Headphones Recognized as Speakers on Windows 11 [Fix]

Follow the tested methods below to solve the issue in no time

3 min. read

Updated onOctober 21, 2024

updated onOctober 21, 2024

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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:

If you’ve connected your headphones but Windows 11 recognizes them as speakers, the sound will still play through the speakers, even though the headphones are plugged in.

What causes headphones to be named speakers are usually outdated audio drivers, boot errors, or faulty hardware. Luckily, none of these are unsolvable, and below we’ll explain all you can do, step-by-step.

How do I fix my headphones being detected as speakers?

1. Update the audio driver

If there are any updates, the installation wizard will install them automatically. Restart your computer after the installation is complete.

If Device Manager won’t detect new drivers or the process seems to complicated, you can use a third-party tool instead. Software such as PC Helpsoft Driver updater will simplify the process and keep your drivers updated in the long term with the help of scheduled scans.

⇒Get PC HelpSoft Driver Updater

2. Restart your computer

Restarting your computer will help fix any boot errors that may prompt audio mistakes.

3. Uninstall Realtek drivers on your computer

Restart the computer. Windows will have the proper drivers installed on the next startup. Hence, whatever causes Windows to think headphones are speakers will be fixed.

Users may be interested in reading our article about how to fixRealtek audio issues in Windows computers.

4. Set Headphones as the default audio device

We recommend you restart your device for proper syncing of the changes.

The above fixes are the most efficient ways to solve the problem if Windows thinks headphones are speakers. Ensure to follow the steps strictly for optimal results.

However, we recommend you check our article about the causes and fixes forno speaker or headphones plugged-in issues. So, you can check out ourlist of the best speakers for PC.

If you have any questions or suggestions, you can leave them in the comments section below.

Headphones Recognized as Speakers on Windows 11 [Fix]#

How do I fix my headphones being detected as speakers?#

1. Update the audio driver#

2. Restart your computer#

3. Uninstall Realtek drivers on your computer#

4. Set Headphones as the default audio device#