How to Fix Headphones Not Working in Windows 10

Can’t do a conference call because your headphone is not working in Windows 10?

Your headphones play a crucial role in audio or video call communication over the internet. It may be because you need it for an online job interview. Others may need it in their job as a customer care representative or even an online ESL teacher.

If you are using Windows 10, there would be a lot of factors to consider as to why it is not working. The article for today covers the physical aspect of the connection, settings, software, and hardware device. We will try to explain why this happens in the most simple way we could.

We also would like to provide screenshots of the settings. With the images, you will be able to see where exactly you are in Windows 10 for the settings. After this, we hope that this article on how to fix headphones not working in Windows 10 will be able to help you out to resolve the issue.

Let’s get started!

 

 

1. Check Physical Connection.

Since not all of us are technically inclined to understand computers, we tend to forget the common things involved. Your headphone’s audio jack must be connected to the audio port of your PC or laptop.

Make sure that you connect the headphones’ speaker jack on the speaker port and the mic jack on the mic port. The jacks must be pushed all the way into the ports and make sure it clicks into place.

Another possibility that your headphones may not work is because you have the inline volume control set to zero. Some headphones have this feature so you have immediate control over the audio volume without clicking on the settings.

This is usually found on the headphones or cable near it. To make it work, adjust the volume control until you hear the volume level you desired.

 

 

2. Check Audio Settings in Windows OS.

It is possible that your audio settings on your Windows operating system have been changed which caused your headphones not to work correctly. This usually happens the data file that handles the settings gets corrupted due to process interruptions.

In order to fix it, you will need to change the audio settings on your computer to rebuild the data file.

Here’s how you can do it:

  1. First and foremost, click on the audio icon in the taskbar usually found on the lower right portion of your screen.

 

Increasing Volume

 

  1. Then adjust the volume control until you reach the volume level you desired. Be sure that the volume icon just beside the volume control is enabled and not muted. If muted, toggle on the icon to enable it.
  2. Next, right-click on the volume icon and click on Open Sound Settings.

 

Sound Settings

 

  1. After that, click on Manage sound devices option to check for disabled devices. If you see your headphones as disabled, click on Enable option. Do the same thing with your microphone.

 

How to Fix Headphones Not Working in Windows 10

 

  1. Click on the back arrow button at the top left corner of the screen to go back to the Sound settings page.
  2. Then, on the right side menu, click on Sound Control Panel option.
  3. Next, choose your headphones on the list under the Playback tab and click on Properties. If you cannot find your headphones on the list, skip the remaining steps, and proceed to the next method.

 

How to Fix Headphones Not Working in Windows 10

 

  1. Under Speaker Properties, click on the Enhancements tab and click on Disable all enhancements option.

 

Disable all enhancements for speakers

 

  1. Finally, click on the OK button to finalize the settings.

If the settings above were not able to help, you can always click on the Troubleshoot button under the Sound settings page so Windows 10 can automatically diagnose the problem.

Using the correct settings above, you will be able to fix your headphones not working in Windows 10 issue.

 

 

3. Enable Headphones and Set as Default Device.

There is a possibility that your headphones are disabled in the Sound settings. It might have been disabled because of conflict in the audio settings of your computer.

To fix this, you must enable your headphones. And to make sure that this won’t happen again, you must set your headphones as the default audio device.

Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Go ahead and right-click on the audio icon in your Windows 10 taskbar and click on Open Sound Settings.
  2. Then, on the right side menu, click on Sound Control Panel option.
  3. Now since your headphones are not on the list under Playback tab, right-click on any devices and make sure you enable the Show Disabled Devices and Show Disconnected Devices option.

 

How to Fix Headphones Not Working in Windows 10

 

  1. After seeing your disabled headphones on the list, right-click on it and choose Enable.

 

Enable Speakers

 

  1. Once enabled, click on the headphones and click on the Set as Default Device option.
  2. Finally, click on the OK button to finalize and save the settings.

After completing this method, make sure you check the previous method for the correct audio settings.

Now that you have enabled and set your headphones as the default audio device, you will now be able to use it with no issues.

 

 

4. Change the Default Format Settings of Headphones.

The default format settings on your Windows 10 audio settings is the sound quality compression that is set up for your headphones. This means that if your headphones are not capable of supporting HD quality compression, there is a chance that it will not work.

To fix this issue, you need to set the correct audio format settings.

Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Go ahead and right-click on the audio icon in your Windows 10 taskbar and click on Open Sound Settings.
  2. Then, on the right side menu, click on Sound Control Panel option.
  3. On the Playback tab, click on your headphones and then click on Properties.
  4. Next, click on the Advanced tab and choose the Default Format values on the drop-down list. Test each of the values and click on Test till you hear a sound on your headphones.

 

How to Fix Headphones Not Working in Windows 10

 

  1. Finally, click on the OK button to finalize the settings.

After using the correct audio format settings for your headphones, it should be able to fix headphones not working in Windows 10 issue.

But what if you are still experiencing the same issue? Don’t worry, you can proceed to the next method for another possible fix.

 

 

5. Use the Troubleshooter App.

It may be hard to find settings that are causing your headphones to not work on your Windows 10. Good thing, there is an application on your Windows OS that you can use to automatically diagnose the problem.

Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Go ahead and search the Settings app using the search icon on your Windows 10.
  2. Then, find and click on the Update & Security option.

 

Update and Security on Windows 10

 

  1. Now, find and click Troubleshoot on the left side menu of the screen.
  2. Finally, click on the Playing Audio option and click on Run the troubleshooter option.

 

How to Fix Headphones Not Working in Windows 10

 

After running the troubleshooter app, it will diagnose the problem and you just need to follow the instructions in order to fix it. But there is still a possibility that the issue needs some advanced troubleshooting procedure.

 

 

6. Update your Device Drivers.

There is a possibility that your audio driver is outdated. This can cause compatibility issues with Windows 10 operating system.

An updated operating system can sometimes trigger issues when you have outdated apps or drivers.

To fix the issue with the audio, you will have to update the audio driver as well.

Here’s how you can do it:

  1. First, click on the search icon of your Windows 10 and type in Control to open the Control Panel page.
  2. Then on the control panel list, find and click Device Manager.
  3. Now on the list of devices, find and click the Audio inputs and outputs to drop-down the audio devices.

 

How to Fix Headphones Not Working in Windows 10

 

  1. Finally, find and select the audio device where your headphones is connected, right-click on it and choose Update Driver and choose Search automatically for updated driver software.

 

How to Fix Headphones Not Working in Windows 10

 

If the error occurs during the process, you can go back to the Device Manager and right-click on the Audio device. Click on Properties option, then on Driver tab, click on Roll Back Driver.

But if you know the manufacturer of your Audio Card, it is advisable that you download the updated driver for Windows 10 on their website.

Now that you have updated your audio device driver, you should be able to fix your headphones not working in Windows 10 issue.

 

 

7. Unpair and Pair the Bluetooth Headphones Again.

If you are using Bluetooth, then there is a chance that your Bluetooth connection settings have been corrupted. This usually happens when Windows 10 processes have been interrupted while your Bluetooth device is still connected.

To fix this, you need to unpair and pair your Bluetooth headphones with your Windows 10 again.

Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Go ahead and click Start icon of your Window 10, then click on Settings.
  2. Then, click on Devices and then Bluetooth & other devices.
  3. Select the Bluetooth headphones on the list and click the Remove device button.

 

How to Fix Headphones Not Working in Windows 10

 

  1. After that, click on the Yes button to confirm and restart your Windows 10.
  2. Turn on your Bluetooth headphones and make it discoverable. Of course, this depends on the brand you are using. Visit the manufacturer’s website to learn how.
  3. Click on the Start button on your Windows 10 screen, then go back to the Settings page.
  4. Next, click on Devices, then Bluetooth & other devices, and then turn on Bluetooth.

 

Turn Off Bluetooth

 

  1. Then, go back to the home screen of your Windows 10 and click on the Action Center icon on the bottom right portion of the screen.
  2. Finally, click on Connect and click on your Bluetooth headphones on the list to pair again. Make sure to follow instructions if it appears to finalize the process.

 

How to Fix Headphones Not Working in Windows 10

 

Now that you are able to rebuild the Bluetooth connection of your headphones and Windows 10, it will be able to function correctly.

 

 

8. Change the Realtek HD Audio Manager.

This method only works if you have a Realtek HD Audio device installed on your computer. If you don’t use this Audio Card in your computer, we suggest that you skip this method and proceed to the next.

Realtek HD Audio Card is managed by its own app known as the Realtek HD Audio Manager. Sometimes, the settings on the app cause your headphones not to work correctly. To fix this, you will need to check and change the settings.

Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Go ahead and launch the Realtek HD Audio Manager.
  2. Then, on the upper-right corner of the app, click on the small folder icon.
  3. Finally, enable the checkbox that has Disable front panel jack detection and click OK to confirm.

 

How to Fix Headphones Not Working in Windows 10

 

After disabling the front panel jack port on the Realtek HD Audio Manager app, connect your headphones to the audio port found at the back of your computer.

On the other hand, if you want to use the front panel audio port, there is a setting you need to check for that as well.

Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Go ahead and launch the Realtek HD Audio Manager.
  2. Then click on the Cog icon to view the settings of the app.
  3. Now, under the Connector settings, make sure you choose the HD Audio Front Panel.
  4. Next, under the playback devices, make sure to check the box that says Make front and rear output devices playback two different audio streams simultaneously.

 

How to Fix Headphones Not Working in Windows 10

 

  1. Finally, click OK to apply the settings.

By having the correct settings on your Realtek HD Audio Manager, your headphones should work correctly.

 

 

9. Update the IDT Audio Device.

There have been IDT Audio issues with Windows 10 lately. You will notice that your volume is jumping and yet you don’t hear anything on your headphones.

If you are using this Audio Manager, you will have to update to fix it.

Here’s how you do it:

  1. First, click on the Search icon of your Windows 10 and type in Control to open Control Panel page.
  2. Then on the control panel list, find and click Device Manager.
  3. Next, find and click to expand the Sound, video and game controllers.
  4. Now choose IDT High Definition Audio CODEC device and Right-click on it and choose Update Driver Software.

 

How to Fix Headphones Not Working in Windows 10

 

  1. Then, click Browse my computer for driver software and then click on Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer.
  2. Find and choose High Definition Audio Device instead of IDT High Definition Audio CODEC device.

 

How to Fix Headphones Not Working in Windows 10

 

  1. Now, click Next and then click on Yes in the Update Driver Warning.
  2. Finally, restart your Windows 10 computer.

After having updated your IDT Audio Device, you will be able to fix your headphones not working in Windows 10 issue.

By doing this, it chooses standard audio codec rather than HD Audio codec that might not be compatible with your headphones.

 

 

10. Uninstall the Recent Windows Update Conflict.

Some of the Windows 10 users have automatic settings for their Windows OS updates. With this, sometimes the specific update that is packaged for the over-all updates can cause problems to your computer.

So if your computer became problematic after the windows update, you can fix it by uninstalling the recent updates.

Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Go ahead and click on the Start icon on your Windows 10 screen.
  2. Then, click on the Settings option and then click on the Update & Security option.
  3. Now, under Windows Update, click on View update history option.

 

How to Fix Headphones Not Working in Windows 10

 

  1. Next, check on the list of updates you made recently, look into Driver Updates and Other Updates tab that might have caused your audio to malfunction.
  2. Now click the link of the update to uninstall it. Do this to the other updates until you restore your audio.
  3. Finally, restart your computer to load the changes in your Windows 10 computer.

After this process, you should be able to fix your headphones not working in Windows 10 issue.

 

 

11. Use Windows System Restore.

Sometimes, updates and changes in Windows 10 does not guarantee to work all the time. That is why it is advisable to make a restore point when you are about to do some major changes in your Windows 10.

That way, you may be able to restore your computer to a healthy state where it works correctly.

Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Go ahead and search System Restore using the search function of Windows 10.
  2. Then, find and click on System Properties on the top search results.
  3. Next, on the System Properties screen, click on System Restore option and then click Next.

 

System Restore on Windows 10

 

  1. Choose the restore point on the list to restore your computer to the previous working state.
  2. Make sure you click the Scan for affected programs option to see what are the apps that will be affected by the restore process. Click the Close option once finished.

 

Scan for affected programs

 

  1. Finally, click on Next and then Finish button to finalize the process.

After your computer was restored in the previous working state, your headphones should be able to work now.

 

 

12. Repair Install Using Media Creation Tool.

Another useful app that you can use to restore your computer to a working state is the Media Creation Tool. This is usually used by computer distributors and resellers to restore the computers of their client to the default factory state.

In this way, your computer will be as it was when you have first bought it.

Before doing the process, you should be able to secure a restoration file from your computer supplier. They usually give you this file in a flash drive.

Here’s how you can restore your computer:

  1. Go ahead and boot your computer using the flash drive provided by your computer supplier.
  2. Then, on the boot media, click on Repair Your Computer option.
  3. Next, under Advanced troubleshooting, click on Startup Repair.

 

Startup Repair on Windows 10

 

  1. Finally, wait for the process to finish. Once your computer restarts, remove the USB flash disk.

Now that you are able to restore your computer to its default factory state, you will be able to remove the application that makes your headphones not working in Windows 10.

You can now then, update the driver so it would work correctly. In reference to the driver update process, you can check out Method 6 of this article.

 

 

 

13. Contact Microsoft Support.

If you had a hard time resolving the issue by yourself, you can always call for assistance. Normally, the distributor or reseller that sold you the computer should have a Microsoft certified technician to help you out.

But if they don’t, you can always go to the nearest Microsoft Store. Their support also varies for each country, so make sure to check out the available support in your area.

 

Microsoft Support

 

However, if you think that you can manage to resolve the issue with the help of a Microsoft expert over the phone, feel free to contact them anytime. You can check out Microsoft community page for there might be users that have the same issues as yours.

And this wraps up our guide on how to fix your headphones not working in Windows 10. Thank you for your support and we hope that this article helped you find a fix. If you have questions related to this topic, please feel free to leave a comment below.

 

If this guide helped you, please share it. 🙂

 

Author

  • Mako Young

    Mako is a staff writer at Saint. He's been writing about tech for more than a decade. When he isn't reading about the latest news on Apple, he's busy studying cybersecurity, cryptocurrency, cloud computing, and other IT-related sectors. His exceptional work graces technology and Apple-related blogs like How-To Geek, VEED.io, Macgasm, onMac, PhotoWorkout, GameRant, and many more. He also has a Bachelors in Computer Science and has been writing since 2018, with over 400 posts published. LinkedIn X (Twitter)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *