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FIX: Alarm sound not working in Windows 10/11

7 min. read

Updated onOctober 3, 2024

updated onOctober 3, 2024

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As time goes by personal computers evolve more and eliminate the need for other equipment likeTVs, a home theatre setup, audio stations, and even alarm clocks.

ButPCsaren’t always that reliable and when you’re trusting it with your daily schedule and job you want to make sure it works as expected.

If your alarm sound is not working properly inWindows 10, that can be a big problem, and speaking of problems, here are some similar issues that users reported:

In this article, we’ll show you how to troubleshoot problems with the Alarm & Clock application inWindows 10.

How can I fix the Alarm sound not working on Windows 10?

1. Check sound card driver

To ensure that audio issues don’t appear on your system, it’s highly advised to update your audiodrivers.

You can do that manually by searching for the audiodriversfor your sound card.

However, this can be a bit tedious, so a faster solution would be to use a third-party software such asPC HelpSoft Driver Updater.

This software is portable and extremely easy to use. Once installed, it will automatically download all the missingdriverswith just a single click.

It will also keep you safe from downloading and installing the wrong driver versions, thus potentially damaging your system.

Moreover, PC HelpSoft Driver Updater will compare the existing drivers on your system with the ones from its built-in library, to make sure it has identified and fixed all broken or missing drivers.

PC HelpSoft Driver Updater

2. Check the volume and speakers

The sound volume is something we fiddle with all the time, turning it up when listening to a song and turning it down when we want to concentrate on work.

It is always a good thing to check that it is at the correct level before setting up the alarm.

If you’re usingexternal speakersyou might also want to check their volume status and that they are turned on.

It’s easy to forget them turned off when you don’t use them. Also, check that headphones aren’t connected to the computer as the alarm sound might play on them and will be hard to hear.

3. Activate the alarm

Alarms need to be activated in order for them to work and even though this seems like a logical step you might forget about it if you’re in a rush or very tired.

The status of each alarm is displayed on the right side of the Alarm & Clock application as you can see in the image below.

4. Prevent your PC from hibernating or going to sleep

If you’re using a laptop and you usually keep the lid down, make sure it doesn’t go to sleep when you close it.

If you’re using a laptop or a tablet also make sure that it is plugged in so it won’t shutdown when the battery level gets too low.

Alarms won’t work if your computer isn’t turned on. Also, they won’t work if you put it in sleep mode or to hibernate.

You could activate a timer inside your BIOS to wake up your computer at the correct time but not all computers support this feature and you might also need to login to Windows before alarms can be processed.

You can check your power options by clicking on theStart menu buttonand selectingSettings.

5. Make sure that your notifications are enabled

After doing that, the notifications should be completely enabled and the problem will be resolved entirely.

6. Reinstall Alarm and Clock app

7. Install Media Feature pack

There are several versions ofWindows 10available, and the versions for the European and Korean markets lack certain features.

Sometimes due to the lack of these features, the alarm sound might not work properly on yourPC.

However, these features are available for download in form of Media Feature Pack. To fix this issue, you just have todownload Media Feature Packfrom Microsoft’s website and the problem should be resolved.

Keep in mind that you’ll need to download the media feature pack that matches your system architecture or else you won’t be able to install it.

After you install the Media Feature pack, the problem should be resolved. Some users are suggesting to reinstall the Alarm and Clock app after installing the Media Feature pack, so you might want to try that as well.

8. Try changing the alarm sound

According to users, sometimes certain alarm sounds won’t work with the Alarm and Clock app. If that the case, you won’t hear any alarm sound when your alarm rings.

This can be an annoying issue, but simply change your alarm sound and check if that helps.

According to users, only the default alarm sound works for them, so be sure to try using it as your alarm sound.

9. Make sure that Focus Assist is turned off

After doing that, this feature should be disabled and you’ll be able to hear your alarm without any problems.

If you want to keep using this feature, you can select Alarms only option and you’ll be able to hear your alarms without any problems.

10. Install the latest updates

After you download the updates, restart yourPCto install them.

Once your system is up to date, check if the problem with the alarm sound is still there.

11. Try a different application

If all else fails you could also try using a different application. If you’re connected to the Microsoft Store you can download theAlarm Clock HD app.

Its a nice little application with great feedback and it can even be installed on ARM devices running Windows RT.

If you want to go the old fashioned way then you can use an application calledWindows Alarms & Clock, the application is free of charge and can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store.

If you’re still facing problems with alarms inWindows 10please use the comment section below to give us more details so we can help you fix them.

FIX: Alarm sound not working in Windows 10/11#

How can I fix the Alarm sound not working on Windows 10?#

1. Check sound card driver#

PC HelpSoft Driver Updater#

2. Check the volume and speakers#

3. Activate the alarm#

4. Prevent your PC from hibernating or going to sleep#

5. Make sure that your notifications are enabled#

6. Reinstall Alarm and Clock app#

7. Install Media Feature pack#

8. Try changing the alarm sound#

9. Make sure that Focus Assist is turned off#

10. Install the latest updates#

11. Try a different application#