Laptop speaker problem (please help)

I would first reinstall the audio driver that came with the laptop.

If all else fails, do these steps to fix it

Grab a ubuntu live USB http://www.linuxliveusb.com/

boot into ubuntu and then see if the sound issue still happens, if it does, then examine the headphone jack.

Some headphone jacks have a built in switch where the inserting of a headphone connector causes it's tip to finish a circuit with another pin, allowing the laptop to detect a headphone and shut off the main speakers.

some other headphone jacks will have a pin that is constantly connected until a headphone jack is inserted, moving the pin away, thus stopping the flow of power to the speakers.

it it is a hardware problem, you may want to take the laptop apart then examine the headphone jack, if it seems to be in bad shape, then see if you can locate the sense pin and find out how it works, then short it to the proper contact and see if it solves the issue. if it does, then search around on ebay for a replacement jack

Then buy a desoldering wick if you don't currently have one, as well as some flux in order to ensure proper solder flow as you don't want to heat the board too much as that will damage both the motherboard and headphone jack.

I believe it may be a problem with the sound card itself, you may have to change it.

I have the same problem sometimes.

1. shut down the laptop
2. remove the battery and AC cord (no power)
3. long press the switch.
4. re-insert the battery and boot up.
5. see if it fixes the problem.
6. If not, close all Softwares playing a sound (like WMP12, iTunes, etc)
7. go to Control Panel>>Device Manager
8. then to "Sound video and game controllers"
9. right click your sound driver
10. click DISABLE
11. DO NOT RESTART THE COMPUTER
12. right click the sound driver again
13. ENABLE
14. DO NOT RESTART THE COMPUTER
15. Try playing any sound.
16. if all else fails, reinstall the audio driver by inserting the Driver Disc again.

this problem has no permanent solution, but you can always do the steps above when things happen. i guess this is due to dust inside OR something must be grounded. i don't know, but that's the way it works w/ mine.