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Fix: Windows 11 Headphones not Working [Audio Jack / USB]
It’s usually the drivers or settings to blame
6 min. read
Updated onJuly 24, 2024
updated onJuly 24, 2024
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Key notes
To fix various driver issues on your PC, you will need a dedicated tool to find the freshest and the original drivers. You can use PC HelpSoft Driver Updater to do it in 3 easy steps:
For a full-on PC experience, it’s best to useheadphones, but many reported that headphones are not working in Windows 11.
As not all devices are perfect, you are bound to find some issues while using them, with different levels of complexity.
Sometimes, it might be just a headphone connection problem, or the earphones are not working in others. This issue can appear on any OS, and many reported that headphones aren’t detected on Windows 10 either.
That being said, generally speaking, headphone issues can be split into two categories:
Physical damage to your headphones can vary from dropping them on the floor to damaging the cable connection or submerging them into the water.
To avoid issues relating to water, it is recommended that you invest in a good set of sweat and waterproof headphones.
There are situations in which the OS causes inconveniences you’re running on your device, and to that effect, some users have complained about encountering them on their Windows 11 devices.
Why are my headphones not working on Windows 11?
When your headphones are not working in Windows 11, it’s a software-related issue. For example, it could be due to anoutdated or corrupt Windows 11 headphones driver, misconfigured sound settings, or the headphones not being set as the primary output device.
Besides, you can’t rule out the hardware aspect completely. If it’s an old wired headphone, check the cable for damages, especially near the part with the jack or USB. Lines are prone to damage at that end due to excessive bending.
You can connect the headphones to another computer to verify if the problem lies with it or the system it was connected to earlier.
If there’s a hardware problem, you might getNo jack information availablemessage on Windows 11.
Moreover, the following are common error variations that you may encounter, but nonetheless, fix with the solutions provided below:
How do I get Windows 11 to recognize my headphones?
1. Update your audio drivers
With this option, Windows will search your PC for the best available driver and install it on the computer. Installing the updated drivers can help fix issues likeWindows 11 can’t switch audio devices automatically. Also update your chipset drivers if the playback device is missing.
To eliminate the possibility of causing even more issues, a more straightforward way to deal with this problem is to use specialized software such asOutbyte Driver Updater.
⇒Get Outbyte Driver Updater
2. Ensure that the headphones are connected properly
Some users forget to check the cable connections, which can sometimes causeno sound on Windows.
When headphones are not working in Windows 11, you should ensure that the cable is connected correctly to your PC.
You should also consider restarting your headset and the computer if this doesn’t do the trick. This way, you will be able to notice if theaudio jack stops working, and it will help fix things if the headphone jack is not working in Windows 11 on Dell.
3. Set the headphones as a default sound output
This is a simple solution, but it can work if the Corsair headset is not working on Windows 11 and other headphone manufacturers.
4. Run the sound troubleshooter
Sometimes a simple solution is all it takes if headphones are not detected in Windows 11 on Dell devices. Keep in mind that this solution also works for other brands.
5. Update your OS
That’s it! By now, you would have the headphones working fine on Windows 11.
How do I reset my headphones on Windows 11?
What issues may you encounter while using headphones?
One of the most common signs of using your headphones wrong is not taking care of the cable. This can causedistorted audio,audio buzzing, or crackling noise, resulting in a bad experience.
Drivers can sometimes fail, whether talking about wireless in-ear or other headphones. This issue may occur due to a driver setup that doesn’t have a long life by design.
Some users misunderstand the IP ratings of their headphones. The Ingress Protection rating tells you if your device is resistant to interactions.
Do headphones require special drivers to work?
Most headphones are plug-and-play, meaning you need to connect them to your PC, and they should start working automatically.
However, high-end models, USB or Bluetooth headphones, might require special drivers to work correctly.
If your Windows 11 is not detecting the headphone mic, there may be a hardware issue.
As you can see, there are plenty of solutions you can choose if your headphones aren’t working on your Windows 11 device. Since these are the best available options, our article should prove helpful.
In most cases, the issue is related to your configuration or drivers, but sometimes, your sound card can be the source of the problem.
If you managed to fix the problem, why not useheadphone software to boost your audio quality?
Also, find out what to do ifBluetooth headphones are not working or keep disconnectingin Windows 11.
Because your opinion is important to us, please share it in the section below. Also, subscribe to our newsletter for the most exciting Windows 11-related subjects.
More about the topics:Headphones issues,Windows 11
Loredana Harsana
Windows Software Expert
Loredana is a passionate writer with a keen interest in PC software and technology. She started off writing about mobile phones back when Samsung Galaxy S II was on top of the world and she fell in love with tech of all sorts.
Whenever she’s not at her work desk, you’ll find her enjoying refreshing tea flavors, spilling stories on paper, and listening to the radio.
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Loredana Harsana
Windows Software Expert
Loredana is a tech enthusiast who tackles mobility, privacy, and networking in easy-to follow guides for everyone.
