Try this if you have not, right click the speaker icon on the taskbar and select "Playback Devices" Left click the default device to highlight it, ( it's usually speakers and headphones) then click the properties button, click the enhancements tab and put a tick in the box next to "Loudness Equalization" click apply, save changes and ok, in all remaining windows.

Or less complexity and perhaps easier is to right click the speaker icon and then left click on Open Volume Mixer. Push all the sliders to the top.

Snidely, they were all turned up. When I checked them from there you could clearly hear the "ding", but when I tried to play music, nada. I can never hear anything on YouTube and very soft sound on most CNN videos.

aputernut I did everything you said, nothing.

I am taking it back to the repair shop, I get free service for life, so it doesn't cost me anything.

Thanks guys!

Did you run the Playing Audio Troubleshooter?

DA

"I get free service for life"...........maybe you should be worried?

Did you check the volume level in the player itself? If you hover over the volume icon, it will open up and you can check to see if it is either muted or turned way down.

My HP has keyboard volume controls. I don't know if they will over ride your other settings, but if you hit the f7 key, that could decrease your volume. F8 brings volume up.

I have tried everything everyone has suggested and still can't hear music or most audio clips.

Thomasxz I get free service for life because a guy I used to work with now works with Data Doctors and gave me free help for as long as I own the computer although I still have to purchase parts. There is no need for sarcasm. I would rather help myself than lose my computer for a few days to the shop for repairs.

Chas045, everything related to volume that I found is at 100%. I, do use the F keys for volume and muting but my keys are F9 and F10 for volume, F11 and F12 are mute and unmute.

mxyplux, why would I worry?

DA McCoy, what is the link to Playing Audio Troubleshooter?

Thank you to all that have been helpful, and to those of you who have nothing to add there is no need to reply.

Windows 8.1 search using keyword troubleshooter. Click on appearing entry. Click on Find and Fix Problems on appearing menu. Under Hardware and Sound select troubleshoot audio playback.

A stab in the dark for you to try.

DA

Ah, DA, it is so good to see you here. And your suggestion worked! I have tunes and the news again!

I was with GardenWeb since the first day of its inception, then when Spike sold it to iVillage and now this. There is a bigger pool of advice with this site, but the trolls seem to have followed us as well. Good to have a friend from "the old school"!

-Formerly Michelle S PhxAZ

Glad to see things worked out for you Michelle, and it has been my pleasure as always.

Though my account has me with GW since 2001 I actually been here since 1998. I was one of a small block of members whose account disappeared, and I had to re-register.

Yes there are familiar faces, but not too many old-timers. It seems the old-timers have either moved on to bigger and better things, or as one told me in an e-mail not all that long ago, "had enough of the crap".

DA

Sue,

Remember my "mantra"`.............? "Self help first."

DA

DA, I definitely do remember that, even though my memory fails me a lot these days. We have to keep on keeping on.
Sue

I might visit HP support for my model number and download & re-install the Audio Driver. Two of my laptops have enhancements installed with the driver that make it louder than the realtek or whoever's drivers.