Windows 10: Headphone Audio not working problem

There's this incredibly obnoxious problem where my wired headphones plugged into the audio jack and the audio is fine and stays like that. Then sometimes when they headphones are pulled out of the jack, the whole computer makes the audio come out of the speakers instead of the headphones like they're not even there. Even when the Realtek audio pop up comes up "You just plugged a device into the audio jack." This has happened a lot before and most of the time it just fixes without doing anything. I know there's no problem with my headphones because I plugged some earbuds in as well and they didn't work either. It sometimes fixes when I reinstall the Realtek drivers but sometimes it doesn't and I don't want to have to keep reinstalling drivers. They're Sony MDR-V150 headphones. It's an Inspiron 11-3168 laptop.

:)

 

Headphones not working and Realtek HD Audio Manager

Hello,

Thank you for updating us on the above issue.

Please reply:

• Did you check if your headphones work on other device?
• Did you check if your headphone drivers are detected under Device manager?

I suggest you to check if similar issue persists on connecting the same headphones to another computer. If the issue does not persists, I suggest you to check if the headphone drivers are detected under Device manager by following the steps below:

• Press Windows logo + X keys on the keyboard select
  Device Manager from the options.
• Expand Audio inputs and outputs option and check if the headphone drivers are visible in the window.
• Right-click on the headphone driver and select Update this software
  option.
• Follow the on-screen instructions and wait for the update to complete.
• Close the window after the update is complete and check if the changes are effective.

If the headphone drivers are not visible, I suggest you to download and install the latest and most compatible driver software from the device manufacturer’s website and check if the issue is resolved.

Write to us with the status of the above issue for further assistance. Your reply is most important for us to ensure we assist you accordingly.

Thank you.

 

Headphones not working and Realtek HD Audio Manager

Hi Cheriah,

Thank you for posting on Microsoft Community. I understand the inconvenience you are facing. I will certainly help you with this.

Before assisting further, I would like to ask you few questions:

• Did you check if the headphones get detected under Device manager?
• Did you try installing the headphones driver on the PC?
• Does the headphones work fine when connected to other computer?

You may be facing the above issue due to some of the system components conflicting with the headphones driver on the computer. You might also face the above issue if there is any hardware components missing from the headphones due to pulling the device
abruptly.

Method 1: I suggest you to check if the headphone works on connecting to other computer. If the device works without any issues on other PC’s, I suggest you to download and install the latest and most compatible audio
drivers for Windows 10 OS from the device manufacturer’s website and check if the issue is resolved.

Method 2: Set your headphone as your default audio device. To do so, follow these steps.

• Right-click on the speaker icon on your taskbar.
• Select "Playback Devices".
• On a empty space, right click and select both Show Disconnected/Disabled Devices
  
• Check if your headphone is shown in the devices list.
• If yes, right click on it select and Set as default device.

Write to us with the answers to the above questions and the status of the issue on the same post for further assistance. Your reply is most important for us to ensure we assist you accordingly.

 

Audio issues with only the left side of headphones/earphones work.

Hi Charlie,

The port of the device could be the culprit why only the left side of your headphones works. A hardware or software changes could also be the reason for this kind of issue. However, let's not assume anything yet until we isolated your concern. We suggest
that you run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter in Windows Settings. Simply search for
Troubleshoot in the start menu. Under Find and fix other problems, click on
Hardware and Devices. We also suggest that you run the audio test for your headphones in Hardware and Sound. Here are the steps on how to do so:

• Go to Control Panel, then click on Hardware and Sound.
• Under Sound, click on Manage audio devices.
• Click on Headphones, then Configure at the bottom right.
• Run the test, and see if both sides of your headphones are working there.

If you think this was useful, feel free to "mark it as an answer" to help those who are facing the same problem.