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Sound and Speaker Problems
Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist as you complete these checks.
No sound from speakers
No sound from headphones
NOTE: If you are having a problem with a printer, see "Printer Problems."
Check the documentation for the device — See the device's documentation for troubleshooting procedures.
Ensure that the device is turned on — Firmly press the device's power button.
Check the device cable connections — Check the connector for bent or broken pins. (It is normal for most device cable connectors to have
missing pins.) Ensure that the device cable is firmly connected to the computer.
Test the device cable — Swap the device's cable with a cable that works properly.
Test the electrical outlet — Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp.
Eliminate interference — Relocate any electrical appliances on the same circuit or operating near the computer that might cause
interference. Remove these other possible causes of interference:
l Power extension cables
l Keyboard and mouse extension cables
l Too many devices on a power strip
l Multiple power strips connected to the same electrical outlet
Check the option setting — See the device's documentation for the recommended settings. Then enter system setup and go to the
Integrated Devices option settings. Ensure that the Serial Port setting (for a serial device) or the Parallel Port setting (for a parallel
device) matches the recommended settings.
Check the software documentation — If the problem occurs with particular software, see the software documentation for the recommended
serial or parallel port settings. Ensure that the port settings match the recommended settings.
Run the Dell Diagnostics — Run the Serial Ports device group and/or the Parallel Ports device group. If the tests do not complete, contact
Dell.
Test the device — Swap the device with a comparable device that works properly.
NOTE: The volume control in some MP3 players overrides the Windows
®
volume setting. If you have been listening to MP3 songs, ensure that you did
not turn the player volume down or off.
Check the speaker cable connections — Ensure that the speakers are connected as shown on the setup diagram supplied with the
speakers.
Ensure that the subwoofer and the speakers are turned on — See the setup diagram supplied with the speakers. If your speakers have
volume controls, adjust the volume, bass, or treble to eliminate distortion.
Adjust the Windows volume control — Click or double-click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your screen. Ensure that the volume
is turned up and that the sound is not muted.
Disconnect headphones from the headphone connector — Sound from the speakers is automatically disabled when headphones are
connected to the computer's front-panel headphone connector.
Test the electrical outlet — Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp.
Eliminate possible interference — Turn off nearby fans, fluorescent lights, or halogen lamps to check for interference.
Run the speaker diagnostics — Some speaker systems have self- diagnostics. See the speaker documentation for diagnostics instructions.
Reinstall the audio (sound) driver — See "Dell Diagnostics."
Check the device option setting — Enter system setup and ensure that Sound under the Integrated Devices option is set to On. Exit
system setup and reboot the computer.
Check for interrupt request conflicts — See "Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities."
Check the headphone cable connection — Ensure that the headphone cable is securely inserted into the headphone connector (see "Front
View").
Adjust the Windows volume control — Click or double-click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your screen. Ensure that the volume
is turned up and that the sound is not muted.