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Why can't I hear any sound?

Possible reasons include:

  • The volume control is set to mute. Check the volume icon in the top right of the screen, if there's an x on it then it's muted. Click and adjust volume with the slider.
  • You don't have any speakers attached to the computer. (Sounds obvious but this has been the answer to real enquiries.)
  • On computers in workareas the sound is configured such that by default no sound comes from the computer's built in speakers, only from the headphone jack. If you wish to hear sound you can either connect a pair of headphones, or change the configuration so sound comes out of the speakers (please consider the impact on other users of the workarea before doing this). To do this:-
    • Open the System menu (top right of screen) and click the Settings icon (looks like a crossed spanner and screwdriver) then click Sound.
    • In the Output tab you'll see a drop down menu labelled Connector where headphones will be selected. Change the selected connector. E.g.settings_sound_output.png