How to Repair Basic Chromebook Sound Issues

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction: Chromebook: Repair Sound Issues

This guide will walk you through troubleshooting basic issues with the sound on your Chromebook.

2. Chromebook: Check Volume

Select the User menu by clicking your profile picture in the bottom-right corner.

Look at the volume bar.

User menu with volume slider highlighted

Make sure it is not Muted.
Make sure the volume bar is up to a reasonable amount.
Open the music or video you were playing. Make sure it is not muted, or the volume is turned down too far.

3. Chromebook: Restart

There are 2 main ways to restart your Chromebook. The first method is preferred.

Shut Down From Menus

Select the User menu by clicking your profile picture in the bottom-right corner.

Select the Power symbol. Your Chromebook will turn off.

Wait 10 seconds.
Push the Power Button on your Chromebook to turn it back on.

Shut Down With Hardware

Push and hold the Power Button on your keyboard for 10 seconds.
Wait 10 seconds.
Push the Power Button on your Chromebook to turn it back on.

4. Chromebook: Remove HDMI Cable

If an HDMI cable is connected, disconnect it.

5. Chromebook: Disconnect Bluetooth

Select the User menu by clicking your profile picture in the bottom-right corner.

Select Bluetooth.

Make sure you're not connected to any Bluetooth audio devices. If you're not sure, simply turn off Bluetooth by selecting the toggle switch at the top.

bluetooth with on off switch highlighted

6. Chromebook: Remove Headset

If an audio headset is connected, disconnect it.

7. Chromebook: Update

Your Chromebook automatically checks for updates on startup. This step will walk you through checking manually.

Select the User menu by clicking your profile picture in the bottom-right corner.

Select Settings.

Select the Menu in the top-left.

Top left corner of the settings screen with the menu icon highlighted.

Select About Chrome OS or About Chromium OS on the bottom left of the menu.

Settings submenu with the about option highlighted at the bottom.

Select Check For Updates.

About screen with check for updates highlighted.

If your device is up-to-date, it will show that here.

About screen with the up to date message highlighted.

If there is an update pending, you will be asked to reboot. Choose to reboot, and your device will reboot and update on its own.

8. Chromebook: Hard Reset

Select the User menu by clicking your profile picture in the bottom-right corner.

Select the Power symbol. Your Chromebook will turn off.

Wait 10 seconds.
Press and hold the Refresh key on your keyboard, then push Power. Release the Refresh key.