Everyone loves using headphones, but sometimes you run into trouble connecting them to your computer. Whether it's after a long day at work, trying to sleep while listening to ASMR/music, or sitting down to finish the work you've been assigned.
It's very annoying when your headphones don't work. But don't worry because the problem is usually not that serious. It's usually system-related or due to a missing headphone driver on your system.
Why won't my computer connect to my headphones?
The main reason why Windows does not recognize headphones is because corrupt device drivers give us this error. Windows could not support or identify the headphone device. Although we cannot say that this is the only reason that causes us the error. Until we check all the possible reasons that can cause us the same error.
Other reasons that can cause the error in Windows are outdated versions of Windows, missing drivers, incorrectly configured settings. And sometimes, the defect of the headset itself.
Solutions to fix computer not recognizing headphones in Windows
To help you resolve this issue on your system, here we have mentioned all the possible solutions to fix the issue of headphones not being recognized by computer:
- Disable front panel jack detection (if applicable)
- Enable multistream mode (if applicable)
- Update to the latest audio drivers
- Change the default sound format
- Select the right device
- Search for changes hardware
- Defer automatic updates
- Disable exclusive control
- Hide Cortana from the taskbar
- Run the troubleshooter
- Change Realtek settings
- Uninstall the drivers from Realtek and clean the registry
- Select the headset
- Change the driver
- Disable/Enable the sound device and set it as default
- Uninstall and reinstall independent input devices
Disables front panel jack detection (if applicable)
- Open the Run application by using the following combination of commands: Windows + R.
- Now enter Control Panel in the login window and press Enter.
- Change the display category to small icons and choose Sound to open it.
- Once you have opened the sound settings, locate the Realtek HD Audio Manager.
- Now go to connector settings and disable the front panel jack.
This will most likely resolve your issue. If not, try the next fix to resolve the problem.
Enable Multi-Stream mode (if applicable)
- Click on window+R key. The run box will appear on the screen, type control and press enter.
- Now, choose the hardware and sound option in the control panel, and then click on Realtek HD Audio Manager.
- At the top of the screen, you will see an advanced device settings option, click on it and enable multi-screen mode. Press ok to save the changes you have made there.
- Try restarting your system and check if the problem is solved or not. If not, then move on to the next fix.
Update to the latest audio drivers
- Type control panel in the Windows search bar. And tap on control panel from the result that appears on the screen.
- Tap the sound option in the list.
- Scroll down to the driver information and click the properties button.
- And now go to the Driver tab.
- Now let the update download automatically.
- Once all this process is done, connect your phone to check if it works or not.
Change the default sound format
- Click the Window + R button to open the run prompt.
- Type control in the box and press enter to launch the control panel.
- Choose the hardware and sound option for it. Then select the sound option.
- Choose the Playback tab, then double-click the default playback device.
- Tap the default format option, and then select the different option from the list that appears
- Click the apply option and then click ok.
- Now you can check whether your system recognizes the headset or not.
Select the right device
- Select the sound manager option by right-clicking on the speaker icon that appears in the system tray.
- Then it will show you an option for the Realtek sound manager. Now go to the search bar option and locate it within the taskbar.
- Once you open the Realtek Sound Manager option, click on the little yellow folder option on the right and check the option to enable automatic pop-up dialog.
- Make sure changes are saved when you select this option.
- Now, unplug the cable USB if your headphones use USB mode connection.
- A dialog box may appear asking you which device you want to connect. A drop-down list will then open for you to select the headset option.
- After all this process, check if the problem has been resolved or not.
Scan for hardware changes
- Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the run prompt.
- Type devmgmt.msc in the input box and press enter.
- At device administrator, expand the Sound, video and game controller option. Then right-click on the sound driver you are currently using.
- Click on the uninstall device option and follow all on-screen instructions to uninstall this player from your system.
- Print the audio input and output option, and then uninstall all the devices in the same way.
- Now press window +R to open and run the prompt and then type control. Click the Enter button to launch the control panel, and then click the Uninstall a program option.
- Click the “Uninstall” button to launch the control panel, and then click the “Uninstall a program” option.
You can do this by clicking the “Uninstall” button on the left side of the screen.
- If you have downloaded a driver on your system, you must remove it completely.
- Launch Device Manager and click on the scan for hardware changes icon.
- This time the driver will be replaced automatically.
- Now, click on it to see that the headphones are recognized.
Postpone self-updates
- To run the indicator, click window+R from your keyboard.
- Type devmgmt.msc in the input box and press enter.
- In Device Manager, expand Sound, Video and Game Controller. Then right-click on the sound driver you are currently using.
- Now, choose properties and then select the driver tab and choose the rollback driver option.
- Follow all instructions on your screen to perform a driver update rollback.
- After all, download this troubleshooter on your computer to delay the automatic driver update window.
- Now, run the troubleshooter and follow all the instructions to prevent all steering wheel updates.
- Now you can check whether the problem has been solved or not.
Disable exclusive control
- To open the runtime prompt, press the window key +R on your keyboard.
- To launch the control panel, type control, and then press enter.
- In the control panel, under hardware and sound options, press the sound button. Then go to the playback tab.
- Double-click your playback device, then click the Advanced tab.
- Uncheck the option to allow the app to take restricted control of this device. Then tap the Apply option.
- Then press ok to close the window.
- Please check if this solves your problem.
Hide Cortana from the taskbar
On your desktop screen, right-click on the space on the taskbar. Uncheck the Show Cortana button and check if it has now disappeared.
Check if this resolves your issue. If it still doesn't, repeat the procedure and disable Cortana.
You can also use the following procedure to disable Cortana:
Running the troubleshooter
- To open Windows Settings, press the Window key + I on your keyboard.
- Select Update & Security and choose the Troubleshoot button.
- Tap the Play Audio option and choose to run the Troubleshooter option.
- Wait for the troubleshooter to run, then tap the device you want to troubleshoot.
- Follow all on-screen instructions to complete troubleshooting.
- Now check if the headset has been recognized.
Change advanced settings of Realtek device
Open Realtek Audio Manager and right-click the speaker icon in the system tray.
You can also follow the search process by searching for Realtek Audio Manager in your Windows taskbar.
- After launching the Realtek Audio Manager, click on the speaker icon. And from there, choose the speaker settings from the drop-down list.
- Choose 7.1 surround sound from the list and save it.
- Disconnect the headphones from the system from their 3,5mm cable without closing the Realtek Audio Manager.
- Select stereo from the speaker configuration drop-down list and save all changes.
- Check if the problem is caused by the headphones being turned on.
Uninstall Realtek drivers and clean registry
- Press window+R and open the run prompt.
- Type devmgmt.msc and then press the enter button.
- Select the Sound, Video and Game Controller option. And right-click on the sound driver you are working with.
- Choose the uninstall option and follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall the player from your computer.
- Click on the option to uninstall a program.
- Right-click on the Realtek Audio Driver option from the list that appears on the screen. And choose the uninstall option.
- Follow all on-screen instructions to uninstall it from your computer.
- Once you have removed the Realtek driver from your PC, you can move on to cleaning the registry.
- Download CCleaner and run it to clean up all the residue.
- After cleaning, click on the troubleshoot option within CCleaner and follow the on-screen instructions to fix the problem.
- After restarting your computer and download another driver to check if window does not install one automatically.
- Finally, check if the problem has disappeared.
Select a headset
- Select the sound manager by right-clicking on the speaker icon in the system tray.
- Realtek Sound Manager is now open if it isn't. Search for it in the search bar inside the taskbar.
- On the right side of it. Click on the little yellow folder and check to enable the auto pop dialog option.
- Now save all changes.
- Now remove the 3,5mm cable that you use to connect the headphones to the computer.
- Plug your cable into your computer and check which device has a plugin in the pop-up window. And in the drop-down list, select the headphones in it.
When this whole process is over, check whether the issues have been resolved or not.
Change the driver
- Press window+R to start the query.
- Type the code devmgmt.msc in the box, and then press the enter button to start the device manager.
- Expand the Video Sound and Game Controller option. And now right-click on the sound driver you are working on.
- Now, choose the driver update key.
- Please push my computer browser for the driver software.
- And switching to the buttons allows me to choose from a list of available drivers and then choose the high definition audio device option.
- Click the Next button to confirm the prompts on the next screen.
Now check if the issue is resolved or not.
Disable/Enable sound device and set device as default device
- Open the control panel and then click on the sound option.
- Below the playback option, you will see a disabled device when you right-click on it.
- Right-click the name of the headset device in the list that appears.
- Choose to enable/disable the device from the drop-down menu below.
- Select the device again and click Set as Default.
- Click OK and apply.
Uninstall and reinstall independent input devices
- Press the +X key on the keyboard. Then click on the Device Manager option.
- Explore the game's video and sound driver.
- Right-click on the list that appears on the screen and then click uninstall.
- Choose to remove the device driver software.
- Now restart your computer once the uninstallation process is complete.
- Now download the driver and install it on your computer.
FAQs
How do I get my computer to recognize my headphones?
Try reinstalling or updating your drivers. This will fix the problem in most cases.
Why are my headphones not detected?
This may be due to corrupted or missing drivers on your system. Other reasons may be outdated versions of Windows or incorrectly configured settings. So try updating your drivers or reinstalling all of them to fix the problem.
How do I get Windows 10 to recognize my headphones?
Update your sound drivers and try running the audio troubleshooter. And check if your Windows system is up to date. Also try changing the audio jack. This will fix the problem.
My name is Javier Chirinos and I am passionate about technology. Ever since I can remember, I have been interested in computers and video games, and that passion has turned into a job.
I have been publishing about technology and gadgets on the Internet for over 15 years, especially in mundobytes.com
I am also an expert in online marketing and communication and have knowledge in WordPress development.