Quick Answer
No sound on a Chromebook is usually a settings issue, not a hardware failure. Click the status area in the bottom-right corner and check the volume slider isn’t muted, confirm the correct output device is selected, then try a hard reset if the problem persists.
Common Causes
- Volume muted or set to zero
- Wrong audio output device selected (Bluetooth speaker, HDMI, etc.)
- A specific app or website losing audio permissions or having its own mute
- A ChromeOS audio driver glitch after an update or sleep
- Dust or debris blocking the speaker grilles
- A failed internal speaker (usually affects only one side)
Step-by-Step Fixes
1. Check Volume and Mute Status
Click the clock in the bottom-right corner and check the volume slider. Also check the physical mute key (usually top-row) isn’t engaged.
2. Confirm the Correct Output Device Is Selected
If you’ve ever connected Bluetooth headphones or an HDMI display, ChromeOS may still be routing audio there. Click the volume icon, then the arrow next to it, and select the built-in Chromebook Speakers as output.
3. Test With Different Apps and Sites
Play audio from a different site (like YouTube) and a different app. If sound works in one but not another, the problem is app-specific, not system-wide.
4. Force a Hard Reset
Hold Refresh + Power for 10 seconds. This reloads the audio driver stack and fixes most glitches that appear after sleep or an update.
5. Check Site-Level Permissions
Some sites mute themselves by default. Click the lock icon in the address bar and confirm sound isn’t blocked for that specific site.
6. Unpair and Reconnect Bluetooth Audio
If you use Bluetooth headphones or speakers, forget the device in Settings > Bluetooth and pair it again — stale Bluetooth audio profiles are a common cause of routing issues.
7. Check the Speaker Grilles
Inspect the speaker openings (usually on the bottom or sides) for dust or debris and clean gently with compressed air.
8. Update ChromeOS
Audio driver bugs occasionally appear after specific updates and get patched in the next release. Check Settings > About ChromeOS.
9. Test in Guest Mode
If sound works in Guest Mode but not your profile, a corrupted setting or extension in your account is the cause.
Still Not Fixed?
If sound fails everywhere, including Guest Mode and after a hard reset, and only one speaker is silent while the other works, the internal speaker itself has likely failed. See our speaker issues guide for repair options.
FAQ
Why does my Chromebook show sound is playing but I hear nothing?
This almost always means the wrong output device is selected, most often a Bluetooth device that’s still paired but out of range. Check the output device dropdown next to the volume slider.
Can a ChromeOS update break audio?
Rarely, yes. Audio driver regressions are uncommon but do happen occasionally and are typically fixed within one or two subsequent updates.
Is it worth repairing a Chromebook speaker?
For most models, yes — speaker replacement is a relatively low-cost repair compared to screen or motherboard work. Using headphones or a Bluetooth speaker is also a fine workaround in the meantime.
