Windows 10: Headphones refuse to output in stereo.

A while ago, I switched computers. When I switched over, the first thing I noticed with the new one was that my headphones didn't seem to work. I tried 2 other pairs and it still didn't work. In a last effort, I panned the audio all the way to the left, and that fixed it. The thing is, it still has issues.


Basically, it works as long as 1 ear is on 0%, but sometimes, it will only play the sound from the ear I have on 100%, other times it plays nothing at all, and other times it plays the ear on 100% really quietly. The only way I have managed to fix it is to activate mono audio in settings, and that means I'm not getting stereo.


Even worse is that my speakers used to be immune from the issue, but I recently moved my computer and they are now having the same problem.

I have ignored the problem for a while, but it is a pretty serious problem for me. I'm a music composer and livestreamer, stereo audio is pretty much required.

:)

 

Problem getting stereo sound from headphones


I have an HP laptop, and my sound card is (displayed using PCIutils for Windows):

Code:

Code:

Intel Corporation 7 Series / C210 Series

and I am finding difficulties in getting stereo sound from analogical headphones (plugged in with 3.5mm jack). Drivers downloaded from HP or Realtex do not work, drivers supplied by Windows (although they are Realtek drivers as well) sometimes work, I mean: speakers and headphones are shown together at the mixer, and sound from headphones is not stereo. I then go to device manager, audio input and output, and uninstall "Speakers/Headphones". I then reboot with my headphones plugged in, and, after that, the sound is stereo, and (IIRC) the mixer distinguishes between headphones and speakers.

But then things get broken back soon: one time, the windows updated the sound driver, and no stereo sound again. I uninstalled the device, rebooted, and stereo back. Then I unplugged the headphones, and windows said that no speakers were found: I restarted the audio device, speakers were found again, but stereo broken again *Mad

I think that debugging this looks tricky but, do you have any ideas?

Thank you in advance.

 

Stereo mix showing but not showing audio

A potential solution for those who use digital outputs to a separate sound system for your sounds (rather than speakers or headphones), and have tried all the normal suggestions when Stereo Mix shows up on the recording tab, but shows no audio, and programs
such as Audacity won't record a signal.

I use digital optical out from my sound card (Realtek High Definition Audio) to my sound system. There are therefore no speakers connected, and no speakers show in the sound settings. And no audio showing in Stereo Mix.

However, connecting headphones instantly solves the problem - stereo mix shows audio, programs like Audacity can record again (plugging headphones in the headphones jack makes no difference to the digital optical output signal = does not mute it).

I would be really interested to know why Stereo Mix will not show audio if there are no speakers or headphones connected.

 

Headphones jack only outputting mono after dolby access install

Hi,

The headphones issue that you encountered after installing the audio program can be related to a possible licensing issue. The software that you're using offers an in-app purchase and it's best to contact the developer for further support. On the other hand,
we suggest that you use Windows Sonic as an alternative for the audio output by following the steps below:

• Right click on the speaker icon located on the notification area.
• Select Spatial sound.
• Under the Spatial sound tab, select Windows Sonic for Headphones
  from the drop-down list.
• Click OK.
• Once you're done, check if the issue persists.

Let us know should you need further assistance.