When Chrome cannot play sound, first check whether the tab page is muted, then confirm that the system audio output device is correct, then update or reset Chrome settings, and finally troubleshoot problems with Flash or specific websites. 1. Check whether the tab page where the audio and video plays has a mute icon and unmute it; 2. Select the correct audio output device through the system volume settings and test other browsers or players; 3. Go to chrome://settings/help to check for updates or reset browser settings through chrome://settings/reset and disable extended troubleshooting interference; 4. Visit chrome://settings/content to enable Flash or allow the website to automatically play sounds, and try to test in traceless mode. If the above steps are invalid, it may be a system driver or operating system problem.
Chrome not playing sound can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to watch a video or listen to music. The issue isn't always about your speakers or headphones — sometimes it's Chrome itself. Here are some common reasons and fixes that actually work.

1. Check the Mute Button in Chrome Tabs
One of the most overlooked issues is the small mute button on individual tabs. Chrome lets you mute each tab separately, and it's easy to forget which one you've muted.
- Look at the tab with the video or audio playing
- If you see a crossed-out speaker icon, click it to unmute
- This setting resets every time you reload the page, so it might come back if the site auto-mutes by default
This doesn't just apply to YouTube — many sites respect the browser's mute state until interacted with.

2. Make Sure Chrome Is Set as Default Browser for Audio
Sometimes, Windows or macOS might route audio through a different app or device. That means even though Chrome is playing sound, you're not hearing it because the system output is set wrong.
Try these steps:

- Right-click the volume icon on your taskbar (Windows) or go to Sound Settings (Mac)
- Make sure the correct output device is selected
- Test another browser or media player to confirm your system audio works
Also, Chrome may get stuck using an invalid or disconnected audio device. Restarting Chrome or your computer often clears this up.
3. Update or Reset Chrome Settings
Outdated versions of Chrome can cause all kinds of glitches, including audio problems. Also, corrupted settings or extensions can interfere with how Chrome handles sound.
Here's what to try:
- Go to
chrome://settings/help
to check for updates - If updated already, try resetting Chrome:
- Go to
chrome://settings/reset
- Click “Restore settings to their original defaults”
- Confirm and restart Chrome
- Go to
Before resetting, disable any extensions temporarily to see if one of them is causing the issue.
4. Flash Player or Site-Specific Issues
Some older websites still use Flash or other plugins that Chrome no longer supports by default. If you're trying to play sound from a legacy site, it might not work unless you manually enable those features.
What you can do:
- Go to
chrome://settings/content
- Scroll down to "Flash" or "Sound"
- Allow sites to play sound automatically if blocked
You might also want to test the same page in Incognito Mode. If it works there, then an extension or cached data was likely the culprit.
If none of the above help, it might be a deeper system-level issue, like audio drivers or OS updates missing. But for most people, checking the tab mute, audio device, and resetting Chrome settings usually gets things working again.
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