The Sony WH-1000XM4 is widely regarded as one of the best noise-canceling headphones available. However, even premium headphones can run into frustrating issues—especially when paired with a Windows PC. One of the most common problems users face is this: the headphones connect successfully via Bluetooth, but there is no sound.
TL;DR: If your Sony WH-1000XM4 connects to your Windows 10 or 11 PC but produces no sound, the issue is usually caused by incorrect playback device selection, disabled audio services, Bluetooth profile conflicts, outdated drivers, or misconfigured sound settings. Switch the output device, disable the Hands-Free profile, restart audio services, update Bluetooth drivers, and check app-specific sound settings. These five quick fixes solve most cases within minutes. Follow the steps below carefully for the best results.
This issue typically isn’t caused by faulty hardware. In most cases, it’s due to Windows selecting the wrong audio output or activating the incorrect Bluetooth profile. Fortunately, the fixes are straightforward if you know where to look.
Fix 1: Make Sure WH-1000XM4 Is Set as the Default Output Device
When your headphones connect but produce no sound, the most common cause is that Windows is still routing audio to another device—such as built-in speakers or a monitor.
To confirm the correct device is selected:
- Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar.
- Select Sound settings.
- Under Output, locate the dropdown menu.
- Choose Headphones (WH-1000XM4 Stereo).
Be careful here. You may see two versions of your headphones:
- WH-1000XM4 Stereo
- WH-1000XM4 Hands-Free AG Audio
Always choose the Stereo option for high-quality playback.
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If audio immediately starts working after making this change, the problem was simply incorrect output routing.
Fix 2: Disable the Hands-Free Telephony Profile
The Sony WH-1000XM4 supports two Bluetooth audio profiles:
- Stereo (A2DP) – for high-quality audio playback
- Hands-Free (HFP/HSP) – for calls with microphone support
Windows sometimes switches to the Hands-Free profile automatically, especially if an app tries to access the microphone. When this happens, audio quality drops significantly—or disappears entirely.
To disable the Hands-Free mode:
- Press Win + R and type control, then press Enter.
- Open Devices and Printers.
- Right-click WH-1000XM4 → select Properties.
- Go to the Services tab.
- Uncheck Handsfree Telephony.
- Click Apply and reconnect the headphones.
After doing this, Windows will prioritize the Stereo profile and audio playback should resume normally.
Important: If you rely on the headphone microphone for calls, you may need to re-enable this setting later.
Fix 3: Restart Windows Audio Services
Sometimes the Bluetooth connection is successful, but Windows audio services fail to initialize properly. Restarting them can restore functionality immediately.
Follow these steps:
- Press Win + R.
- Type services.msc and press Enter.
- Scroll down to Windows Audio.
- Right-click it → select Restart.
- Do the same for Windows Audio Endpoint Builder.
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Once restarted, disconnect and reconnect your WH-1000XM4.
This resolves cases where:
- Bluetooth shows “Connected” but no device activity appears in sound settings
- The volume mixer shows no output movement
- Apps play sound, but nothing reaches the headphones
Fix 4: Update or Reinstall Bluetooth and Audio Drivers
Outdated or corrupted drivers are another frequent cause of silent playback.
To update your Bluetooth driver:
- Right-click the Start button.
- Select Device Manager.
- Expand Bluetooth.
- Right-click your Bluetooth adapter.
- Select Update driver.
Choose Search automatically for drivers. If Windows finds nothing, you should visit your laptop or motherboard manufacturer’s website and download the latest driver manually.
If updating doesn’t help:
- Right-click the Bluetooth adapter.
- Select Uninstall device.
- Restart your PC.
Windows will reinstall the driver automatically upon reboot.
You should also check:
- Sound, video and game controllers in Device Manager
- Look for any warning symbols
- Update those drivers as well
Many users report that reinstalling drivers instantly restores sound after days of frustration.
Fix 5: Check App-Specific and Volume Mixer Settings
Windows allows individual apps to output sound to specific devices. Sometimes, a program may still be routed to old speakers or a disconnected device.
To verify:
- Open Settings → System → Sound.
- Scroll down and click Volume mixer.
- Look under Apps.
- Ensure each app is set to WH-1000XM4 Stereo.
If the correct device is already selected but still no sound plays:
- Close and reopen the app
- Restart your browser or media player
- Check in-app audio device settings (Zoom, Teams, Discord, etc.)
Many communication apps override system defaults, causing confusion.
Pro Tip: Also check that your headphone volume isn’t muted physically. The WH-1000XM4 uses touch controls on the right earcup, and accidental gestures can reduce volume to zero.
Additional Troubleshooting If None of the Above Works
If you’ve tried all five fixes and still experience no sound, consider the following advanced steps:
1. Remove and Re-Pair the Headphones
- Open Bluetooth & devices in Settings.
- Click the three dots next to WH-1000XM4.
- Select Remove device.
- Restart your PC.
- Pair the headphones again from scratch.
2. Reset the Sony WH-1000XM4
To perform a factory reset:
- Turn off the headphones.
- Press and hold the Power and Custom buttons simultaneously for about 7 seconds.
The indicator light will flash, signaling the reset.
3. Disable Audio Enhancements
- Open Sound settings.
- Select WH-1000XM4 Stereo.
- Click Audio enhancements.
- Turn enhancements Off.
Enhancements sometimes conflict with Bluetooth audio codecs.
Why This Problem Happens So Often
The root cause usually lies in how Windows handles Bluetooth audio. Unlike smartphones, Windows treats stereo playback and microphone input as separate Bluetooth profiles. Switching between them is not always seamless. Add background apps and driver inconsistencies to the mix, and silent playback becomes surprisingly common.
The WH-1000XM4 itself is rarely defective in these cases.
In fact, if the headphones work perfectly with your phone but fail on your PC, you can be confident the issue is software or configuration-related—not hardware.
Final Thoughts
If your Sony WH-1000XM4 connects to your Windows 10 or 11 PC but produces no sound, do not assume the headphones are broken. In almost every scenario, the solution is one of the following:
- Switching to the correct Stereo output device
- Disabling Hands-Free Telephony
- Restarting Windows audio services
- Updating or reinstalling drivers
- Correcting app output settings
Work through the fixes methodically. In most cases, audio returns within five to ten minutes.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 remains one of the most reliable wireless headphones available. With proper Windows configuration, it delivers the excellent sound quality and noise cancellation it is known for—without interruption.