There are many reasons for the lack of sound in the headphones' speakers after connecting them to a laptop or desktop computer. They can be divided into two main groups: failures in the program and malfunctions of the equipment itself. What to do if the headphones on your laptop or PC don't work? We offer you several solutions and detailed instructions to resolve this problem.
We carry out diagnostics
To find the reason why the headphones on the computer do not work, it is necessary to carry out consistent diagnostics of all systems.
- First you need to rule out damage to the headphones themselves. To do this, you need to connect them to another device, for example, a smartphone or DVD player. If the headphones transmit sound normally, then we continue the diagnosis.
- You need to make sure that the headphones are correctly connected to the computer using the correct connector. Some laptop models have identical sockets for connecting recording devices and sound reproduction equipment. Check the connection - there should be a corresponding sign near the input, or the connector is green.
- You should check the volume: often the level is at zero, which is why the sound does not work. Also, when you connect headphones to a computer, it is worth checking the volume control located on the product itself.
- System Restore. Sometimes headphones do not transmit sound due to the fact that the operating system (OS) has been reinstalled or updated - a restoration must be performed.
- Update or reinstall drivers. When restoring the OS did not bring the desired result, and the laptop still does not see the headphones, you need to reload the drivers for the audio card or update them. This technique helps troubleshoot problems that occur in playback or audio recording.
- Banal reasons. When you use the front panel of a desktop PC to connect, this connector can simply be disabled. To fix the problem, go to the Windows Sound Manager (Windows) section and perform simple steps:
If you are unable to connect headphones on the front panel of the system unit, then connect them from the back to the outputs of the audio card.
The headphone jack is clogged
Also one of the options for why the headset on the phone works. Quite often the cause of this is water ingress if the device does not have a moisture protection function. On the other hand, when carrying a smartphone in a closed pocket, there is a high chance that dust and debris (for example, paper fibers from receipts) will get into the headphone and charging jack.
Below are a few steps that will help you determine whether a clogged jack is the reason why your headphones stopped working.
Why Windows 10 doesn't recognize my headset
If the PC hardware and headphones are working, then the OS probably does not see the headset due to a failure in the sound settings or incorrect operation of the sound card driver/adapter built into the motherboard.
In a standard situation, when you connect headphones to the 3.5 jack, the sound is automatically played through them, or a window appears asking you to select which device is connected to the PC. By specifying the headset, the user transfers the sound to it. However, this does not always happen.
The first thing to do if the headphones do not play is to select “sound options” through the tray icon and see what options are displayed in playback devices . If the headset is displayed, then sometimes it is enough to switch to it, and also activate “use as default”. In this case, after each connection, the audio will automatically play through them.
If this does not help, or there is no way to change the sound parameters in the tray, then the likely problem is an outdated, broken, missing driver. In the device manager, you can look at the “audio inputs and outputs” item. If there is a yellow or red icon next to the device name, or this menu is completely empty, then this confirms a software failure. In such a situation, you need to download the required driver from the equipment manufacturer’s website.
Advice! If there are doubts about who manufactured the sound card or motherboard (if the adapter is built-in), then DriverPackSolution will help correct the situation and at the same time update the software for all hardware.
Operating period
The first reason why headphones stop working. It is also the most common. Quite often, users purchase a headset, which they subsequently use for several years. If the wires are of high quality, then their service life can reach five years.
If the purchased headphones are not of very high quality or even of questionable quality, then a service life of a year is already a great merit for them.
In this case, you just need to regularly monitor whether the sound quality changes if you have had the headset for a long time.
How to set up a headset in Windows 7
Setting up sound in Windows 7 is no different from newer versions of the operating system.
If the sound does not reach the headphones on its own, you need to open “playback devices” through a special icon in the tray. If the required headset is among the available devices, switch to it and click on “use as default”.
If the situation has not changed, you will need to update the software. The best way to do this is through the sound card manufacturer's website. If it is not in the PC, that is, the headphone output is installed in the motherboard, then the software needs to be updated for the motherboard. The driver most often used is from Realtek. You can go to the manufacturer’s website and download the latest software, taking into account the version and bit depth of Windows.
Realtek website
Operating system problem
Let's consider the following reason why one earphone stopped working and how to fix it or the device itself. Quite often, failures in the operating system lead to various malfunctions in the operation of applications or connected devices, such as charging or a headset. And one of the speakers may stop working for precisely this reason.
Attention! Physical damage to the wire or contents of one of the speakers should also not be ruled out. But this will be discussed a little later.
Why doesn't the PC see the Bluetooth headset?
Despite the fact that the sound quality of wired headphones is still in most cases better than that of Bluetooth models, some users stop using the latter. As a rule, the connection does not cause any particular difficulties, but if synchronization fails, then you should know how to deal with it. Instructions are given below.
Checking the correct connection
Before considering complex options for troubleshooting, you should make sure that the pairing was initially done correctly.
- On the headset, use a special button to activate the search mode. Sometimes you just move the switch to the desired position, other times you need to hold the search/play button for a few seconds. The correct option for a particular headset should be found in its instructions.
- Most Bluetooth headphones have an LED that blinks quickly while searching for available devices to pair with.
- On a PC, you need to click on the Bluetooth icon in the tray and open “adding Bluetooth devices.” If there is no icon, then you need to open “settings” - “devices” - “Bluetooth”.
- Select the desired accessory and perform pairing.
Adding a Bluetooth device
Possible faults
If following the synchronization instructions did not help, then it is worth checking a number of reasons why the failure occurred.
First, you should make sure that the device is equipped with a Bluetooth module. For laptops, this function has long been standard; desktop computers have a BT module extremely rarely. To check, go to the device manager and look for Bluetooth. If it is not there, then there is no built-in adapter - you will need an external USB module.
The second common cause of failure is that the driver does not work. In this case, you should look at the name of the adapter in the device manager and download software for it from the manufacturer’s website. If we are talking about a laptop, then you can simply find your model on the company’s website and download all the necessary software for it.
Important! After installing/updating the driver, you need to restart the device and try to synchronize again.
If the above recommendations did not help, then most likely the Bluetooth versions of the headset and PC are not compatible. In this case, you will need to choose another accessory.
Finally, one piece of good advice: if there is no sound in your headphones on your computer or laptop, then there is no need to fuss - calmly and methodically check all systems. Follow the method from a simple failure to a complex case, and everything will work out. Otherwise, the headphones are simply out of order and require repair or replacement.
Both headphones do not work due to the case
It is worth noting that this reason is valid extremely rarely. Its essence lies in the displacement of the phone case or its loose fixation. To put it another way:
- The phone case is not made very well. As a result, part of the protection housing blocks the headset jack. As a result, pressure is applied to the connected headphones, resulting in a lack of tight connection;
- The second option is that the case is slightly larger than the smartphone itself, and therefore does not fit tightly. As a result, the headset connected to the jack becomes loose and the metal contacts on the cord cease to function stably.
But again, this extremely rarely causes a breakdown.
Physical damage
The last reason why one or both headphones stopped working. Testing this theory is not as easy as it seems. Here's what you need to do:
- pinch the wire between your fingers at the plug to connect it to the connector. Walk along the entire length, feeling for kinks and creases. Once you reach the divider, repeat the procedure for each speaker;
- Now carefully inspect the plug itself. Gently wiggle the metal contacts (without force). If it wobbles easily or strongly, inspect its connection to the wire. Most likely, there will be a gap there;
- Now carefully shake the headphones themselves. If something is knocking in one of them, as if it has come loose and is not secured, then it is necessary to open the speaker.
It is not recommended to carry out this repair yourself. The “droplets” need to be practically cut. If you move suddenly, you can damage the insides.
