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To unmute a YouTube video, start playback and click or tap the crossed-out speaker icon in the player. Then raise YouTube’s volume slider and your device’s media volume. If the speaker icon is already active but there is still no sound, the problem may be your browser, output device, app volume, or the video’s own audio track.
Unmute a YouTube video on a computer
- Start or resume the video.
- Move your pointer over the player controls.
- In the lower-left area of the player, select the speaker/volume icon. If it has a slash or cross through it, select it once to unmute.
- Drag the volume slider to the right.
- Raise your computer’s main volume and confirm that the correct speakers or headphones are selected.
The icon’s exact position can vary with the player layout, fullscreen mode, browser, and accessibility settings.
Keyboard shortcuts
On a computer, you can sometimes press M while the YouTube player has focus to toggle mute. The Up Arrow and Down Arrow keys may adjust volume. These shortcuts will not always work if the player or browser page does not have focus, so the visible speaker control is the more dependable method.
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- Play the video and tap the player to reveal its controls.
- Tap the speaker icon if it shows a muted state.
- While the video is playing, press the physical volume buttons and raise Media volume. Ringtone and notification volume are separate.
- Check whether sound is being sent to Bluetooth headphones, a car system, a cast device, or another connected output.
- If the control appears stuck, close and reopen the YouTube app. You can also test the same video in a mobile browser.
The control may appear in a different location depending on the YouTube app version, screen orientation, and fullscreen mode.
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Unmute YouTube on an iPhone or iPad
- Start playback before pressing the device’s volume buttons, so they adjust media volume.
- Tap the player’s speaker icon and make sure it is not crossed out.
- Check the output shown in Control Center. Audio may be routed to AirPods, Bluetooth headphones, a car, Apple TV, a television, or another AirPlay device.
- Raise the media volume and test again.
- If YouTube does not respond, force-close and reopen it. Testing the video in Safari or another app can show whether the issue is limited to YouTube.
The iPhone or iPad mute switch is not a universal explanation for missing YouTube media audio; behavior can vary by device, app, and operating-system state. Focus and Do Not Disturb settings are secondary checks, not the first place to look.
YouTube is unmuted but there is still no sound
Follow this order to identify where the failure is:
Rank #2
- 4K streaming made simple:With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- 4K picture quality: With Roku Streaming Stick Plus, watch your favorites with brilliant 4K picture and vivid HDR color.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- Play another YouTube video. If only one video is silent, its audio may be extremely quiet, poorly mixed, deliberately silent, or missing from the upload.
- Test another website or app. If everything is silent, check the device, speakers, headphones, operating-system volume, and output selection. If other apps work, focus on YouTube or the browser.
- Check the output device. HDMI monitors, Bluetooth devices, USB headsets, docks, virtual audio devices, and casting equipment can receive sound instead of the built-in speakers.
- Restart YouTube and the browser or device. YouTube’s official troubleshooting guidance recommends checking browser and device sound settings and restarting when necessary: YouTube Help: Troubleshoot audio or video issues.
Fix YouTube sound in Chrome
If other browsers produce sound but Chrome does not, check Chrome’s mute state and permissions before reinstalling anything.
Check whether the YouTube site is muted
Right-click the YouTube tab. If the menu says Unmute site, select it. This indicates that Chrome has muted audio for the site or tab.
Rank #3
- Stunning 4K and Dolby Vision streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Breathtaking picture quality: Stunningly sharp 4K picture brings out rich detail in your entertainment with four times the resolution of HD. Watch as colors pop off your screen and enjoy lifelike clarity with Dolby Vision and HDR10+.
- Seamless streaming for any room: With Roku Streaming Stick 4K, watch your favorite entertainment on any TV in the house, even in rooms farther from your router thanks to the long-range Wi-Fi receiver.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, so you can switch from streaming to gaming with ease. Plus, it’s designed to stay hidden behind your TV, keeping wires neatly out of sight
Check Chrome sound permissions
- Open
chrome://settings/content/soundin the address bar. - Make sure sites are allowed to play sound.
- Check whether YouTube appears in a blocked-sites list.
Chrome’s labels and settings may change. These checks are also discussed in Google’s Chrome Community troubleshooting guidance; community answers are useful suggestions, not a guarantee that one particular cause applies to every computer.
Test extensions and your Chrome profile
Open YouTube in an Incognito window. If audio works there, an extension or profile setting may be involved. Temporarily disable extensions, especially those that modify video, sound, privacy, or advertisements, and test again. This is a diagnostic comparison, not proof that an extension is responsible.
Rank #4
- The Google TV Streamer (4K) delivers your favorite entertainment quickly, easily, and personalized to you[1,2]
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- See movies and TV shows from all your services right from your home screen[2]; and find new things to watch with tailored recommendations for everyone in your home based on their interests and viewing habits
- Watch live TV and access over 800 free channels from Pluto TV, Tubi, and more[3]; if you find an interesting show or movie on your TV, mobile app, or Google search, you can easily add it to your watchlist, so it’s ready when you are[2]
- Up to 4K HDR with Dolby Vision delivers captivating, true-to-life detail[4]; and you can connect speakers that support Dolby Atmos for more immersive 3D sound
Windows: check the per-app volume mixer
- Start a YouTube video.
- Right-click the speaker icon on the Windows taskbar.
- Open Volume mixer.
- Find the browser playing YouTube and make sure it is not muted or set to zero.
- Check the browser’s assigned output device and Windows’ main output device.
Windows can assign separate volume levels and output devices to individual applications. If local audio and other applications are also silent, the issue is probably broader than YouTube. Test Windows’ own sound or another local audio file before changing browser settings.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchMac: check the selected sound output
- Open System Settings > Sound.
- Confirm that the intended output—built-in speakers, headphones, HDMI, USB, Bluetooth, or AirPlay—is selected.
- Raise output volume and make sure mute is off.
- Test another browser and another application.
- Quit and reopen the browser.
Menu names and arrangement may vary slightly by macOS release. If only YouTube is affected, also check the browser’s tab mute state and site permissions.
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- Getting set up is easy – Plug in and connect to Wi-Fi for smooth streaming.
Smart TVs, YouTube TV, and streaming devices
- Use the YouTube player’s speaker control if it is available.
- Raise the television or receiver volume and check that the TV is not muted.
- Verify the correct HDMI, eARC, optical, Bluetooth, or receiver output.
- Check the streaming device’s audio-output settings.
- Restart the YouTube app, then restart the television or streaming device if necessary.
- Open another TV app to determine whether the fault is specific to YouTube.
YouTube may also offer Stable volume or Voice boost in the player’s audio options. Stable volume balances loudness between sections, while Voice boost is intended to make dialogue easier to hear. Availability varies by video and device; neither feature can restore audio that is missing from the original upload. See YouTube’s player and audio options.
Embedded YouTube videos
An embedded player on another website may have its own controls, and the host page or browser may start it muted until you interact with it. Select the player’s speaker icon, then open the video directly on YouTube to compare results. If the direct YouTube page has sound, the issue is likely related to the embedded player or host page rather than the video itself.
When the video itself has no usable audio
If one video is silent but other videos and apps work normally, local unmuting may not help. The upload may contain no audible track, have an unusually quiet or defective mix, or have a playback-specific audio problem. A player control cannot restore sound that was never included in the source or is no longer available.
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Also distinguish a quiet video from a muted one. Move the YouTube slider up and try Stable volume or Voice boost when available, but treat these as optional audio enhancements—not repairs for missing audio.
Quick Recap
Quick troubleshooting checklist
- Uncross the YouTube speaker icon.
- Raise the YouTube volume slider.
- Raise device media volume.
- Check Bluetooth, HDMI, AirPlay, casting, USB, and monitor outputs.
- Check the browser tab/site mute state.
- Check browser permissions and Windows’ per-app Volume mixer.
- Test another video, website, or app.
- Restart YouTube, the browser, or the device.
- If only one video remains silent, consider that its source audio may be unavailable.
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