How to Fix Headphones Not Working on Laptop (Windows 11/10)

Jul. 15, 2025 / Updated by Seraphina to Windows 11

fix-headphones-not-working-on-laptop

When using a Windows 11/10 laptop, many users may encounter an issue where their headphones produce no sound or are not recognized by the system.

This problem can affect audio playback and voice communication, and is often related to audio drivers, system settings, or hardware malfunctions.

This article will explain the common causes and provide several effective solutions to help you quickly restore headphone functionality.

1. Common Symptoms When Headphones Don't Work

No sound output after plugging in headphones
The system fails to recognize the headphone device
Audio continues playing through laptop speakers
Audio icon shows a red cross or no output device
Inability to switch audio output in applications

2. Possible Causes of Headphones Not Working

Outdated or corrupted audio drivers
Incorrect audio settings (default output device not set to headphones)
Faulty audio jack or port
Windows system updates or configuration conflicts
Third-party software disabling headphone output
Damaged headphones

3. How to Fix Headphones Not Working on a Laptop

Method 1: Check Physical Connection

Ensure the headphone plug is firmly inserted into the audio jack (3.5mm or USB).

Try plugging the headphones into another device to verify they work properly.

Test your laptop's audio port with a different pair of headphones.

Method 2: Update Audio Drivers

Driver issues are one of the most common causes of headphone malfunction. For users unfamiliar with manual driver installation, it's recommend to use the Driver Talent tool, which automatically detects and updates missing or outdated drivers with one click.

Download Driver Talent

Click the download button to get the latest version of Driver Talent, install and launch the software.
Click "Scan" to detect all driver issues on your system.
Locate the audio driver in the results and click "Update".

driver-update

Restart your laptop after the update to ensure changes take effect.

Method 3: Set Headphones as Default Playback Device

Right-click the volume icon on the taskbar and select "Sounds".

Go to the "Playback" tab, select your headphones (e.g., "Realtek Audio" or "USB Audio").

set-as-default-device

Click "Set Default" to ensure audio is routed through headphones.

Test the audio output.

Method 4: Reinstall Audio Drivers

Press Win + X and select "Device Manager".
Expand "Audio inputs and outputs", right-click on your headphone or audio device, and select "Uninstall device".
Restart your laptop. Windows will automatically reinstall the drivers.
Test if your headphones work properly.

Method 5: Run the Audio Troubleshooter

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.

Find "Playing Audio" and click "Run the troubleshooter".

run-the-audio-troubleshooter

Follow the on-screen instructions to diagnose and fix issues automatically.

Method 6: Disable Audio Enhancements

Right-click the volume icon and choose "Sounds".

In the "Playback" tab, select the default playback device and click "Properties".

Under the "Enhancements" tab, check "Disable all sound effects", then click "OK".

disable-audio-enhancements

Check if the sound output returns to normal.

Method 7: Check for Windows Updates

Go to "Settings" > "Update & Security" > "Windows Update" > "Check for updates".

Install any available updates, as they may include important fixes for audio problems.

4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Sound still comes from speakers after plugging in headphones, what should I do?

A: Check if the output device is set to headphones. You can also try restarting the audio service.

Q2: Windows recognizes the headphones, but there's no sound?

A: This could be due to muted volume, incorrect settings, or driver issues. Check volume levels and update the audio driver.

Q3: Bluetooth headphones not working?

A: Unpair and reconnect the device. If the issue persists, remove it from "Bluetooth & other devices" and re-add it.