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Plus, tips to fix low volume issues
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This wikiHow guide teaches you how to raise your computer's volume. Both Windows and Mac computers have a combination of built-in hardware options and system settings that you can use to change the volume. If you're using a desktop Windows computer instead of a laptop, you'll usually need to use your external speakers' volume controls to increase your computer's volume. If your speakers aren’t loud enough even at 100%, there are a few things you can try.
Controlling Volume on Windows & Mac
- On Windows, click the volume icon in the taskbar to adjust the volume.
- On Mac, click the volume icon in the menu bar to change the volume.
- On laptops, press the volume up button on the keyboard.
Steps
Section 1 of 3:
On Windows 10 or 11
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Use your computer's or speaker's volume buttons. Where these buttons are located depends on your computer setup. See these common setups below:
- Laptops come with volume control buttons. This is usually in one of two places: the side of the housing or integrated into the keyboard keys. Pressing the “volume up” button will increase the Windows volume.
- For desktop computers, your external keyboard may have volume buttons. Check the function row for speaker icons. Pressing the “volume up” button will increase the Windows volume.
- Desktop computers typically use external speakers, so you'll have to use the rotating dial or "volume up" button on the speaker assembly. For some speakers, this will change the speaker’s max output, not the Windows volume setting.
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Try using the keyboard shortcuts. If your laptop has a volume icon on or above one of the function keys (e.g., F12 ) at the top of the keyboard, you may be able to press the right-most volume key to increase your computer's volume.
- On some computers, you'll need to hold down Fn while doing this.
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Use the "Volume" slider. You can adjust your computer's volume from the taskbar. To do so:
- Click the volume icon in the lower-right corner of the screen.
- Click and drag the slider to the right in the pop up window.
- On Windows 11, clicking the volume icon opens the Quick Settings menu, where you can use the volume slider.
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Open Start . Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
- The following steps are only necessary if you're having trouble adjusting or hearing your computer's audio using the above steps.
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Open the Control Panel. To do so:
- Type control panel in the Windows Search
- Select the Control Panel app.
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Open the Sound menu from the Control Panel. To do so:
- Type sound in the top-right search box.
- Click Sound . It has a speaker icon. This will open the Sound window with four tabs at the top.
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Click the Playback tab. It's at the top of the Sound window.
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Select your computer's speakers. Click the "Speakers" option to do so.
- Depending on your computer's speakers, you may see the speakers' name or brand here instead.
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Click Properties . This option is in the lower-right side of the window. Doing so opens a pop-up window.
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Click the Levels tab. It's at the top of the pop-up “Speaker Properties” window.
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Drag the slider to the right. This will increase your speakers' output volume.
- If the slider is already at 100 percent, your computer's volume is as high as it can go.
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Save your changes. Click OK at the bottom of both open Sound windows to do so. Your computer's volume should now be higher.
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Section 2 of 3:
On Mac
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Use your Mac's keyboard buttons. Pressing the F12 key at the top of your Mac's keyboard will increase the volume by one tick.
- If your Mac has a touch bar, open Finder to prompt the correct options to appear, then tap the "Volume Up" icon on the right side of the touch bar.
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Use the menu bar's "Sound" menu. Click the Volume icon in the top-right corner of the screen, then click and drag the volume slider up to increase your Mac's volume.
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Open the Apple menu . Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
- The following steps are only necessary if you're having trouble adjusting or hearing your computer's audio using the above steps.
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Click System Preferences… . It's in the drop-down menu. The System Preferences window will open.
- In macOS Ventura and later, this is called System Settings .
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Click Sound . You'll see this speaker-shaped icon in the System Preferences window. Doing so opens a pop-up window.
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Click the Output tab. It's at the top of the Sound pop-up window.
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Click Internal Speakers . This option is near the top of the window.
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Increase your Mac's volume. Click and drag right the "Output volume" slider at the bottom of the window. This will increase your Mac's speakers' output volume. [1] X Research source
- If the "Mute" checkbox has a checkmark in it, click the checkbox to un-mute your computer.
- Closing this menu will save your settings.
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Tips
- If you’re also trying to make your smartphone louder, check out our Android guide and iPhone guide for increasing the volume.Thanks
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Warnings
- If you have a headphone jack (or similar) plugged into your computer's audio out port, you'll need to unplug it before you can use your computer's speakers.Thanks
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References
About This Article
Article Summary
X
1. Click the speaker icon near the clock.
2. Drag the slider left or down to decrease.
3. Drag the slider right or up to increase.
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