There could be various scenarios when you experience a low volume. You may set the volume to its fullest and still encounter the low volume problem. Or, you may listen to intermittent, distorted, and hissing sounds. In this article, We will guide you through the causes behind low computer volume and solutions to fix it.
What Makes Your Computer Volume Too Low?
Fixes For a Low Computer Volume
Your sound experience is badly affected if you can’t level up your volume as per your need. You need to figure it out as soon as you can. Troubleshooting a low computer volume problem is not a big deal. It includes a simple hardware check and minor software fixes. It won’t take much of your time and is not that tedious.
Perform a Hardware Check
You should perform a hardware check first before you move to further fixes. Cables connecting the speakers with your PC can get loose, or they may get wear and tear over time. Also, the USB connector may be faulty and cause the issue. Check to see if it is the culprit. Clean the speakers as dust and debris may be clogging them. You can wipe it with a soft cloth or use a vacuum cleaner. Be gentle while cleaning the speaker cone. They are sensitive, and you may end up damaging them. Moreover, you should also check the volume controller wheel embedded in your speakers. Sometimes, it may be set to a minimum, and you may be experiencing a low volume. You should also make sure there is no magnetic device around your speakers. They are also one of the reasons why your sound gets distorted and low. You can also swap the speakers and check the volume. Take your speaker to another PC or get a new speaker and connect it to your PC to see if the issue persists. After that, you will easily figure out if a hardware or software issue is making your computer volume too low.
Reboot the Computer
Rebooting solves most of the problems on your PC without any further hassles. Any glitches interfering with the audio service get solved, and you may get the actual volume back after a restart. So, give it a try.
Update the Audio Drivers
Audio drivers are responsible for coordinating your OS and sound devices. If the drivers get outdated, it may be causing your computer volume to be low.
Select the Highest Sample Rate and Bit Depth
Sample rate and bit depth are the technical terms associated with Sound. The sample rate is the number of audio samples the file carries per unit time. While bit depth is the number of bits that describe each sample. Higher their value, the higher the quality of sound. Here’s how you can set it to the highest:
Enable Loudness Equalization For Your Speakers
Loudness equalization is a feature that helps to make your audio sound constant. It balances the louder and quieter part of the audio and helps it sound better. Enable this feature to see if it solves your problem. Here’s how:
Disable All the Audio Enhancements
Microsoft provides different audio enhancement techniques like Bass Boost and Room Correction to improve your hearing experience. However, they can sometimes cause your computer volume to be low. Follow these steps to disable them:
Change the Communication Settings
Communication settings is used to adjust the volume level on your PC whenever it detects telephone calls or other communication activity. If you are on a call, you may experience a low volume. You can disable this setting if you don’t want to reduce the volume. Here’s how:
Use Volume Mixer to Increase the Sound Level
You can set different volume levels for different applications using a volume mixer. If you are experiencing a low volume while on certain applications but are fine with others, you can use a volume mixer to adjust the app-specific volume. Follow these steps:
Run the Audio Troubleshooter
Windows comprises a troubleshooter tool that integrates many specific troubleshooting tools. They are used to diagnose and fix issues with different devices and settings. Audio troubleshooting is one among them that can be used to fix issues with your audio devices. It will also fix issues with the low volume. Follow these steps to run the audio troubleshooter:
Run SFC and DISM Commands
SFC stands for System File Checker (SFC). It is responsible for checking corrupted files on your PC and restoring them with the working version. SFC will fix the issue if any corrupted file is interfering with the volume service. While DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) scans your OS for corrupted files and repairs them. It is responsible for fixing the defects found in the Windows image. In our case, if it finds any corrupted audio configuration files, it will help repair them and get your volume back. Follow these steps to run the SFC and DISM tool:
Re-enable the Sound Controllers
Many users reported returning their actual volume after re-enabling the sound controller. Any kind of glitches will get resolved after disabling and enabling the controller. Here’s how to do it:
Restart the Windows Audio Service
Windows Audio service is responsible for managing audio devices and effects on Windows PC. If it is stopped by any means, you may be experiencing issues with your system sound. Follow these steps to restart the Windows Audio service:
Update the Windows
Outdated versions of Windows may cause compatibility issues with the audio driver and make the volume too low. Updating the Windows to the latest version will help you fix the issue. Here’s how to do it:
Use a Third-Party Equalizer Program
If you tried all the fixes discussed above, you would surely solve the problem. But just in case you didn’t figure it out, there are many applications available on the Internet that let you boost your computer’s sound. Some of them are Equalizer APO, Ear Trumpet, and Boom 3D. However, you need some expertise to use them.
