The answer to this question depends on the computer’s motherboard, its configuration, and the installed software.

Disabling the internal speaker

Software

If you’re running Microsoft Windows, you can disable the internal speaker or PC speaker by following the steps below.

These steps are for enabling the internal speaker that makes basic noises. If you have problems with playing music or sound in videos, see: Why do my computer speakers not work?

  • Disabling the internal speaker

  • Enabling the internal speaker

  • Software

  • Motherboard jumper

  • Motherboard cable

  • Open the Device Manager

  • In Device Manager, click View and select Show hidden devices. Once done, Non plug and play Drivers becomes visible in Device Manager.

  • Expand Non plug and play Drivers by clicking the plus and double-click Beep.

  • In the Beep properties window, click the Driver tab.

  • On the Driver tab, if you want to temporarily disable this device, click the Stop button. If you want to permanently disable this device, under the Startup type, select Disabled.

Motherboard jumper

If the steps above don’t disable the internal speaker (i.e., there’s no Non plug and play Drivers section), the internal speaker can be disabled by the motherboard jumpers. Many motherboard manufacturers have jumpers that, when jumped or not jumped, enable or disable the onboard speaker.

If you do not see a Non plug and play Drivers section in the Device Manager, skip to the Motherboard jumper section below.

All motherboards are different. Refer to the motherboard’s documentation to determine if your motherboard has such a jumper, and how it should be set.

Motherboard cable

Some motherboards do not have an onboard speaker and instead use a computer case speaker that can be removed to disable the speaker. Refer to the motherboard or computer’s documentation to determine if your computer is set up this way.

Enabling the internal speaker

If you are running Microsoft Windows, you can enable the internal speaker or PC speaker by following the steps below.

  • In the Beep properties window, click the Driver tab.
  • On the Driver tab, if you want to temporarily enable this device, click the Start button. If you want to permanently enable this device, under the Startup type, select System.

If the steps above don’t disable the internal speaker (i.e., there’s no Non plug and play Drivers section), the internal speaker can be disabled by the motherboard jumpers. Many motherboard manufacturers have jumpers that when jumped or not jumped enable or disable the onboard speaker.

If the internal speaker does not work after enabling it through the Device Manager, the internal speaker may be defective and non-functional. In this case, usually, a motherboard replacement is merited, as it is very difficult to replace the internal speaker on the motherboard.

All motherboards are different. Refer to the motherboard documentation to determine if your motherboard has such a jumper and what its setting should be.

If the internal speaker doesn’t work after enabling it with a jumper, the internal speaker may be defective and non-functional. In this case, the motherboard would need to be replaced or repaired by a technician.

  • Why do my computer speakers not work?
  • How to turn off or disable computer speakers.
  • See our internal speaker and speaker definitions for further information and related links.
  • Motherboard help and support.