Setting up sound devices on Windows can be a messy business, especially with driver clashes and Windows mixing up which device to use and when. If your headphones aren’t working in Windows, don’t toss them to the side. Just try some targeted troubleshooting.
Content
- 1. Isolate the Problem – Hardware or Software?
- 2. Enable Headphones and Set as Default Device
- 3. Update, Reinstall, or Replace Sound Drivers
- 4. Change the “Default Format” of Your Headphones
- 5. Choose HD Audio Over AC97
- 6. Ensure Bluetooth Is Working Correctly
- 7. Wireless Headphone Issues
- 8. Check Your App Settings
- 9. Try the Audio Problems Troubleshooter Tool
- Frequently Asked Questions
1. Isolate the Problem – Hardware or Software?
Before jumping into software settings and troubleshooting tools to fix your headphones not working Windows issues, make sure it’s not the headphones themselves.
Connect your headphones to another device to see if they work. If you’re lucky enough to have a phone with a headphone jack, that’ll do. If they don’t work, then it’s the headphones.
If they do work, try plugging in a different audio device into your PC. This just rules out audio port issues. If nothing works in the port, I’m sorry to say your audio port is shot. I’d recommend a USB audio adapter as a quick and inexpensive fix. The Sabrent USB External Stereo Sound Adapter comes in both USB-A and USB-C versions for less than $10.
One last thing, check your headphone cable. If it’s frayed or bent at a sharp angle, the cable might be ruined and it’s time for new headphones. Use it as a chance to try out a different type of headphone.
2. Enable Headphones and Set as Default Device
Let’s jump into the sound settings. I know from experience, Windows doesn’t always enable your headphones when you plug them in.
Right-click the speaker icon in the notification tray and click Sound settings. Check that Headphone (or the name of your headphones) is listed beside Choose where to play sound. If not, select your headphones in the list of available devices.
Then, click the arrow beside Headphone and ensure Don’t allow is displayed beside Audio. As confusing as this looks, this means Windows is allowed to use your headphones for audio. If it says Allow, press the button to enable your headphones.
If you don’t see your headphones in the list, then they may be disabled. In the Sound Settings window, scroll down then click More sound settings.
Open the Playback tab and right-click an empty space. Check Show Disabled Devices. Then, right-click your headphones and select Enable. Right-click one more time and choose Set as Default Device. This also works well for Bluetooth headphones.
In the future, switch between default devices by pressing Win + Ctrl + V and select your output device.
3. Update, Reinstall, or Replace Sound Drivers
If you plug your headphones into your Windows PC and get that reassuring “ding” sound, the good news is that they’re being detected at a hardware level. The bad news is that something’s going wrong at the software end in delivering the sound from the PC to the headphones.
The answer is of course, drivers, which are necessary for your headphones to work correctly. Press Win + X and select Device Manager. Expand Audio inputs and outputs. Right-click your device and select Update driver and let Windows automatically search for an update. If that doesn’t work, right-click the device and select Uninstall device. Restart your PC and let Windows reinstall it.
If you don’t see your device, check the Sound, video, and game controllers section.
If Windows doesn’t find a driver or you’re still having issues, check the manufacturer’s site for the latest headphone drivers. The site should provide instructions for installation.
As a final note, if you’ve recently updated drivers and suddenly you have headphones not working in Windows problems, right-click your headphones in Device Manager and select Properties. Choose Roll Back Driver under the Driver tab.
4. Change the “Default Format” of Your Headphones
If the sound format isn’t right, you’ll hear a whole lot of nothing when you put on your headphones. Right-click the speaker icon, select Sound settings, and click More sound settings.
Right-click your headphones and choose Properties. Open the Advanced tab and test out different Default Formats. Press the Test button each time to see if that makes a difference.
5. Choose HD Audio Over AC97
AC97 and HD Audio are two audio standards that generally connect to the front 3.5mm jack on many desktop computers. Whether your PC uses one or the other ultimately depends on which header connects your motherboard to your front sound ports.
Assuming everything is correctly hooked up on the inside (e.g. using the more recent HD Audio header, which detects devices automatically), open your audio driver tool and check the connector settings.
Please note that this isn’t an option in all audio driver tools. For instance, I only have the HP Audio Center and I can’t choose between the two standards. RealTek Audio is available on some PCs, but most users have discovered it’s difficult to find a legitimate download of the tool if they don’t already have it.
6. Ensure Bluetooth Is Working Correctly
Another issue with your headphones not working in Windows could be related to Bluetooth. Obviously, this only applies to Bluetooth headphones.
Start by ensuring your headphones are compatible with Windows in your PC. If your PC only supports Bluetooth 4.0, but your headphones are 5.0, they may not work correctly.
Press Win + X, select Device Manager, and expand Bluetooth. Look at the number beside your Bluetooth adapter. If you don’t see one, right-click it and select Properties. For instance, mine is Bluetooth 4.2.
Next, make sure Bluetooth is turned on. I know it’s simple, but I’ve run into this issue more times than I’d like to admit. Open the Start menu and search for Bluetooth. Click Bluetooth and other devices. Toggle Bluetooth to on.
It’s also possible that your built-in Bluetooth adapter has failed. Try connecting other Bluetooth devices to see if it’s just your headphones. If nothing works, you may need to buy a USB Bluetooth adapter or dongle.
If you don’t see any Bluetooth settings at all, your PC isn’t Bluetooth compatible. It’s easy enough to pick up a cheap USB Bluetooth adapter.
If your Bluetooth headphones are working, but audio’s delayed, try these troubleshooting steps instead.
7. Wireless Headphone Issues
For wireless headphones, the problem could be with the headphones themselves. A few quick things to check include:
- Make sure they’re charged. As they drop below 10-15 percent, Windows might not recognize them or they just don’t have enough juice to make sound.
- Update the firmware via the manufacturer’s website.
- Verify the headphones are actually charging. Charging cables and cases do wear out over time.
8. Check Your App Settings
Apps and online platforms are picky and don’t always work the way we think they should. I’ve jumped on far too many Zoom calls only to discover my headphones or mic wasn’t working. Turns out, it wasn’t my hardware. It was Zoom.
Before panicking, check the following in your app:
- Sound is muted
- The app’s trying to use your speakers versus headphones
- The app’s outdated and isn’t compatible with your newer headphones
9. Try the Audio Problems Troubleshooter Tool
I’ll be honest, sometimes the built-in Windows troubleshooting tools are a tad on the vague side, but if nothing else is working, what do you have to lose?
Right-click your speaker icon in the notification tray and select Troubleshoot sound problems. Follow the prompts to let Windows run the tool and take action where needed. There are also suggested community answers below the troubleshooter that may address your issue as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will USB adapters/dongles work in a USB hub?
Most newer PCs aren’t too generous when it comes to available USB ports. Even older PCs may only have a few. So if you need to add an AUX adapter and/or Bluetooth dongle, you may not have enough ports.
A USB hub may work. However, it’s generally best to use a powered USB hub. And, while connected to a hub, any devices connected via an adapter or dongle may not work as smoothly.
Can updating Windows cause issues with headphones not working?
Windows updates cause a variety of issues, many of which no one really expects, not even the developers. So, yes, an update could be your issue, especially if your headphones were working before. A simple driver update may be all that’s needed to fix the problem, though.
What if my headphones work, but the sound is terrible?
It could be the headphones just have crappy audio. Or, you may just need to make some adjustments in Windows.
Image credit: All images by Crystal Crowder
Crystal Crowder –
Staff Writer
Crystal Crowder has spent over 15 years working in the tech industry, first as an IT technician and then as a writer. She works to help teach others how to get the most from their devices, systems, and apps. She stays on top of the latest trends and is always finding solutions to common tech problems.
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