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Headphones not Working in Windows 10: Diagnose & Fix
Check the playback devices settings and the sound drivers first.
5 min. read
Updated onSeptember 12, 2024
updated onSeptember 12, 2024
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Key notes
To fix various driver issues on your PC, you will need a dedicated tool to find the freshest and the original drivers. You can use PC HelpSoft Driver Updater to do it in 3 easy steps:
Have you ever connected your headphones ready to tune to your favorite jam, or privately watch a movie, just to see that nothing happens? Sometimes, headphones are not detected in Windows 10, so they simply won’t work.
It’s easy to get frustrated if Windows 10 won’t recognize the headphones. However, there are various solutions to resolving the issue and getting you back on track.
But first, let’s make sure you’re up to date with what you’re up against.
Here are some frequent issues that our readers reported in connection with headphones not being detected in Windows 10 and more.
Why don’t my headphones work when I plug in my computer?
There can be many possible culprits behind this. From outdated or broken drivers to an improper configuration for your speakers or faulty USB ports, everything can be responsible for Windows not detecting headphones.
?Why are my headphones connected but no sound Windows 10?
Here’s another interesting scenario. Sometimes,headphones are detected, but there is no sound on Windows.
While connectivity errors (impacting Bluetooth, for instance) are common, the problem is most likely software-related.
How do I fix headphones if not recognized in Windows 10?
1. Update audio/sound driver
1.1. Update your audio/sound drivers manually
1.Typecontrolin Windows search and click onControl Panelfrom the results.
2.Click onSound.
3.Go to thePlaybacktab.
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Select your headphones and click onProperties.
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Go toController Information,then click on thePropertiesbutton.
6.Click onChange Settings(this may require administrator permission).
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Go toDrivertab.
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SelectUpdate Driver.
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Choose to automatically download the update and wait for the process to finish.
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Once the process is complete, plug in your headphones to check whether they work.
Given the fact that the most likely culprit for your headphones not working on your Windows 10 device is a faulty driver, you should first update your audio driver.
1.2. Update audio/sound driver using a utility tool
Downloading drivers manually is a process that carries the risk of getting the wrong driver installed, which may lead to serious malfunctions.
The safer and easier way to update drivers on a Windows computer is by using anautomatic driver updating tool.
These tools can get the job done in just a few seconds and clicks because they will repair and update your drivers automatically.
2. Disable front panel jack detection
This is one of the simplest ways to resolve the Windows 10 won’t recognize headphones issue.
If you have the Realtek software installed on your computer or laptop, follow the steps above to disable the headphone jack detection.
Try on your headphones again to see whether this solution works for you. Don’t worry, we have more nifty hacks for you to try if theaudio jack is not working at all.
If disabling the front panel jack detection doesn’t fix the Windows 10 won’t recognize headphones issue, try the next solution.
3. Change the default sound format
Another reason why your headphones may not be recognized by Windows 10 is the sound format. If this is not set correctly, then you may have the same problem over and over.
Try plugging in your headphones again to check if this solution fixes the Windows 10 won’t recognize headphones issue.
4. Set the headphone as a default playback device to fix
If changing the default sound format doesn’t work for you, try setting your headphone as the default playback device using the steps above.
If Windows 10 headphones are not detected, here’s a concentrated check-up list for you to hang on to:
Once you follow all these steps, plug in your headphones again and check if they’re working. If the problem persists, here’s what to do if thePC says that no headphones are plugged in.
We hope that these solutions helped you to fix the headphones not detected in Windows 10 error.
If you’ve come across other solutions to fix this problem, you can list the troubleshooting steps in the comments below.
More about the topics:Fix audio issues,Headphones issues
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.
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Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.
