7 Ways to Fix Google Chrome Sound Not Working on Headphones

Quick Tips

• Make sure to unmute the tab, and check the volume mixer settings for Google Chrome.
• Go to Chrome Settings > Privacy > Sound and enable Allow Sites to Play Sound.
• Ensure you’ve selected the correct device for the audio output from Google Chrome.

Basic Fixes

• Restart Chrome: Restart Chrome, reload the tab, and restart your PC to eliminate temporary bugs and glitches.
• Disable unwanted extensions: A few problematic extensions may cause issues with audio playback on Google Chrome.
• Clear Chrome Data: Clear Chrome cache and cookies to delete junk files that may execute bugs.
• Update Google Chrome: Update Google Chrome to the latest version for a bug free experience.

Fix 1: Unmute Tab

Google Chrome allows you to mute individual sites with a click or two. You might have accidentally hit the mute button, and that’s why there is no sound on Chrome.

To fix it, open the website having the sound issue, right-click on the tab at the top, and select Unmute Site.

Fix 2: Check Chrome Sound Settings

Google Chrome comes with a native setting to disable sound. Check if you’ve enabled it.

Step 1: In Chrome, type chrome://settings/content/sound in the address bar.

It will take you directly to the sound settings of Chrome. Alternatively, go to Chrome Settings > Site Settings (under Privacy and Security) > Sound.

Step 2: Turn on Allow Sites to play sound (recommended). That means all sites can play music.

Next, verify that the particular website isn’t added under Mute. If it’s there, remove it.

Step 3: Close Chrome and restart it. The sound should be back on Chrome.

Fix 3: Check Chrome Sound in the Volume Mixer

You can also check and increase the level of volume output from the Chrome app on your Windows PC using the volume mixer tool.

Step 1: Open the tab in Chrome that doesn’t have sound.

Step 2: Right-click on the sound icon in the taskbar and choose Open Volume Mixer.

Step 3: Ensure Chrome is not on mute and volume levels are reasonably high.

Fix 4: Change Playback Settings

Sometimes, the sound is mistakenly routed to a non-connected output because all audio channels aren’t utilized.

Step 1: Open the Control Panel on your PC and go to Sound.

Step 2: You will find your connected speakers or headphones listed under the Playback tab in Sound settings. Click on the respective speaker/headphone name and hit the Configure button.

If that window shows up nothing, you will have to troubleshoot the audio drivers in your Windows computer first.

Step 3: You will be taken to the Speaker Setup screen. Choose Stereo under Audio channels and hit the Next button. Complete the rest of the setup without changing anything.

By the end, the sound will be back on Chrome.

Fix 5: Pick Correct Output Device

If your Windows PC is providing the sound output to another device, you will not be able to listen to any sound on your headphones.

Step 1: Go to Windows Settings (from the Start Menu), followed by System > Sound. Alternatively, type Sound settings in Windows search. Click on it.

Step 2: Under Sound settings, click on the drop-down box under Output and choose the correct speaker.

Test the sound on Chrome. If the issue is fixed, all is good. Otherwise, continue.

Step 3: On the same screen, scroll down and click on App volume and device preferences under Advanced sound options.

Step 4: If Chrome is listed under Apps, make sure Default is selected under the Output drop-down box. Also, check the volume slider. It should be high or 100. Test the audio.

Also Read: How to fix default audio device keeps changing on Windows.

Fix 6: Troubleshoot Sound on Windows

You can also use the native troubleshooting feature to detect sound issues on your PC, especially Chrome. For that, go to Sound Settings by typing Sound Settings in Windows search.

Then, click on the Troubleshoot button present below the Master volume icon. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Also Read: How to change sound volume in Windows.

Fix 7: Update Windows Sound Driver

At times, the sound driver gets corrupted, and that results in no sound with various multimedia apps. To fix it, you have to update or uninstall it.

Step 1: Right-click on the start menu icon and select Device Manager.

Step 2: Expand Sound, video, and game controller. Right-click on your audio driver and select Update driver. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Once complete, restart your PC. Now, try playing audio in Chrome.