We all plug headphones into our Windows 10 computers for entertainment and work. Whether you want to watch movies, listen to music or participate in an online conference, headsets are a must. Sometimes this popular accessory is not recognized on your computer because the headphone jack does not work.
This is less likely, but some Windows users have complained about it. Sometimes the defect is in the device itself and a visit to a repair shop is necessary to fix it. But with any luck, bypass software can fix the headphone jack quickly.
14 Solutions for fixing the headset jack on Windows 10 that doesn’t work
Software causes of headphone jack problems include outdated media, incorrect sound settings, and system errors. You can get rid of all these problems by going through the following solutions.
1. Make sure the headphones are connected and working properly.
A bad connection can cause problems when using headphones, so make sure they are connected properly. Also, make sure the headphones or earphones you are using are working. You can check this by connecting it to another PC or mobile phone. If it works fine in this case, it should work on your computer.
Once you are convinced of the above two things, you can move on to some solutions to solve the problem that the headphone jack is not working.
2. Restart the computer
Occasionally, temporary interference may cause the headphone jack to malfunction. In such scenarios, a reboot can work wonders. First, unplug the earphone and then click the Windows icon. Press the power button and select Reboot to restart the PC.
alt=reload click width=263 height=164 data-ezsrc=http://server.digimetriq.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/14-Solutions-To-Fix-Headphone-Jack-Not-Working-In-Windows.png />reload click.
After restarting the computer, reconnect the earphones and make sure the computer recognizes them.
3. Check if the volume is audible.
You may not be able to hear through the headphones when the volume is turned up. You need to check the volume and make sure it is audible. You can do this by clicking on the volume icon and dragging the slider to the right to increase the volume when the sound is muted.
alt=Crimp volume width=362 height=142 data-ezsrc=http://server.digimetriq.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/1611492043_148_14-Solutions-To-Fix-Headphone-Jack-Not-Working-In-Windows.png />Crimp volume
Now check if you can hear the sound in the headphones. If you still can’t hear it, you need to adjust other system settings to fix the headphone jack.
4. Start the audio device
If your computer has sound problems, you can run a diagnostic program to help Windows find and fix the problem. However, if there is physical damage, Windows can only locate it, not repair it.
Press the Windows + I key to open the Settings application, and there click on the Update and Security option. Go to the Troubleshooting section in the left window and click on the Advanced Troubleshooting link.
alt=Open optional fixes width=235 height=153 data-ezsrc=http://server.digimetriq.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/1611492044_825_14-Solutions-To-Fix-Headphone-Jack-Not-Working-In-Windows.png />Open optional fixes
On the next screen, click the Play Audio button and then click the Troubleshooting button.
alt = width of debug-readable audio device = 594 height = 374 data-ezsrc =http://server.digimetriq.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/1611492045_726_14-Solutions-To-Fix-Headphone-Jack-Not-Working-In-Windows.png /> start of debug-readable audio device
Wait for Windows to finish fixing the audio problem. You can then use the Windows diagnostic utility to see if the faulty headphone jack has been repaired.
5. Clear audio connection
Make sure there is no dirt or debris in the audio jack as this may interfere with the headphone jack. Be careful not to use safety pins or sharp objects to remove dust from the earphone plug.
You can use headphones or an air purifier to remove contaminants. If you’re not sure you can remove it yourself, specialists can do it at a workshop near you.
6. Change default audio format
Changing the default audio format can help you hear the sound again through headphones. Before performing the following steps, make sure the earphones are connected to the computer.
Step one: Search for Control Panel in the Start menu search box and open it from the search result.
Step two: Click Hardware and Sound in the Control Panel. If you have trouble finding them, change the Category View option to Category.
alt=Open devices and sound =679 height=403 data-ezsrc=http://server.digimetriq.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/1611492046_379_14-Solutions-To-Fix-Headphone-Jack-Not-Working-In-Windows.png data-ez= />Open devices and sound
Step three: In the next window, click the Sound button.
Step four: In the Sound dialog box, click the Playback tab and select the currently enabled device. Click Properties to open the properties of the device.
alt=Open device properties width=398 height=454 data-ezsrc=http://server.digimetriq.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/1611492046_369_14-Solutions-To-Fix-Headphone-Jack-Not-Working-In-Windows.png />Open device properties
Step Five: Now click on the Advanced tab and change the default format to another number. To be sure, it should be increased or decreased by one unit.
Step six: Click Apply to apply the new settings and OK to close the window.
alt=Change default audio format width=394 height=446 data-ezsrc=http://server.digimetriq.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/1611492047_130_14-Solutions-To-Fix-Headphone-Jack-Not-Working-In-Windows.png />Change default audio format
You can now verify that the headphones are working by playing video or audio on the computer.
7. Turn on the headphones in the playback device
If the headphones are disabled by default, they will not work and you may feel that the headphone jack is not working. In this case, you must manually enable the headphones and set them as the default display device.
Open the control panel and go to Hardware and Sound. Then click the Sound button and the Playback tab.
Now right click on the empty space and select Show disabled devices so that a check mark appears next to it.
alt=Display disabled devices to disable the headphone jack without function width=395 height=374 data-ezsrc=http://server.digimetriq.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/1611492048_982_14-Solutions-To-Fix-Headphone-Jack-Not-Working-In-Windows.png />Display disabled devices
You can now see the headphones, which are disabled by default – right-click on them and select Enable from the context menu. Also, select the Set as Default option by choosing the currently activated headset to make sure it works without problems.
Then restart the computer and check if the headphone jack is not working.
8. Disable/disable detection of the front panel connector
If you have Realtek sound drivers, you can make this correction, otherwise proceed to the next solution. You can try enabling/disabling the slot detection on the front panel. For some users, enabling this feature and for others, disabling it is the solution for the audio connection. That way you can try both options and see what works for you.
Open the control panel and go to the Realtek HD Audio Manager. Make sure the View After option is set to Large Icons. Now open the port settings. Then set the Front Panel Jack Detection Disable option to ON and press OK.
Restart the computer and see if it works for you. If not, set the front panel Jack detection disable option to OFF and reboot. You can now hear all the sound through your headphones.
9. Audio Mute
You can disable the audio enhancement function if you still cannot hear the sound through the headphones. To do this, open the Control Panel and go to the Hardware and Sound page ➜ Sound.
Open the properties of the headset by double-clicking on it, then click on the Enrichment tab.
Now uncheck the checkbox next to disable all sound effects. If one of the checkboxes is still selected, remove the checkmark. Click Apply and then click OK.
You can now listen to the sound on your computer to test the headphones.
10. Reinstalling the sound, video and game controllers
Errors in the audio drivers may cause problems when connecting the headphones to the jack. You can remove and reinstall the sound, video, and game controller to fix the problem of the headphone jack not working.
Press the Windows + X key and click on Device Manager to open it. Now develop sound, video and game controllers.
Right-click on the underlying driver and select Remove Device to remove it from your PC.
alt=Uninstall the audio, video and game controllers to remove the non-functional headphone jack=641 height=228 data-ezsrc=http://server.digimetriq.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/1611492049_210_14-Solutions-To-Fix-Headphone-Jack-Not-Working-In-Windows.png data-ez= /> Remove the audio, video and game controllers.
You can now restart your PC so that Windows can install these drivers for you.
11. Sound card driver update
If the reinstallation did not correct the sound card errors, you can try updating the driver software. To update the sound card drivers, go to Device Manager and develop Sound, Video and Game Controllers. Right click on the driver below and click Update Driver.
You can now follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. If you are stuck, refer to the camera operator’s manual for assistance.
12. Removing an IDTaudio device
Windows users who have an IDT audio device installed on their computer can try this solution. Simply remove the IDT audio device to solve the earphone jack problem.
Press Windows + R to execute there and type appwiz.cpl. Click OK to open the Control Panel window and remove the applications.
alt=Open Control Panel window via Run to fix non-functional headphone jack=396 height=204 data-ezsrc=http://server.digimetriq.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/1611492050_950_14-Solutions-To-Fix-Headphone-Jack-Not-Working-In-Windows.png />Open Control Panel window via Run
Now search for IDT in the application list. If it is found, right-click on it and click Uninstall to remove it from your computer.
Then restart the computer and check if this solves the problem of the headphone jack not working or not working.
13. Reinstall audio input and output drivers
You can reinstall the audio driver to solve any problems with the headphones.
Open the Device Manager and expand the audio inputs and outputs. Now right-click on the speaker/headset driver and click Remove Device.
alt=Remove the speaker/headphone driver to restore the non-functional headphone jack=641 height=209 data-ezsrc=http://server.digimetriq.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/1611492051_446_14-Solutions-To-Fix-Headphone-Jack-Not-Working-In-Windows.png data-ez= />Remove the speaker/headphone driver.
After removing the device, click the Action button on the Device Manager menu bar and then click the Scan button to make changes to the hardware.
alt=Check if your device has undergone hardware changes to fix the non-functional earphone jack=312 height=171 data-ezsrc=http://server.digimetriq.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/1611492052_142_14-Solutions-To-Fix-Headphone-Jack-Not-Working-In-Windows.png />Check if your device has undergone hardware changes.
Windows will reinstall the audio driver for you.
14. Laptop audio card replacement
If your laptop’s audio card has problems, the above methods will not work for you. In this case, the sound card of the mobile phone must be replaced. This circuit board is different from the motherboard and is found in most laptops.
You can replace them yourself or consult a professional, as a failure can cause irreparable damage to your laptop. This permanently fixes the headset jack that doesn’t work on Windows 10 PCs.
Completion
If you are used to working with headphones connected to your computer, working without them can be a problem. As technology has evolved, Bluetooth headsets and earpieces have been added, but many older systems still do not support them. In this case, you need to find a solution to the problem of the defective headphone jack.
The above article explains all the working solutions that can help you solve your headphone jack problems caused by software reasons. However, if it is a hardware failure, the problem should be fixed by a professional at a local repair shop or by the manufacturer.
Related Tags:
headphone jack not working windows 10, front audio jack not working windows 10, hp laptop headphone jack not working windows 10, headphones not showing up windows 10, rear audio jack not working windows 10, headphone jack not working laptop, windows 10 headphones not plugged in, realtek headphone driver
