed in Windows 11 (Dell) – You may plug in a wired audio device. Also, try reinstalling the driver for the problematic one.
- No audio device is installed in Lenovo – The faulty installation of an audio driver on the system is the root cause of this problem, which may be fixed by following our solutions.
Without further ado, let’s jump into the list of solutions specifically dedicated to the No output devices found in Windows 11. Follow along!
How do I fix No output devices found in Windows 11?
Before we try the slightly more complex solutions here, let’s first do a few quick checks:
- Restart the computer.
- Update the computer to the latest version of the OS.
- Make sure any third-party antivirus or firewall installed on the PC is disabled.
If these don’t work, these methods surely would.
1. Reinstall the audio driver
- Press Windows + S to open the Search menu, enter Device Manager in the text field, and click on the relevant search result.
- Double-click Sound, video, and game controllers to view the devices for that category.
- Next, right-click your PC’s sound device, and select Uninstall device.
- Click Uninstall in the confirmation prompt that appears.
- Also, look for a device with SST in its name under System devices, and reinstall it too.
- Once done, restart the computer, and Windows will automatically install the best driver for the device.
If no audio output device is installed, your primary approach should be to uninstall the driver for the affected device(s) and let Windows install the best one. It is especially helpful in the case of a corrupt driver, usually identified by a warning sign next to it.
If Windows doesn’t identify the device after the restart, go to the Action menu, and select Scan 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 the High Definition Audio Device from the Device 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 when there is a problem with your audio device.
3. Disable Driver Signature Enforcement
- Press Windows + R to open Run, type gpedit.msc in the text field, and hit Enter.
- Now, double-click Administrative Templates under User Configuration, and then on System.
- Select Driver Installation from the left, and then double-click on Code signing for driver packages.
- Check the Enabled option, then from the When Windows detects a driver file without a digital signature dropdown menu, select Ignore, and finally click on OK to save the changes.
This is the quickest way, though you can also disable Driver Signature Enforcement after booting Windows in Recovery Mode. In case you are running the Home edition of Windows 11, you will have to manually install the Local Group Policy Editor.
Once done, check whether no output or input devices are found, or the issue is fixed.
4. Update the sound driver
1. Press Windows + X to open the Power User menu.
2. Select Device Manager from the list.
3. Double-click the category for Sound, video, and game controllers.
4. Then right-click your PC’s sound device, such as High Definition Audio Device, and select Update driver.
5. Click the Search automatically for drivers option.
6. If selecting that option doesn’t install a new driver, select the Search for updated drivers on Windows Update option.
7. Next, press the Check for updates button on the Windows Update tab that opens.
8. Select to download and install available updates.
9. In addition, click on Advanced options, then Optional updates.
10. Select the checkboxes for optional driver updates, and then on Download & install.
If you’re encountering the No Audio Output Device is Installed error on your Windows 11 device, you should update your audio drivers.
This is likely to solve the problem without you having to try out other more complicated solutions. The fastest way of doing this is via Device Manager.
Some users prefer to update drivers with third-party driver updater software, like Outbyte Driver Updater. 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.
5. Change Mono audio settings
- Press Windows + I to open Settings, select Accessibility from the navigation pane, and then click on Audio under Hearing.
- Now, check the Mono audio setting. If it’s already Enabled, turn it off, while if it’s Disabled, click on the toggle to turn it on.
If no output devices are found in Windows 11, change the Mono audio setting and verify if that fixes the problem. It’s a proven workaround, and we recommend you try it should the audio device be disabled on your PC.
6. Uninstall the last Windows Update
- Press Windows + I to open Settings, select Windows Update from the left, and then click on Update history.
- Now, scroll down to the bottom and click on Uninstall updates.
- Click on Uninstall next to the last installed update.
- Again, click Uninstall in the confirmation prompt.
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 to disable 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 the No audio output device installed issue. Some solutions are common here and when Windows can’t find an audio device. So, you may try those as well.
Also, before you leave, find out the bloatware installed in Windows 11, and remove these today to free up storage space and boost the computer’s performance.
Users who have fixed this sound error with different methods are welcome to share their alternative resolutions below.
