No sound from the computer

Steps

1. Click the speaker icon near the clock. Make sure the volume slider isn't at zero or muted (a little X on the icon means muted — click it).
2. Next to the volume slider there's a small arrow > — click it to see the list of output devices. Choose your actual speakers or headphones, not the monitor/TV (which often has no speakers) and not a Bluetooth device that isn't on.
3. External speakers: check they're switched on, turned up, and plugged into the green socket (or the headphone socket on a laptop). Give the plug a firm push — it's often not all the way in.
4. Still silent? Right-click the speaker icon → Troubleshoot sound problems and let Windows have a go. It fixes the boring cases.
5. Check the app itself: a video player, Zoom or a browser tab can be muted on its own. In the browser, look for a crossed-out speaker on the tab.
6. Restart the computer.

If that didn't work

• If it's Bluetooth headphones or a speaker: on them, hold the power button until they go into pairing mode, then Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Add device.
• If sound only vanished after a Windows update, the audio driver may need reinstalling — that's a short visit.