How to Fix Google Chrome Sound not Working

In today’s digital age, we rely heavily on our web browsers for various tasks, including streaming videos, listening to music, and engaging with online content. However, it can be frustrating when the sound suddenly stops working while browsing the internet, especially in Google Chrome, one of the most popular web browsers.

If you’re experiencing sound issues in Google Chrome, fear not! In this comprehensive guide, we will explore various methods to troubleshoot and fix the sound problem. Whether you’re using Chrome on a Windows, Mac, Chromebook, or Ubuntu device, we’ve got you covered.

The Common Causes of Sound Issues in Chrome

Before we dive into the troubleshooting methods, let’s first understand some of the common causes of sound problems in Google Chrome. These issues can range from simple settings adjustments to more complex hardware or software problems. Here are a few possible culprits:

• Muted speakers: It may seem obvious, but sometimes the speakers are accidentally muted or set to a very low volume.
• Chrome settings: The sound settings within Chrome itself may be misconfigured, preventing websites from playing sound.
• Extensions: Certain extensions installed in Chrome can interfere with sound playback.
• Outdated drivers: Outdated or incompatible sound drivers can cause sound issues in Chrome.
• Cache and cookies: A build-up of cache and cookies in Chrome can disrupt sound playback.
• Malware or unwanted software: Malware or unwanted software on your system can affect the sound in Chrome.
• Hardware issues: Problems with your audio hardware, such as faulty speakers or a disconnected audio cable, can also result in sound problems.

Now that we have a better understanding of the possible causes, let’s explore the troubleshooting methods to fix the sound issues in Google Chrome.

Troubleshooting Sound Issues in Google Chrome

Method 1: Check Volume Settings

The first step in troubleshooting sound issues in Google Chrome is to check the volume settings. It’s crucial to ensure that your speakers are not muted and the volume is set to an audible level. Here’s how to do it:

1. Launch Google Chrome.
2. Click on the three dots (or three horizontal lines) in the upper right-hand corner of the browser.
3. Go to the Settings page.
4. Scroll down and click on Advanced to show the advanced options.
5. Under the Privacy and security tab, click on Site settings.
6. Scroll down to Sound and click on it.
7. Ensure that the toggle button next to “Allow sites to play sound (recommended)” is enabled. If it’s disabled or set to “Mute sites that play sound,” toggle the button to enable sound playback.

Once you’ve adjusted the volume settings, try visiting a website or playing a video to check if the sound is working correctly in Chrome.

Method 2: Update Sound Drivers

Outdated or incompatible sound drivers can cause sound issues in Google Chrome. To ensure that your sound drivers are up to date, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard and select Device Manager from the menu.
2. In the Device Manager window, expand the Sound, video, and game controllers category.
3. Right-click on your sound driver and select Update driver.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to update the driver.

After updating the sound driver, restart Google Chrome and test the sound to see if the issue is resolved.

Method 3: Disable Extensions

Extensions can enhance your browsing experience in Chrome, but they can also interfere with sound playback. If you have installed any extensions that might be causing the sound problem, try disabling them. Here’s how:

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Click on the three dots in the top-right corner and go to More tools > Extensions.
3. Disable each extension one by one by moving the toggle switch to the off position.
4. After disabling each extension, test the sound to see if the issue persists.
5. If the sound returns after disabling a specific extension, consider removing it permanently.

Method 4: Clear Cache and Cookies

A build-up of cache and cookies in Google Chrome can sometimes disrupt sound playback. Clearing these temporary files can help resolve sound issues. Follow these steps to clear the cache and cookies:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete on your keyboard to open the Clear browsing data window.
2. Select the relevant time range (e.g., All time) and check the boxes for Browsing history, Download history, Cookies and other site data, and Cached images and files.
3. Click Clear data to remove the selected files.

After clearing the cache and cookies, restart Chrome and check if the sound is working properly.

Method 5: Check for Malware

Malware or unwanted software on your system can interfere with the sound in Google Chrome. To check for potential malware, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings in Google Chrome.
2. Go to Advanced and click on Clean up computer.
3. Click on Find to scan for any malware or unwanted software.
4. If any malware is found, select Remove to remove it from your system.

After removing any malware, restart Chrome and test the sound to see if the issue is resolved.

Additional Troubleshooting Methods

If the above methods don’t resolve the sound issues in Google Chrome, you can try the following additional troubleshooting methods:

• Play sound in another browser to determine if the problem is specific to Chrome.
• Refresh the current Chrome tab not playing sound.
• Restart Chrome and test the sound again.
• Ensure that the page is not muted by right-clicking on its tab and selecting the Unmute site option.
• Make sure you’re running the latest version of Chrome by checking for updates in the Settings menu.
• Disable the Pepper Flash extension in chrome://extensions if it’s causing sound problems.
• Reset Chrome settings to their default values by going to Settings > Advanced > Reset.
• Reinstall Chrome by completely removing it from your PC or Mac and then reinstalling it.

Conclusion

Experiencing sound issues in Google Chrome can be frustrating, but with the troubleshooting methods outlined in this guide, you should be able to resolve the problem. Remember to check your volume settings, update sound drivers, disable extensions, clear cache and cookies, and check for malware. If the issue persists, try additional troubleshooting methods or seek further assistance.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your browsing experience in Google Chrome is accompanied by flawless sound playback. Enjoy streaming videos, listening to music, and engaging with online content without any interruption. Happy browsing!

Experiencing difficulties with your Device, check out our “How To” page on how to resolve some of these issues.