League of Legends No Sound Fix: In-Game Audio, Client Alerts, and Headset Output

League of Legends Audio Guide

Fix League of Legends sound not working when YouTube and Discord work, including in-game mute, client alerts, Windows Volume Mixer, app output devices, HDMI audio, Bluetooth headsets, and Riot Client repair.

Last updated: July 14, 2026

If League of Legends has no sound but YouTube, Discord, or Windows system sounds work, the headset is usually not the first thing to blame. League may be muted inside the game, muted separately in Windows Volume Mixer, or routed to a different output device such as a monitor, Bluetooth hands-free profile, or disconnected headset.

League also has more than one audio context. The Riot Client, the League client lobby, champion select alerts, and the actual in-game process may appear as different app entries in Windows. That means client alerts can be muted while in-game audio works, or the match can be silent while the client still makes sounds.

Fastest no-sound fix order

Check League in-game sound settings → open Windows Volume Mixer while League is actually running → unmute Riot Client, LeagueClient, and League of Legends entries → set each app output to the headset or speakers → confirm the Windows default output device → disable audio enhancements and spatial sound → restart Windows Audio services → reconnect Bluetooth or USB headsets → update audio drivers → run Riot Client Full Repair only after settings are confirmed.

Do not reinstall first

Most League audio problems are caused by app volume, output routing, device switching, Bluetooth mode, or Windows audio settings. Reinstalling the game is a late step, not the first fix.

Contents

Separate in-game audio from client alerts
Check League in-game sound settings
Check Windows Volume Mixer
Set League app output device
Fix default output and HDMI audio
Disable audio enhancements and spatial sound
Restart Windows Audio services
Fix Bluetooth and USB headset sound
Compare exclusive mode and audio format
Update or reinstall audio drivers
Fix client alert sound only
Run Riot Client Full Repair
Use the final checklist
Frequently asked questions

Separate In-Game Audio From Client Alerts

Before changing drivers, confirm which part of League is silent. Use Practice Tool or a custom game for in-game audio, and use the lobby or queue screen for client alerts.

Where you test	Sound to check	Most likely setting
Riot Client login screen	Riot Client interface sounds	Riot Client app volume or output device
League lobby or champion select	Queue pop, lobby, champion select, and notification sounds	LeagueClient volume or client sound setting
Practice Tool or match	Abilities, attacks, announcer, music, and pings	In-game audio sliders or League of Legends app output
YouTube, Discord, or system sounds	Other app audio	Shows whether the problem is League-only or device-wide
Bluetooth headset after mic use	Game audio quality or missing sound	Bluetooth output profile, hands-free mode, or device reconnect

League of Legends no sound fix for in-game audio client alerts headset output and volume mixer

Open Volume Mixer while the sound should be playing

The in-game League app entry may appear only after a match or Practice Tool has launched. Checking the mixer only from the lobby can miss the in-game sound process.

1. Check League In-Game Sound Settings

Enter Practice Tool or a custom game.
Press Esc.
Open the Sound or Audio menu.
Make sure Master Volume is not set to 0.
Check Sound Effects, Music, Voice, Announcer, and Ping volume separately.
Make sure “disable all sound” or similar mute options are not enabled.
Apply the settings and restart League once.

Only one type of sound missing?

If music works but ability sounds, attacks, announcer voice, or pings are missing, check the individual in-game volume sliders before changing Windows drivers.

2. Check Windows Volume Mixer

Windows saves app volume separately. League can be muted even when browser audio and system sounds work.

Open the League client or enter Practice Tool.
Open Settings → System → Sound → Volume mixer.
Look for Riot Client, LeagueClient, and League of Legends entries.
Make sure none of them are muted.
Raise each app volume slider.
If the app is missing, create a moment where the client or game should play sound, then check again.
Restart League after changing app volume.

System volume is not enough

Your headset can be loud in YouTube while League is muted in the app mixer. Always check the specific League app entry.

3. Set League App Output Device

After changing from speakers to a headset, Windows may keep League routed to the old output device. Check the app-specific output device, not only the global Windows output.

Open Settings → System → Sound → Volume mixer.
Find LeagueClient or League of Legends.
Set Output device to the headset or speaker you actually use.
Check Riot Client separately if client alerts are missing.
Close Riot Client and League fully.
Launch the client again and test the same sound.

Client and match audio can route differently

The lobby sound can come from one app entry while the actual match audio comes from another. Check both when one side works and the other is silent.

4. Fix Default Output and HDMI Audio

Open Settings → System → Sound.
Under Output, select your headset or speaker.
Open More sound settings.
In the Playback tab, set the headset or speaker as the default device.
Check whether NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel display audio is selected instead.
If sound is going to the monitor, switch back to the headset.
Restart League after changing the default device.

HDMI audio can be selected after driver or monitor changes

A monitor without speakers can still appear as an audio output. If League is routed there, the game can look normal but sound silent.

5. Disable Audio Enhancements and Spatial Sound

Audio enhancement software can reduce volume, distort effects, or route game audio incorrectly. Test with extra processing turned off.

Open Settings → System → Sound.
Select your output device.
Turn Audio enhancements off.
Set Spatial sound to Off for the first test.
Close Dolby, DTS, Nahimic, Sonic Studio, headset surround, or virtual 7.1 tools.
Restart League and enter Practice Tool.
If sound returns, re-enable tools one at a time to find the conflict.

Want better positional audio instead?

This article focuses on missing audio. For FPS drops and game performance, use the League teamfight FPS guide after restoring normal sound.

6. Restart Windows Audio Services

When only some apps lose sound, restarting Windows audio services can clear a temporary app-audio routing problem.

Close League, Riot Client, Discord, and recording apps.
Press Windows + R.
Type services.msc.
Right-click Windows Audio and choose Restart.
Right-click Windows Audio Endpoint Builder and choose Restart.
Restart League and test again.

This interrupts current audio sessions

Restarting audio services can briefly stop voice chat, recordings, and media playback. Do it after leaving the match or during a safe test session.

7. Fix Bluetooth and USB Headset Sound

Bluetooth headsets

Select the Bluetooth headset as the Windows output device.
Check that League’s app output is also set to the headset.
Turn Bluetooth off and on.
Remove the headset and pair it again.
Update Bluetooth and audio drivers.
Close Discord or voice chat apps and test whether League sound returns.
Compare a wired headset to confirm whether the issue is Bluetooth-specific.

USB headsets

Connect the headset directly to the PC, not an unpowered hub.
Try a different USB port.
Open the headset control app and check channel or surround settings.
Reconnect the headset before launching League.
Restart League after changing ports or devices.

Connected does not always mean selected

A Bluetooth device can show as connected while Windows or League still uses speakers, HDMI audio, or another headset as the output.

8. Compare Exclusive Mode and Default Audio Format

Use this only after volume, output device, enhancements, and services have been checked.

Open More sound settings.
Double-click the output device in the Playback tab.
Open the Advanced tab.
Test with exclusive mode disabled.
Compare another supported default format.
If nothing improves, return to the original or manufacturer-recommended format.
Restart League and test again.

Do not force one sample rate on every device

Headsets and sound cards support different formats. A setting that works for one device can cause problems on another.

9. Update or Reinstall Audio Drivers

Press Windows + X.
Open Device Manager.
Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
Check your audio device, headset, Bluetooth adapter, or sound card.
Update the driver.
Check Windows Update optional drivers only when relevant.
Use the PC, motherboard, headset, or sound-card manufacturer’s driver when needed.
Restart Windows after the driver change.

Problem started right after a driver update?

Check whether the device properties allow a driver rollback, or install a stable manufacturer version instead of repeatedly reinstalling the same driver.

10. Client Alert Sound Not Working

If in-game audio works but queue pop, lobby, or champion-select alerts are missing, focus on the client rather than the match process.

Open the League client settings.
Check whether client sound is enabled.
Open Windows Volume Mixer while the client should make sound.
Unmute LeagueClient and Riot Client.
Set the client app output device to your headset.
Compare low-spec mode or close-client-during-game settings if you changed them recently.
Exit Riot Client completely and launch it again.

If in-game sound works, reinstalling is usually unnecessary

Client alert problems are often fixed through LeagueClient volume, output device, and client settings.

11. Run Riot Client Full Repair

Use repair after confirming Windows output, app volume, device routing, and drivers. Repair is useful when League-specific audio assets or client files may be damaged.

Open Riot Client.
Sign in.
Open settings.
Select League of Legends.
Choose Repair or Full Repair.
Keep the client open until it finishes.
Restart Windows.
Test Practice Tool and client alerts separately.

League No Sound Checklist

Step 1 — Check whether the missing sound is in-game, client-only, or device-wide.

Step 2 — Check League in-game volume and mute settings.

Step 3 — Open Volume Mixer while the silent part of League is running.

Step 4 — Unmute Riot Client, LeagueClient, and League of Legends entries.

Step 5 — Set app output to the correct headset or speakers.

Step 6 — Fix HDMI, monitor, Bluetooth, or USB output selection.

Step 7 — Disable audio enhancements and spatial sound for comparison.

Step 8 — Restart Windows Audio services after leaving the match.

Step 9 — Update or roll back audio and Bluetooth drivers if needed.

Step 10 — Run Riot Client Full Repair only after audio routing and Windows settings are confirmed.

Key takeaway

When only League has no sound, check the app-specific Windows Volume Mixer and output device before reinstalling. Client alerts and in-game audio can use different app entries, so test both states separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does YouTube work but League has no sound?

League may be muted separately in Windows Volume Mixer or routed to a different output device. Check Riot Client, LeagueClient, and League of Legends app entries.

Why does the client make sound but the match is silent?

The client and actual game can appear as separate app entries. Enter Practice Tool and check the League of Legends entry in Volume Mixer while the match is running.

Why do queue pop and champion select alerts have no sound?

Check client sound settings, LeagueClient volume, Riot Client volume, and app-specific output device. In-game drivers are not the first place to look.

Why is sound coming from my monitor instead of my headset?

HDMI or DisplayPort audio may be selected as the default output. Change the Windows default output and League app output to the headset.

Why does my Bluetooth headset connect but League is silent?

Windows may not be using it as the audio output, or League may be routed elsewhere. Select the Bluetooth device as output, re-pair it if needed, and compare a wired headset.

Should I disable audio enhancements?

It is a safe comparison step. If sound returns, re-enable enhancement tools one at a time to identify the specific conflict.

Should I reinstall League to fix no sound?

Only after checking in-game sound, Volume Mixer, app output, default device, Bluetooth or USB headset behavior, audio services, and drivers. Run Riot Client Full Repair before reinstalling.

Related guides

Official references