Windows 10: How to fix mute speaker?

My speaker doesn't work and I don't know why.

:)

 

How do I mute my internal laptop speakers leaving external speakers on

Hello everyone, I'm a newbie. Windows 10. Incredibly I was innocently dusting my Del laptop keys when my computer sound (usually set on Pandora music) was muted, showing an 'x' over speaker icon on taskbar. Previously I could just click it to get it unmuted. This time it took about two hours of my time. Now I have sound coming out of both my external speakers and my internal speakers, when previously just plugging in my external speakers would mute my internal, or built-in, speakers. Is there any way I can mute my internal speakers without muting my external speakers without spending the rest of the day in troubleshooting, involving detailed examination of my motherboard and countless other steps?
Thanks for listening!
tma

 

Speaker MUTE Key and ICON

The suggestions about restarting the explorer.exe and running sfc didn't fix the problem. I don't think there is a
corruped file becuase the mute switch worked fine until the day I upgraded from 7 to 10.

I ran a copy of Linux Live and the mute icon works fine, going back to win 10 the mute switch is always on regardless the postilion of the speaker mute key, the ICON is always on.

 

Speakers on permanent mute and unable to clear it on Windows 10

Hello Christina,

Thank you for contacting Microsoft Community.

We understand the inconvenience you have experienced.

• What is the make and model of your PC?
• Is it a Laptop or Desktop?
• Is it showing red mute symbol against speaker icon in system tray?
• Are you referring to Cumulative Windows Update?

If in case the problem is on laptop, then check with the function key combination for mute and unmute on keyboard. For example, Fn key + F7 or F9. So, try to press the key combination to see if it makes any difference. Also try pressing the function key
(I.e. F7 or F9) alone without using Fn key to check if it correct the issue.

If it doesn't fix the issue, then go to System tray, right-click on Speaker Icon, then select
Open Volume Mixer. Ensure that all speaker slider are set correctly and noting is selected to Mute. If anything is showing a Mute (I.e. red mute symbol), then try to clear it to see if it fix the issue. If problem still persist, then try below
steps.

• 
  Open Device Manager, by pressing
  Windows Key + X and select Device
  Manager.
  
• 
  Spot and expand the “Sound, video and game controllers” using
  Arrow keys or using cursor.
  
• 
  Double-click on the High Definition Audio Device
  driver or any other driver showing there.
  
• 
  Go to the Drivers tab.
  
• 
  Select Roll Back Driver
  under Drivers tab.
  
• 
  In the Driver Package rollback dialog box, select
  Yes.
  
• 
  Reboot the system to check if problem still persist.
  
• 
  If it doesn't fix the issue, then Right click on the same driver and select “Uninstall” then restart the system and let the system install the driver automatically on Start. Check and see
  if it resolve the issue. (Recommended step)
  

Keep us posted the outcome to guide you further.