Windows Media Player Not Playing Audio: Why and How to Fix This

Windows Media Player, especially the older versions such as the 7, 8, 10, and even the older ones, was the go-to for playing your music and video. However, with the arrival of Windows 11, things have changed since the default media player for Windows 11 is now the newly released Media Player. However, this doesn't mean that Windows Media Player has disappeared entirely from Windows 11. Regardless of the version you have on your PC, you might face a pesky problem, which is that there is no sound on Windows Media Player. Fortunately, you don't need to worry too much because there are plenty of ways to fix this annoying issue. Thus, you can get your videos playing with sound again after reading this informative blog.

Part 1. Why Windows Media Player Has No Sound

You would wonder why you suddenly find that Windows Media Player was not playing audio. One common suspect is the computer’s audio settings. When the computer device is muted in volume sliders or if the wrong audio device is selected, then it can easily throw off your sound game.

The second one is that there are times when there are missing or outdated audio codecs. You know, those behind-the-scenes tools that are necessary for decoding audio files. Another reason is the tangled web of audio drivers. The clashes or misbehavior with other software can silence the audio, even the most melodious tunes in the video. Finally, let's not disregard the possibility of damaged or corrupted media files. Such kinds of media files can leave your player humming.

With such reasons gathered above, scrutinizing the tested solutions below is important for you to solve the issue of Windows Media Player for having no sound.

Part 2. How to Fix the Issue of No Sound on Windows Media Player

Now, to address the reasons why and how to solve the Windows Media Player’s sound is not working issue, the list of solutions is gathered below.

Fix 1. Check the Volume Settings of Windows Media Player

You might accidentally set the media player's sound to mute or in silence. Thus, to address the issue, initially check if it is really muted. To do so, you can follow the steps below.

Step 1. Run the media player, then quickly check the player’s volume. Typically, it is located at the bottom of the part of the screen.

Step 2. Check if it is set on mute or if it has a red mark on it.

Step 3. If so, you just need to unmute it by sliding its bar to the right to set the volume up.

Fix 2. Solve the File Codec Issue

As mentioned above, codec issues can contribute to why Windows Media Player will not play sound. For example, your player might not be able to play MKV videos. Because the Windows Media Player lacks MKV codec.

Hence, to address this issue on codec, it is advisable to try to download the codec pack using the said media player. Here’s how you do it.

Step 1. On the running Windows Media Player, navigate to Tools > Options.

Step 2. Then, go to the Player tab and toggle the box saying Download codecs automatically.

Step 3. Once toggled, click the OK button.

Fix 3. Reinstall the Audio Driver

One of the mentioned reasons for the sound issue of Windows Media Player is related to the device’s audio driver. So, to fix the problem, try to uninstall and then reinstall the audio driver on your computer.

Step 1. On your desktop keyboard, press the Windows plus X keys at the same time. Then, on the pop-up option, select the Device Manager.

Step 2. After that, click the arrow button on the Sound, Video, and Game Controllers tab.

Step 3. Right-click the audio driver and click the Uninstall Device tab.

Fix 4. Check the Credibility of the Media File

Maybe your MP4 video has no sound in Windows Media Player due to corruption. That said, you may want to check its credibility by trying to play it with other media players. If you confirm that it is corrupted, then you can find a reliable video-fixing tool to fix it.

Part 3. Bonus: Best Software Tool for Fixing Videos with No Sound

As a bonus, we recommend Vidmore Video Fix as the most reliable software to fix your corrupted media file. Yes, this Vidmore Video Fix software is a reliable video fixer for mending problems with corrupted or damaged videos with audio. With Vidmore Video Fixer, you can enjoy the features it offers to fix choppy videos made by digital errors. Furthermore, one of its remarkable aspects is its modern user interface, which will put you at ease when using it. In addition, it also comes with advanced technologies such as algorithms and Artificial Intelligence that make its process more powerful. Despite its advanced algorithms, Vidmore Video Fix remains accessible to all levels of users, even those who are not tech-savvy. Now, if your Windows 11 Media Player plays no sound due to file corruption, then here is how you can use Vidmore to fix the video.

Step 1. First thing first, you need to install the software on your desktop. Please click the Download button below to help you expedite the acquisition.

Step 2. After installing the software, it’s time to run it. When you land on its main interface, you will see two Plus buttons. Click the red one to upload the corrupted video file that you need to fix. Then, you will need to click the blue one to upload a sample video.

Step 3. When both of the videos are loaded, you can now begin the fixation by clicking the Repair button.

Step 4. Once repaired, you can now proceed to export the fixed video by clicking the Save button.

Part 4. FAQs about Windows Media Player

Why does my Windows Media Player have no sound?

Various factors can cause the error of no sound in Windows Media Player. It could be due to muted volume, audio driver issues, hardware problems, or corrupted media files.

Why is there no sound on my MP4 media player?

If your MP4 media player has no sound, then try to use other media players. If the same error persists, then your video file must be the problematic one.

Why won't my music play on a Windows computer?

If the music doesn’t play on your desktop and the Windows Media Player is not working, try to check the sound settings. Also, trying to restart the desktop would help. If, after restarting, the problem is still there, then try to play the music on a different music player to detect if the problem is the file.

Conclusion

Similar to other senior media players, the error of no sound on Windows Media Player is there. Fortunately, the ways to fix this error are also here to help the affected users. If you found this article helpful and informative, then feel free to share it with your friends who have the same problem.