Windows Media Player has no sound?

My speakers are working, and I have no idea where to look to see what
has changed in WMP, because I haven't used it in several months.

I have no intention of upgrading to WinX, and after weeks of MS changing
descriptions of updates from Optional, to Recommended, to Important,
and/or dropping any useful descriptions ... I got tired of spending my
days chasing info on them and stopped them altogether.

I know the security risks, etc., but I'm wondering if I had already
installed some updates affecting WMP? Anyone have any suggestions on
what I should check and or anything I can do to restore WMP on my Win7 pc?

If MS has succeeded in disabling my WMP use, they are just moving me
closer to the date I switch to Linux or Apple.

Barbara