The following guides are meant to walk a user through some processes that will help in troubleshooting sound issues in the library and Multimedia Lab. If you require any assistance during these processes, please reach out to a library staff member.
If you are having issues hearing the sound from your computer, then you may need to adjust the volume levels. This slideshow will walk you through the process of adjusting the volume on the computer.
Click on the speaker icon in the bottom right of the screen.
A slider should pop up above the icon.
Click and drag the slider to the desired volume level.
Raising the volume will unmute the audio. There should be a chime when the mouse is released. If you do not hear this chime, continue on to "Making Headphones the Default Device."
If you have made the headphones the default device and have adjusted your volume but still do not hear the chime, you may have a problem with your headphones.This slideshow will walk you through the process of checking you headphones for issues.
Unplug your headphones from the computer and check them using another audio playback device (like your phone or an MP3 player). Ask a staff member for assistance in this process.
If your headphones are working on this device then restart your computer. If your headphones do not work on this device then you may need to try a new pair of headphones. A pair can be borrowed at the Circulation Desk with a valid photo ID during your visit to the library, if needed.
Once your computer has restarted and you have logged in, plug your headphones back into the headphone jack on the front of the computer.
A window should pop up asking what type of device you have plugged in.
Select “Headphones."
Click “OK.”
Set the headphones as default and check your audio by adjusting the volume. If you do not hear a chime once you’ve adjusted the volume, there may be a problem with your computer. Let a Library staff member know of the issue and switch to another machine.
If you are using headphones but are having issues hearing the sound from your computer and you've adjusted your audio, then you may need to set the headphones to default. This slideshow will walk you through the process of setting your headphones to default on the computer.
Click on the start icon.
Type “Sound” into the search bar at the bottom of the Start Menu.
Select “Sound” under the control panel options.
A new window will pop up showing a list of the available audio devices.
Look for the device “Speakers/Headphones” in the list.
If you do not see this option, make sure your headphones are plugged into the correct port.
Select “Speakers/Headphones.” It should become highlighted in blue.
Click “Set Default” at the bottom of the window.
A green circle with a white check mark should appear over the “Speaker/Headphones” device. This means the headphones have been made the default device for your computer.
Click “OK” to exit the window. Check your audio by adjusting the volume as explained in the preceding tab. If you do not hear a chime once you’ve adjusted the volume, continue on to "Checking your Headphones."
Borrow a pair for two hours!
If you have adjusted your computer’s volume and you do hear a chime but you still cannot hear your media, you will need to check for any additional volume controls on the website, application, or media player. The tabs above will show you examples of audio controls on some of the most common players. Videos posted on Blackboard or other online applications vary on where their volume control settings are. Generally you should look for volume control icons that are similar to the Facebook and YouTube icons.
YouTube volume controls are located on the bottom left of the video player and look similar to the volume icon on the computer:
Audio Icon: 
Mute Icon: 
Facebook volume controls are located on the bottom right of the video player and look similar to Youtube and computer volume icons. Depending on your personal settings, these videos are sometimes set to mute by default:
Audio Icon: 
Mute Icon: 
Vimeo volume controls are located on the bottom right of the video player and look similar to cell signal icons on a cell phone:
Audio Icon: 
Mute Icon: 
VLC Media Player volume controls are located on the bottom right of the video player:
Audio Icon: 
Mute Icon: 
Quicktime volume controls are located on the bottom left of the video player:
Audio Icon: 
Mute Icon: 
Windows Media Player volume controls are located on the bottom of the video player, near the center:
Audio Icon: 
Mute Icon: 
