How To Fix No Sound From Headphones In Windows 10

When it comes to hardware, headphones are a common device that we use every day for various purposes, such as listening to music, participating in online meetings, or gaming. Typically, connecting headphones to your system’s audio jack is a straightforward process, and you should be able to hear audio without issue. However, in some cases, users may encounter problems while using their headphones, and it’s often related to issues with their system’s sound devices and configurations.

If you’re facing any such issues, don’t worry! We’ve compiled a list of potential solutions below that can help you resolve these problems and get your headphones working smoothly again.

1. Check your active audio device:

Windows 10 should automatically switch to a newly connected audio device, such as your headphones when they are connected. Check to make sure your headphones are listed as the active audio device by clicking the speaker icon in the system tray and selecting your headphones from the list.

1. Check your active audio device: When you connect your headphones to your Windows 10 computer, the system should automatically switch to them as the active audio device. However, if you’re not hearing any audio, it’s possible that the system is still using the default device.
2. To check your active audio device, click on the speaker icon located in the system tray. Take a look at the device name that is listed. If it doesn’t include “headphones” in the name, click on the arrow button next to it. This should open a list of available audio devices.
3. Select your headphones: Look for your headphones in the list and click on them to select them as active audio devices. Once you have selected your headphones, try playing some audio to test if they are working correctly.

If you are still not getting any sound, it’s possible that your headphones may not be configured correctly or there may be other issues with your system’s sound settings. In such cases, you may need to try some of the other solutions listed below to resolve the issue.

2. Check device and app volume:

Windows 10 allows you to adjust the volume on a per-device and per-app basis. Ensure that your headphones are connected and the volume slider is not set to zero in the Sound tab of the System section of the Settings app. Additionally, make sure your headphones are selected as the audio device in any apps you are using and that the volume is also turned up.

1. Click on the speaker icon located in the system tray.
2. Click on the arrow button located next to the active audio device to expand the audio settings.
3. Click on the “Volume Mixer” button located at the bottom of the audio settings.
4. This should open a window that displays the volume levels of all the currently active applications. You can adjust the volume levels of each application individually by moving the corresponding slider up or down.
5. To adjust the volume level of the active audio device, click on the “Device” tab located at the top of the window. This will display the volume level of the active audio device. You can adjust the volume level by moving the slider up or down.
6. Once you have adjusted the volume levels, play some audio to test if the changes have taken effect.

3. Check app settings:

Some apps, particularly those that record audio or are chat applications, have their own sound settings that may conflict with your system settings. Check the app’s sound settings to ensure that your headphones are selected as the audio device and that the volume is not set to zero.

4. Disable exclusive mode:

Headphones with built-in microphones are often set as the default communication device, which may prevent other apps from being able to use it. To fix this, go to the Sound section of the Control Panel, select your headphones, click the Properties button, and uncheck the “Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device” option.

1. Right-click on the speaker icon located in the system tray.
2. Select “Sounds” from the context menu that appears.
3. In the Sounds window, click on the “Playback” tab.
4. Right-click on the device you’re having issues with and select “Properties” from the context menu.
5. Click on the “Advanced” tab.
6. Under the “Exclusive Mode” section, uncheck both the “Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device” and “Give exclusive mode applications priority” options.
7. Click on the “Apply” button, then click on “OK” to save the changes.
8. Close the Sounds window.

5. Disable audio enhancements:

Audio enhancements can improve sound quality but may also cause problems. To disable them, go to the Sound section of the Control Panel, select your headphones, and disable any enhancements listed under the Enhancements tab.

1. Right-click on the speaker icon located in the system tray.
2. Select “Sounds” from the context menu that appears.
3. In the Sounds window, click on the “Playback” tab.
4. Right-click on the device you’re having issues with and select “Properties” from the context menu.
5. Click on the “Enhancements” tab.
6. Check the box that says “Disable all enhancements”.
7. Click on the “Apply” button, then click on “OK” to save the changes.
8. Close the Sounds window.

6. Check enabled/disabled audio devices:

If your headphones are not showing up in the sound settings of the Control Panel, they may not have been detected. Open the Device Manager and look for the speakers, headphones, or Stereo Mix device. Right-click the device and select “Scan for hardware changes.”

1. Right-click on the speaker icon located in the system tray.
2. Select “Sounds” from the context menu that appears.
3. In the Sounds window, click on the “Playback” tab.
4. This will display a list of all the available audio devices on your system.
5. Look for the device you want to check in the list. If it’s not visible, right-click anywhere in the window and select “Show Disabled Devices” and “Show Disconnected Devices” from the context menu.
6. If the device you want to use is disabled, right-click on it and select “Enable”.
7. Once enabled, set the device as the default by right-clicking on it and selecting “Set as Default Device”.
8. If you encounter any issues, you can troubleshoot the device by right-clicking on it and selecting “Troubleshoot”.

7. Update audio drivers:

Outdated or incorrect audio drivers can cause issues with your headphones. Update your drivers by selecting your sound card/device under “Sound, Video, and Game Controllers” in the Device Manager and selecting “Update Driver.”

1. Press the “Windows Key + X” key combination on your keyboard.
2. Select “Device Manager” from the list of options that appear.
3. In the Device Manager window, click on the arrow button next to the “Sound, video, and game controllers” option to expand the list.
4. Locate your audio device in the list and right-click on it.
5. Select “Update driver” from the context menu that appears.
6. Select the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option and wait for Windows to search for available updates.
7. If an update is available, Windows will download and install it automatically.
8. Once the update process is complete, restart your computer to apply the changes.

8. Check hardware:

Wired headphones can become damaged over time, so check for loose connections or damage to the wire. Test your headphones on another device to determine whether the problem is with your system or with the headphones.

9. Run the audio troubleshooter:

The sound troubleshooter can find and fix obscure settings that may be causing issues with your headphones. Access it in the Troubleshoot tab of the Update and Security section of the Settings app.

1. Click on the “Start” menu and select “Settings”.
2. Click on the “System” option in the settings window.
3. Click on the “Sound” option located in the left sidebar.
4. In the “Sound” window, scroll down to the “Troubleshoot” section and click on the “Troubleshoot” button.
5. This will open the Windows Audio Troubleshooter.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to identify and troubleshoot any issues with your audio devices.
7. Once the troubleshooter has completed its analysis, it will provide you with a list of recommended solutions.
8. Try the recommended solutions to fix the problem, and if the issue is resolved, close the troubleshooter.

Conclusion

While headphones are typically straightforward, issues can arise due to software, drivers, or hardware problems. If you have expensive headphones, contact the manufacturer for repairs or replacement if necessary. Use the above solutions to help identify and resolve any issues you may encounter.