Windows 11 Sound Issue

Follow these steps in order, testing after each sign-in (normal boot vs. PIN unlock):

1. Confirm the correct output device after unlock
   1. Select the Speakers icon on the taskbar.
   2. Select the arrow to the right of the volume slider (Select a sound output).
   3. Make sure the intended speakers/headphones are selected. If an external monitor or a different device is selected, switch back to the desired output.
2. Check hardware and volume controls
   1. Verify speakers/headphones are firmly connected and powered on.
   2. Make sure nothing is muted and all volume sliders (system, app, and device) are turned up.
   3. If using USB audio, try a different USB port.
   4. If headphones are plugged in, unplug them and see if the built‑in speakers work after unlocking.
3. Check sound settings and device status
   1. Select Start > Settings > System > Sound.
   2. Under Output, confirm the correct device is selected; this also sets it as default.
   3. Under Advanced, select More sound settings.
   4. On the Playback tab, select the device in use, choose Properties.
   5. Under Device usage, ensure Use this device (enable) is selected.
4. Turn off audio enhancements
   1. Go to Start > Settings > Sound.
   2. In Output, select the audio device in use.
   3. Scroll to Advanced settings and set Audio enhancements to Off.
5. Run the audio troubleshooter
   1. Go to Start > Settings > System.
   2. Select Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
   3. In the Audio section, select Run and apply any fixes offered.
6. Update or reinstall audio drivers
   1. Open Device Manager (Start > type "Device Manager").
   2. Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
   3. Right‑click the audio device (e.g., Realtek, speakers, or headset) and select Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
   4. If no update is found or the issue persists, right‑click the device again and select Uninstall device, confirm, then restart the PC so Windows reinstalls the driver.
7. Try the generic audio driver
   1. In Device Manager, expand Sound, video and game controllers.
   2. Right‑click the audio device > Update driver.
   3. Select Browse my computer for drivers > Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
   4. Select High Definition Audio Device and then Next.
8. Check Windows Audio services (helps when sound stops after session changes like unlock)
   1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, press Enter.
   2. Find and restart these services: Windows Audio, Windows Audio Endpoint Builder, Remote Procedure Call (RPC).
   3. Ensure their Startup type is set to Automatic.
9. Install all Windows Updates (including optional driver updates)
   1. Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update.
   2. Select Check for updates and install everything offered.
   3. Restart and test whether sound survives a lock/unlock cycle.

If the problem only appears after the screen locks, pay special attention to steps 1, 3, 6, 7, and 8, as they address default device selection and driver/service issues that can change between sessions.

References:

• Fix sound or audio problems in Windows
• Update Audio drivers in Windows
• Logitech G560 Speakers detect audio (volume bar moves) but no sound comes out - Microsoft Q&A
• No audio with Windows 11 - Microsoft Q&A
• NO SOUND DEVICE INSTALLED - Microsoft Q&A
• Audio quality suddenly awful in Windows 11 - Microsoft Q&A
• How to fix this. no audio device is installed - Microsoft Q&A