Resetting Audio Settings on Any Device in 2026

Resetting audio settings is one of the most effective ways to fix sound problems across any device. Whether your audio is distorted, completely silent, or behaving unexpectedly, a clean reset brings everything back to factory defaults and gives you a fresh starting point. In this comprehensive guide, we walk you through the exact steps needed to reset audio settings on Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone, so no matter what device you use, you will have your sound working smoothly again in just a few minutes.

Sound issues can pop up for a variety of reasons. You might have accidentally changed a volume level inside an app, enabled a setting that conflicts with your audio output, or simply need a fresh start after a software update introduced a glitch. Whatever the cause, resetting your audio settings is a reliable, non-destructive solution that does not delete any of your personal files or data. Let us get into it.

Why You Might Need to Reset Your Audio Settings

Before jumping into the steps, it helps to understand when and why resetting audio settings is the right move. There are several common scenarios where a reset is the fastest path to fixing your sound. Your device may have stopped playing audio altogether after an update, an app may have changed your volume or output routing without your knowledge, or you may have tweaked settings over time and lost track of what the defaults were. In all of these cases, resetting brings everything back to a known, working state without any guesswork involved.

Resetting audio settings is also a smart first step before trying more advanced troubleshooting like reinstalling drivers or contacting support. It is quick, safe, and often resolves the issue entirely. If you are a music producer or use your device for professional audio work, a reset is especially useful when you want to start from a clean slate after a project is complete.

Resetting Audio Settings on Windows

Windows offers several built-in methods for resetting your audio settings, and you do not need any third-party software to do it. The steps below cover the most effective approaches, starting with the quickest fix and moving to more thorough options if needed. Make sure you are logged in as an administrator before you begin.

Method 1: Reset Volume and App Levels via Volume Mixer

This is the fastest way to reset all audio volumes across every app on your Windows PC back to the recommended defaults. It takes less than a minute and requires no restarts.

1. Press the Windows + I keys on your keyboard to open the Settings app.
2. In the left sidebar, click on System.
3. On the right side, click on Sound.
4. Scroll down to the Advanced section and click on Volume mixer.
5. At the bottom of the Volume Mixer window, locate the option that reads “Reset Sound Devices and Volumes for All Apps to the Recommended Defaults.”
6. Click the Reset button next to that option.
7. Your volume levels for all apps and devices will now return to their default values.

Method 2: Reset a Specific Audio Device to Defaults

If only one particular speaker or headphone output is causing trouble, you can reset just that device without touching the rest of your audio setup.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Navigate to System > Sound.
3. Click on More sound settings at the bottom of the page.
4. In the Sound window that appears, make sure the Playback tab is selected.
5. Double-click the audio device you want to reset, such as your speakers or headphones.
6. In the device properties window, click on the Advanced tab.
7. At the bottom of that tab, click the Restore Defaults button.
8. If the button is grayed out, it means your device is already using the default settings and no reset is needed.

Method 3: Restart the Windows Audio Service

Sometimes the audio service running in the background gets stuck or stops responding. Restarting it can clear out any temporary errors without changing your settings.

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
3. In the Services window, scroll down and locate Windows Audio.
4. Right-click on Windows Audio and select Restart from the dropdown menu.
5. Wait a few seconds for the service to restart.
6. Also locate Windows Audio Endpoint Builder in the same list and restart it the same way.
7. Once both services are restarted, test your audio to see if the issue is resolved.

Method 4: Reinstall the Audio Driver

If none of the above methods fix your sound, the audio driver itself may need to be reinstalled. Windows will automatically reinstall it for you after a restart.

1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager, or type Device Manager in the Windows search bar and open it.
2. Expand the category called Sound, video and game controllers.
3. Right-click on your audio device and select Uninstall device.
4. Click Uninstall to confirm. Do not check the option to delete the driver files.
5. Restart your Windows PC.
6. After the restart, Windows will automatically detect and reinstall the audio driver.
7. Test your audio once the desktop has finished loading.

Resetting Audio Settings on Mac

macOS handles audio differently from Windows, but there are still several straightforward methods to reset your sound back to defaults. The approaches below range from the simplest setting adjustments to deeper resets of the system audio components. None of them require you to download any additional software.

Method 1: Verify and Adjust Sound Settings in System Settings

Start here to make sure your basic audio configuration is correct before moving to deeper resets.

1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
2. Select System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions).
3. Click on Sound in the left sidebar.
4. Go to the Output tab and confirm that the correct device is selected, such as Built-in Speakers or your preferred headphones.
5. Make sure the Output volume slider is not at zero or muted.
6. Click the Input tab and verify that your microphone or input device is also set correctly.
7. If everything looks correct here but sound is still not working, move on to the next method.

Method 2: Reset Core Audio

Core Audio is the low-level system component on macOS that manages all audio playback, recording, and processing. Resetting it is one of the most effective fixes for persistent sound issues on a Mac.

1. Open the Finder and navigate to Applications > Utilities.
2. Open the Terminal application.
3. Type the following command exactly as shown: sudo killall coreaudiod
4. Press Enter on your keyboard.
5. If prompted, type your Mac administrator password and press Enter again.
6. Once the command has run, macOS will automatically restart the Core Audio process in the background.
7. Play a sound or piece of audio to confirm that everything is working again.

Method 3: Reset NVRAM

NVRAM is a small amount of memory on your Mac that stores system settings, including audio volume preferences. If this memory becomes corrupted, it can cause ongoing sound issues. Resetting it returns these stored values to their defaults. Note that this step also resets other settings like display resolution and startup disk, so it is best used when other methods have not worked.

1. Click on the Apple menu and select Shut Down.
2. Wait for your Mac to fully power off.
3. Press the power button to turn your Mac back on.
4. Immediately after the screen lights up, press and hold the keys Option + Command + P + R all at the same time.
5. Keep holding all four keys for approximately 20 seconds.
6. On older Intel Macs, release the keys after you hear the startup sound play a second time. On newer Macs with an Apple Silicon or T2 chip, release when the Apple logo appears and disappears a second time.
7. Your Mac will finish restarting with your NVRAM reset to default values.
8. Check your sound settings again after the restart is complete.

Method 4: Delete Corrupted Audio Preference Files

Corrupted audio preference files can cause persistent issues that even a Core Audio reset will not fix. Deleting these files forces macOS to recreate them with clean, default values the next time you restart.

1. Open Finder and click on Go in the top menu bar.
2. Hold down the Option key on your keyboard and click on Library in the dropdown menu. This reveals the hidden Library folder.
3. Navigate to Preferences inside the Library folder.
4. Look for and delete the file named com.apple.audio.AudioMIDISetup.plist if it exists. Move it to the Trash.
5. Also navigate to Library > Preferences > Audio and delete any .plist files found inside that folder.
6. Empty your Trash.
7. Restart your Mac.
8. After the restart, macOS will automatically recreate these preference files with their default settings.

Resetting Audio Settings on Android

Android gives you flexible control over audio, but that flexibility also means settings can drift out of alignment over time. The steps below cover the most common and reliable ways to reset your sound on an Android phone or tablet. Keep in mind that the exact menu names may vary slightly depending on your phone manufacturer, but the overall process remains the same. You can always use the search function inside your Settings app to find the relevant option quickly.

Method 1: Reset Individual Volume Levels

Android separates your audio into different channels, such as media, ringtone, alarm, and notification volume. You can reset each one individually to make sure none of them are accidentally set too low or muted.

1. Press and hold one of the volume buttons on the side of your phone to bring up the on-screen volume slider.
2. Tap the small down arrow or expand icon below the slider to reveal all volume channels.
3. Adjust each slider, including Media, Ringtone, Alarm, and Notification, to a comfortable and audible level.
4. Make sure none of the sliders are at zero or fully muted.
5. Dismiss the volume panel and test your audio.

Method 2: Disable Do Not Disturb Mode

Do Not Disturb mode silences all incoming sounds and notifications, and it is one of the most common reasons people think their audio is broken when it is actually working as intended.

1. Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the notification shade or Quick Settings panel.
2. Look for the Do Not Disturb icon, which usually looks like a circle with a line through it.
3. If the icon is highlighted or active, tap it to turn it off.
4. Alternatively, open the Settings app, tap on Sound & vibration, and then select Do Not Disturb to review and disable any active rules.
5. Once Do Not Disturb is turned off, test your audio again.

Method 3: Reset All Settings to Factory Defaults

If your audio issues persist after adjusting individual settings, resetting all settings on your Android device will return everything, including audio configurations, to their original factory state. This does not delete your apps, photos, or personal data, but you will need to reconfigure preferences like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth afterward.

1. Open the Settings app on your Android phone.
2. Scroll down and tap on General Management or System, depending on your device brand.
3. Tap on Reset or Reset options.
4. Select Reset all settings or Reset to factory defaults from the list of available options.
5. Review the warning message that explains what will be reset and what will be preserved.
6. Tap Reset or Confirm to proceed.
7. Enter your PIN or password if prompted.
8. Wait for the process to complete, then test your audio once your phone has finished restarting.

Method 4: Disconnect and Reconnect Bluetooth Audio Devices

If your audio is routing to a Bluetooth device instead of your phone speakers, or if a previously connected device is causing conflicts, disconnecting and reconnecting can resolve the issue.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Connected Devices or Bluetooth.
3. Find the Bluetooth audio device that is currently connected and tap the settings icon or three dots menu next to it.
4. Select Disconnect to remove the active connection.
5. Turn Bluetooth off using the toggle switch at the top of the Bluetooth menu.
6. Turn Bluetooth back on after a few seconds.
7. If you want to reconnect the device, tap on it again and select Connect.
8. Test your audio to confirm it is now playing through the correct output.

Resetting Audio Settings on iPhone

iPhone audio settings are managed through a combination of the Settings app and the Control Center. The methods below cover everything from quick adjustments to a full settings reset, all without needing to erase your data. These steps apply to iPhones running iOS 15 and later, though the general navigation is similar on older versions as well.

Method 1: Check and Adjust Basic Sound Settings

Before performing any deeper reset, confirm that the basic audio controls are configured correctly. This takes just a few seconds and can often solve the problem right away.

1. Check that the Ring/Silent switch on the left side of your iPhone is in the up position, meaning your phone is not muted.
2. Use the volume buttons on the left side of your phone to increase the volume to a comfortable level.
3. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center.
4. Locate the volume slider and drag it upward to make sure it is not set to zero.
5. Confirm that your audio is not being routed to a Bluetooth device or headphones by checking the speaker icon at the top of the volume slider in Control Center.
6. If audio is going to the wrong device, tap the speaker icon and select iPhone or the correct output.

Method 2: Turn Off Music EQ and Reset Headphone Accommodations

iPhone has built-in equalizer and audio enhancement settings that can alter the sound significantly. Turning these off resets your audio output to a neutral, unmodified state.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on Music.
3. Tap on EQ.
4. Select Off to disable the Music equalizer entirely.
5. Go back to the main Settings screen and tap on Accessibility.
6. Tap on Audio & Visual.
7. Tap on Headphone Accommodations.
8. If the toggle is turned on, tap it to turn it off. This removes any custom audio enhancements applied to your headphones or earbuds.
9. Also check the Balance slider on the Audio & Visual page and make sure it is centered. If it is shifted to one side, audio will only play through one ear.

Method 3: Disable Do Not Disturb and Focus Modes

Focus modes on iPhone, including Do Not Disturb, can silence audio and notifications without you realizing it. Turning them off is a quick way to restore normal sound behavior.

1. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center.
2. Look for the Focus icon, which appears as a crescent moon or a colored circle depending on which Focus mode is active.
3. Tap on the icon to see your active Focus mode.
4. Tap Off or select None to disable all Focus modes.
5. Alternatively, go to Settings > Focus and turn off each active Focus mode from there.
6. Test your audio after disabling Focus modes to see if sound has returned to normal.

Method 4: Reset All Settings on iPhone

If nothing else has resolved the audio issue, resetting all settings on your iPhone will return every system setting, including audio, to its factory default state. This does not delete your photos, apps, or personal data, but it will clear saved Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth pairings, and other customized preferences.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on General.
3. Scroll down and tap on Transfer or Reset iPhone.
4. Tap on Reset.
5. Select Reset All Settings from the list of reset options.
6. Enter your iPhone passcode if prompted.
7. Tap Reset All Settings again to confirm.
8. Your iPhone will restart automatically once the reset is complete.
9. After the restart, test your audio to confirm it is working correctly.

Tips to Keep Your Audio Settings Working Properly

Once you have reset your audio settings, there are a few simple habits you can follow to prevent the same issues from happening again. Keeping your device’s operating system up to date is one of the most important steps, as software updates frequently include fixes for audio-related bugs. On any platform, it is also a good idea to restart your device once a week. This clears temporary files and refreshes background processes, which keeps audio and other system functions running smoothly over time.

If you use Bluetooth audio devices regularly, make sure to disconnect them properly when you are done rather than simply walking away. Leaving a stale Bluetooth connection active can interfere with your device’s audio routing and cause unexpected silence or output issues. You can also explore more in-depth audio guides and tutorials on our guides section to expand your knowledge on getting the most out of your sound setup across all your devices.

Another useful practice is to periodically check your volume levels for individual apps, particularly on Android and Windows where per-app volume control is available. It is easy to lower an app’s volume accidentally and then forget about it. A quick review of your volume mixer or sound settings every few weeks can save you a lot of troubleshooting down the road. If you are interested in working with audio files or converting formats, our MP3 converter tool is a helpful resource for handling audio files with ease.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does resetting audio settings delete my music or personal files?

No. Resetting audio settings on any platform only returns sound-related configurations to their default values. Your music, photos, apps, documents, and all other personal data remain completely untouched. The reset only affects settings like volume levels, equalizer configurations, and audio output routing.

How often should I reset my audio settings?

There is no set schedule for resetting audio settings. You should only do it when you are experiencing a sound issue that cannot be fixed through simpler adjustments like checking the volume or switching the output device. Resetting too frequently is unnecessary and can undo any custom audio preferences you have intentionally set up.

What if my audio still does not work after a reset?

If your sound remains broken after a full settings reset, the issue may be hardware-related. On Windows, try reinstalling or updating your audio driver through Device Manager. On Mac, contact Apple Support. On Android or iPhone, check whether the problem occurs with wired headphones as well. If it does, the issue is likely with the device’s internal speakers and may require a professional repair.

Can I reset audio settings on Windows without restarting my computer?

Yes. The Volume Mixer reset method and the individual device reset through More Sound Settings do not require a restart. Only the audio driver reinstallation method requires you to restart Windows afterward. Restarting the Windows Audio Service also does not require a full system restart.

Is it safe to reset NVRAM on a Mac?

Yes, resetting NVRAM is a standard troubleshooting step recommended by Apple and is completely safe for your Mac. It will not affect your files or installed applications. However, it does reset a few system settings beyond audio, including your startup disk selection and time zone, so you may need to reconfigure those after the reset.

Why does my Android phone keep routing audio to Bluetooth even after disconnecting?

This can happen if a previously paired Bluetooth device is still saved in your device’s memory. Go to Settings, open Bluetooth, and tap the settings icon next to any devices you no longer use. Select Forget Device to completely remove them. This prevents your phone from automatically reconnecting to old devices.