11 ways to fix your computer not recognizing headphones

When you use the computer a lot, the headset not being able to connect to the computer is a very common error. What is the cause of the error of the computer not recognizing headphones? Why can't I listen when I plug headphones into my laptop? How to effectively solve the problem of computers not recognizing headphones or laptops not recognizing headphones? Let TipsMake answer those questions for you here.

Reason why the computer does not recognize the headset

Why doesn't the computer recognize the headset? There are many reasons as follows:

1. Headphone is broken.
2. Having problems with the headphone jack.
3. The jack is covered in dust.
4. The headphone portion of the system audio is disabled.
5. Driver conflict.
6. The latest driver has not been updated.

Check if the headphones are damaged?

You can use another headset plugged into your laptop, or try plugging the headset you're using into another device to determine whether the problem is with the headset or the computer.

If your computer still recognizes other headphones normally, your headphones are damaged. Please use other headphones instead!

Check if the headphone jack is compatible with the laptop?

First, you need to carefully check the headphone jack to make sure it actually fits your computer. 

Because sometimes, we often encounter a situation where the shape and size of the headphone jack does not match the available connection port on the computer, leading to the computer not being able to connect headphones. 

This is also something you need to keep in mind when choosing to buy accessories that come with your computer, laptop, tablet or phone (for example: headphones, USB,.).

In addition, desktop hard drives are often equipped with 2-3 headphone jacks. Make sure the position is correct to insert the headset correctly. Normally, the headphone slot will have a blue headphone icon.

11 ways to fix your computer not recognizing headphones Picture 1

Check the headphone connection port to the laptop

A faulty connection port is also the reason why the computer does not recognize the headset . It is possible that due to long-term use of the device and headphone jack, dust and dirt accumulate, affecting the connection.

Therefore, you should keep the machine clean. Then, gently insert the plug into the connector, turn it gently and slowly until it makes a sound. Also, try checking if the volume buttons on the speaker are at the lowest level.

If you have done all of the above methods and still cannot resolve the error of the computer not recognizing the headset , it may be due to a damaged headphone connection port. Please bring the device to a warranty center for repair.

Try restarting your computer

When a laptop performs many overlapping tasks, the machine has to process a lot and will easily be overloaded. Therefore, it may happen that the laptop does not recognize the headset.

If your laptop is not connected to your headset and is freezing, slow, or not working properly, you should try restarting your computer.

This will also help free up tasks and eliminate background software that consumes your computer's RAM.

11 ways to fix your computer not recognizing headphones Picture 2

Check your computer's sound settings

To check your computer's sound settings, there are two ways:

Check the Volume Mixer

Step 1 : Right click on the speaker icon on the taskbar and select Open Volume Mixer .

11 ways to fix your computer not recognizing headphones Picture 3

Step 2 : Observe the 2 devices and applications to check if the device is muted or not. If so, adjust it back to audio mode by clicking the speaker icon.

11 ways to fix your computer not recognizing headphones Picture 4

Check Device Usage

Step 1 : Right click on the speaker icon on the Taskbar and select Sounds .

11 ways to fix your computer not recognizing headphones Picture 5

Step 2 : Select Playback , right-click Headphones and select Properties .

11 ways to fix your computer not recognizing headphones Picture 6

Step 3 : In the Device usage section , select Use this device (enable) then click OK .

11 ways to fix your computer not recognizing headphones Picture 7

Use the built-in audio troubleshooting feature

Step 1 : Right in the Windows window, type troubleshoot then open Troubleshoot Settings .

11 ways to fix your computer not recognizing headphones Picture 8

Step 2 : Click on Additional troubleshooters .

11 ways to fix your computer not recognizing headphones Picture 9

Step 3 : Click Playing audio and then select Run the troubleshooter .

11 ways to fix your computer not recognizing headphones Picture 10

Step 4 : Tick Headphones and press Next .

11 ways to fix your computer not recognizing headphones Picture 11

Step 5 : Click No, Do not open Audio Enhancements .

11 ways to fix your computer not recognizing headphones Picture 12

Step 6 : Continue to select Play test sounds.

11 ways to fix your computer not recognizing headphones Picture 13

If you've done it but can't hear anything when you plug the headset into the computer , select I didn't hear anything . After you choose this step, Windows will automatically reinstall your driver.

11 ways to fix your computer not recognizing headphones Picture 14

Check and update audio drivers

If the error of your laptop not recognizing headphones is not due to dust, try updating or reinstalling the sound card driver. To fix headphone connection errors on other devices by reinstalling the audio driver, you can follow the step-by-step instructions below.

Step 1 : Enter the words Appwiz.cpl into the search box on the Start Menu or Taskbar then click OK to open the Device Manager window .

11 ways to fix your computer not recognizing headphones Picture 15

Step 2 : Search for the audio driver, right-click and select Uninstall , click Yes on the confirmation dialog box to uninstall the audio driver.

11 ways to fix your computer not recognizing headphones Picture 16

Reinstall the audio driver

In addition to having to install a new driver to solve the problem of plugging the headset into the computer and not receiving it , we can still consider updating the driver to the latest version. 

The computer does not recognize the headset, it may be because the driver conflicts with some application during use without our knowledge, or because the audio driver is outdated and no longer suitable for the device's configuration, model and configuration. device image. 

At this time, you need to try updating the latest sound driver to solve the problem of your computer or laptop not recognizing the headphones.

Clean the headphone jack

Why can't I listen when I plug headphones into the computer? It's possible that the headphone jack is covered in dust after long periods of use, limiting the contact pins of the connection port. It's even possible that the headphone jack is a bit loose when plugged into the computer. 

At this time, clean the inside of the device's headphone jack so that the power cord can reach the jack more easily. Headphones should be cleaned regularly to minimize dust and dirt affecting the connection between the headphones and the device.

Change to another headset

If you can't hear the headset plugged into your laptop , or the computer can't recognize the headset, try another headset. At this point, if the new headphones work, it seems like your old headphones are broken. If the computer does not recognize the headset , you can refer to other solutions.

Check the laptop when it doesn't recognize the bluetooth headset

First, you need to turn on the headset and turn on the Bluetooth function on the computer at the same time. Some Bluetooth headsets cannot connect when the power is low, so the headset's battery capacity may be low. 

Next, close all other unnecessary Bluetooth connections for both devices. Many devices will no longer accept any bluetooth devices because the old connection count is full.

Frequently asked questions

Some frequently asked questions about this issue:

How to play sound from headphones and external speakers at the same time?

To play the speakerphone and headphone sound at the same time, follow these instructions:

1. Step 1: Plug the headset into the computer, and make sure the external speakers are also turned on.

1. Step 2 : Right click on the Volume icon on the taskbar, select Sounds .

11 ways to fix your computer not recognizing headphones Picture 17

1. Step 3: In the Sounds dialog box , select Playback , then right-click on the speaker icon, select Set as default device to set the default speaker. If you don't see the Set as default device command , it means that your computer has already installed the default speaker.

11 ways to fix your computer not recognizing headphones Picture 18

1. Step 4: Switch to the Recording tab , right-click the Microphone icon, select Properties .

11 ways to fix your computer not recognizing headphones Picture 19

1. Step 5 : Click on the Listen tab and check the Listen to the device box then click OK > Apply and you're done.

11 ways to fix your computer not recognizing headphones Picture 20

How to increase or decrease the volume on headphones?

Once the headset is connected to the computer, you can easily adjust the volume on the headset similar to adjusting the volume on the external speaker.

Why doesn't a newly purchased laptop accept headphones?

In this case, try plugging in headphones, if that doesn't work, follow these steps: Press the Windows + I key combination at the same time and open Windows Settings , click Update & Security and continue to select Troubleshoot > Playing audio to see Is it possible to fix it?

Computer loses sound from external speakers and headphones?

In case the computer loses both external speaker and headphone sound, try checking the volume on the computer, network volume, and checking sound settings. If you've checked it all over but still can't find any errors, take it to a reputable warranty facility for repair.

Epilogue

Above are ways to help you fix your computer that doesn't recognize headphones right at home. TipsMake hopes that they will help you.

Jessica Tanner

Update 12 October 2023