Fixing Headphones Problems in Windows 10

headphones vs headset windows 10

A pair of headphones can make a massive difference to the way you interact with your PC, whether for gaming or working from home. Headphones with noise cancellation are great for reducing distracting ambient sound and headsets with mics allow you to easily communicate over video chat or audio calls. However, it can be frustrating when your headphones aren’t working properly. It’s easy to assume that it’s a problem with your headphones or computer, but sometimes there are fixes you can try that don’t require buying a new set.

The first thing to check is whether the headphones are connected and powered on. You may also need to change the default playback device in Windows, depending on your setup. Some headsets support controls that work independently of your computer’s sound settings, so ensuring these are enabled is important as well. You can do this by clicking the audio icon in the taskbar, and selecting the option to open the Volume Mixer. Adjusting the sliders for both microphone and headphones can help get you back on track.

Another possible cause for your headphones not working is that they are being used as an input device instead of an output device. If this is the case, you can usually fix it by opening your computer’s settings and changing the headset to the correct mode. In many cases, this is simply a matter of selecting the headphones in the Playback Devices menu and adjusting the volume.

It’s also worth checking your computer’s drivers. Often, problems with headphones or other audio devices are caused by outdated or incorrect drivers. To resolve this, you can either manually update your driver or download a tool such as IDT Audio Driver Manager that will automatically do it for you.

Headphones that aren’t playing sound can also be the result of your headphones not connecting to your PC correctly or using the wrong Bluetooth profile. Typically, headsets with microphones will use the A2DP (high-quality stereo headphones) or hands-free profile (HSP and HFP), which provide better recording quality but lower output quality. If your headset doesn’t connect to the right device, or you have issues with audio lag and distortion, you can try using an A2DP Audio Enhancement application like Dolby Access for a more immersive experience.

If your headphones still don’t work, you can try restarting your PC and then reinstalling the drivers. This isn’t always successful, but it can be a good way to get your headphones up and running quickly. Once they’re reinstalled, you should be able to reconnect them and get back to listening to music, gaming or talking to friends online. Alternatively, you can try some of the other fixes in this article to see if they solve your issue. If not, you can consider purchasing a new pair of headphones or sticking with the old one that worked before.