Methods to Tame Faulty Sound Controls in Windows

Sometimes, your audio level won’t change when you drag the volume bar’s slider. Sometimes, you’ll notice that the volume gets stuck at a 100 percent level. Consequently, you can only adjust the volume with the sound controls in media players or browsers.

Is the volume control slider not working on your Windows PC? If so, this is how you can fix the volume control slider not working in Windows.

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links

If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

1. Run the Playing Audio Troubleshooter

Windows has a Playing Audio troubleshooter that’s there to help you resolve sound-related issues. So, try running that troubleshooter first to see if it offers any potential fixes for the volume control slider not working. You can open and run the Playing Audio troubleshooter like this:

1. To open Settings, simultaneously press theWin + I keys.
2. SelectSystem >Troubleshoot to access troubleshooting navigation options.
3. ClickOther trouble-shooters to reach a list of troubleshooting utilities.
4. SelectRun for the Playing Audio troubleshooter shown there.
   
5. Then select to apply all fixes offered within the Playing Audio troubleshooter.
   

2. Scan and Repair System Files

The volume control slider might not work on your PC because of system file corruption. So, run a System File Checker scan to check for and repair corrupted files. This guide torunning an SFC scan tells you how to repair corrupted system files.

3. Restart the Windows Explorer Process

Sometimes the volume control freezes because of File Explorer issues. So, restarting the Explorer process might fix the volume control not working for some users. Restart Explorer as follows:

1. Open Task Manager, which you can access with theCtrl +Shift +Esc keyboard shortcut.
2. Scroll down theProcesses tab to find Windows Explorer.
3. Select the Windows Explorer process.
   
4. ClickRestart in the bottom right corner of theProcesses tab.

4. Start or Restart Windows Audio Service

Restarting the Windows Audio service is a potential resolution that users confirm can fix the volume control slider. Some users may need to start that service if it’s not already running. This is how you can start or restart the Windows Audio Service:

1. PressWin + S to open Windows Search.
2. Typeservices into Windows Search and click on theServices result shown in the search tool.
3. Double-clickWindows Audio to open the settings for that service.
   
4. Open theStartup type menu to select anAutomatic option for the service.
5. Select Windows Audio’sStart button if the service isn’t running. If Windows Audio is running, restart that service instead by clickingStop andStart in the properties window.
   
6. PressApply andOK to set the new Windows Audio service options.

5. Change the Scale Setting

Changing the scale is a slightly curious potential fix for the volume control slider not working. However, some users have said that setting the display scale to 125 percent fixed volume control not working for them. So, try changing theScale setting like this:

1. Open Settings and select theSystem category or tab in that app.
2. ClickDisplay to access theScale option.
3. Select the125% option on theScale drop-down menu. Or change theScale setting to a different100% or150 value if 125% is already selected.
   

6. Update the Audio Device Driver

A faulty or outmoded audio device driver on your PC could be causing the volume control issue. To remedy that, try updating your PC’s audio device driver.

The most straightforward way to do that is to utilize the best driver updater software like Driver Booster. Such software will detect an antiquated or faulty sound driver on your PC and enable you to update it. Check outhow to update Windows, apps, and drivers for more information.

However, some users have said they’ve fixed the volume control with Device Manager’s Update Driver tool. Those users selected an existing high-definition audio driver already on their PCs. This is how you can update the sound driver like that:

1. First, pressWin + X to open the Power User menu.
2. Select the menu’sDevice Manager shortcut.
3. Click the arrow for extending theSound, video and game controllers category.
4. Right-click High Definition Audio to select itsUpdate driver option.
5. SelectBrowse my computer for drivers option.
   
6. Click theLet me pick option.
   
7. Select High Definition Audio and clickNext .
   
8. ClickYes to install the selected audio driver.

9. Exit Device Manager and restart your desktop/laptop.

7. Reinstall Your PC’s Audio Device Driver

Reinstall the audio device driver if there isn’t a newer one available. You can reinstall that device driver as follows:

1. Start Device Manager as outlined in the previous resolution.
2. Then double-click theSound category inside the Device Manager window.
3. ClickHigh Definition Audio with the right mouse button and selectUninstall device .
   
4. SelectUninstall to confirm that action. Also, click theDelete the driver for this device checkbox if that option is available.

5. Bring up the Windows Start menu and select to restart the PC from there. Windows will reinstall a sound driver after the restart.
6. Or you can reinstall device drivers by clicking theScan for hardware changes option in Device Manager without restarting.

8. Disable Absolute Volume Control by Editing the Registry

This potential resolution is specifically for fixing the volume control slider not working with Bluetooth speakers. The Absolute Volume feature can cause the volume control to stop working with incompatible Bluetooth devices. Users with Bluetooth speakers have confirmed disabling Absolute Volume by editing a CT registry key resolves that issue.

Our guide aboutdisabling Absolute Volume on Windows includes full instructions for how to apply this potential fix.

9. Reinstall Windows With an In-Place Upgrade

If the volume control slider still isn’t working after going through the fixes above, there could be a deeper issue that only reinstalling (or resetting) Windows will resolve. You can reinstall the OS and preserve apps and user files by performing an in-place upgrade. So, try reinstalling Windows as covered in our guide toperforming an in-place upgrade on Windows .

Resetting Windows is a similar troubleshooting method to an in-place upgrade that will restore the platform to default settings. However, you can’t select to preserve all the apps you’ve installed within the “Reset this PC” tool. This article aboutfactory resetting Windows tells you how to utilize the “Reset this PC” utility.

Adjust the Audio Level With the Volume Control Slider Again on Windows

It’s undoubtedly an annoyance when the Windows volume control slider stops working even though you can still change sound levels within third-party software. Applying the potential solutions covered here will almost certainly fix that volume control slider for most users. With that issue resolved, you can adjust the volume with the control slider in the Windows 11/10 system tray again.

Also read: