plug in speakers not working even got new speakers USB powered

Hello Mary McLaren,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A and informed us about the issue. From you description, I believed that the speaker issue could be due to the hardware, please follow the instruction below to tackle this problem:

1. Basic checks:

• Unplug the USB cable and plug the cable back in
• Try with another USB port
• Test the speaker on another device (If available)
• Check if other USB devices work with the same port on your laptop

2. Set Default Audio:

• Right-click the speaker icon on the bottom right taskbar > Sound settings > Output > Click on your speaker's name and set to active

3. Run the troubleshooter:

• Right-click speaker icon on bottom left taskbar > Troubleshoot sound problems > Follow the prompt on screen

4. Check and update driver:

• Open Device Manager (Windows + X) > Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers > Universal Serial Bus Controllers > Right-click your audio driver > Update driver > Search automatically for drivers
• In case the update still not working > Right-click on the device > Uninstall device > restart your laptop. Windows will reinstall the driver upon restart.

5. USB Management settings:

• Open Device Manager > Universal Serial Bus controllers > Right-click and select Properties on every USB Root Hub > Power Management > Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power > Repeat on every USB Root Hubs > OK

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Hello, thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A.

1. May I please know the make and model of your external speakers connected to your laptop?
2. Does the audio play through your laptop's internal speakers? Is it working fine?
3. Could you please go to Device Manager, expand Sound, Video, and Game Controllers, and provide a screenshot?

If your laptop's internal speakers are also not working, we will need to check your audio drivers.

If your speakers use a USB cable for power, do they also have a separate 3.5 mm audio cable connected for sound?

We will be waiting for your reply.