Windows detects headphones but there's no sound: why this happens and how to fix it

This is one of those mistakes that drives anyone crazy: Windows detects headphones but there is no soundYou can see the headphones in the sound tray; the green bars are even moving as if there were audio, but you don't hear a single click. Sometimes the sound comes out through the HDMI port, other times through a Bluetooth speaker, and the headphones are just there for show.

The good news is that, in most cases, The problem can be fixed at home with a little patience.Here you'll find a comprehensive guide with all the possible hardware and software troubleshooting steps for Windows 10 and Windows 11, including wired, USB, and Bluetooth headphones. The idea is to save you from jumping from tutorial to tutorial: everything is in one place, explained in Spanish (Spain) and in the clearest possible language.

Basic hardware checks: the first thing you should look at

Before getting bogged down with drivers, Windows services, and advanced settings, it's worth checking the simplest things: that the headphones, cables, and ports are really goodIt seems obvious, but many cases are resolved right here.

Start with the cable itself. Carefully check the entire route: look for cuts, unusual folds, flattened or peeling areasIf the cable has been caught by a chair leg, a drawer, or the edge of the desk, it is likely to be damaged internally even if it looks perfect on the outside.

Pay special attention to the ends, both the connector side and the side that goes into the headphones. That's where the most wear and tear occurs. The cable suffers from jerking and rough handling.If you have to find the "exact position" of the cable to make any sound when you move it, that's a bad sign: it's on its last legs and the most sensible thing to do is think about changing headphones or the cable, if it's detachable.

For 3,5 mm jack plugs, check the connector itself: that it does not have rust, dirt or lintSometimes simply blowing on it a little or cleaning it very carefully (without harsh liquids) is enough to restore good contact.

Also try the classic test: connect the headphones to another device (mobile phone, tablet, another PC, TV, etc.). If they sound good there, The problem is with your computer.If they don't work anywhere either, the headphones are most likely damaged and you'll need to process a warranty claim or replace them.

Double-check where and how you've connected them.

On a desktop PC, it's very easy to select the wrong port or use a damaged one. Most towers have front and rear minijacksAnd in many cases the internal cable that goes from the motherboard to the front panel is either incorrectly connected or broken.

If your headphones are analog (3,5 mm jack), make sure you plug them into the Correct port: the green one is for headphones/speakers And the pink one is for the microphone. Connecting them to the pink one is the typical mistake that makes Windows "see something" but you don't hear anything.

Many headsets come with a Y-cable (splitter) to separate the audio and microphone when using a single 4-pole jack (stereo + microphone) on the headset. This adapter can also fail. If you suspect it, Try the headphones without the splitter or with another adapter to rule out that the problem originates from there.

If your PC has a dedicated sound card (PCIe) in addition to the one integrated into the motherboard, you must connect the headphones to the correct sound cardConnecting them to the back panel of the motherboard while using the dedicated sound card can cause Windows to use a different audio device than the one you have physically connected.

Another key point: always test in several ports (front, rear, other USB ports). This helps you detect the problem. damaged or poorly connected portsIf it doesn't work in a front jack but it does in the rear one, the problem is probably in the front panel wiring and not in Windows.

Verify that Windows correctly detects the headphones.

Once you've ruled out an obvious cable or port issue, it's time to check what Windows is seeing. It's crucial to ensure the system is properly configured. It recognizes the device and has it enabled..

In Windows 10 and Windows 11, right-click on the speaker icon next to the clock and choose "Open sound settings"In the "Output" section you will see which device is currently selected as the audio output.

If your headphones are USB, they should appear by name (brand/model). If they're analog, you'll usually see something like "Speakers" or "Headphones" followed by the name of the audio chip (Realtek, for example). If nothing related appears or you only see "HDMI" or strange devices, they are probably not connected properly or the audio driver is malfunctioning.

In that same window, you can go to "Sound Control Panel" or "More sound options" (depending on your Windows version). The classic playback devices window will open, where you'll see the complete list of output devices.

• Locate your headphones (or the port they are connected to).
• Select them and press the "Set as default" button.
• Press "Test" to see if you can hear the test sound through the headphones.

If the device is disabled, it will appear grayed out. Right-click on it and select "Enable"If it doesn't appear in the list at all, the problem is almost certainly a physical connection or driver issue.

Volume adjustments, mutes, and physical controls

It sounds silly, but a lot of people go crazy because the The volume was either at minimum or silent. somewhere. And it's not always obvious.

First, check the Windows general volume Click the speaker icon in the taskbar. Raise the slider to a medium-high level and make sure the icon is not muted. Then go to Settings > System > Sound and check the output device volume as well.

Some headphones have their own wheel or volume control on the cable or earcupIf that dial is at the minimum, no matter how much you increase it in Windows, you won't hear anything. Turn the headphone volume control to around 70% and adjust the rest from your system settings.

If you suspect that silent mode is stuck on in Windows, you can disable it more directly: Go to Settings > System > Sound > More audio options. Right-click on your device, and then go to "Properties"Go to the "Levels" tab and check that the speaker doesn't have the mute icon. If it does, tap the icon to unmute it and tap OK.

When something as basic as this is the problem, it only takes a few seconds to the sound returns as if by magicThat's why it's always worth checking it before moving on to more complex solutions.

Select the correct audio output (HDMI, Bluetooth, USB…)

Windows can have several audio devices connected simultaneously: a graphics card via HDMI, a webcam with microphone and speaker, a Bluetooth speaker, a USB sound card… and often the system itself. It automatically chooses one that isn't the one you want..

It's very common for everything to work via HDMI (for example, to the monitor or TV), for a Bluetooth speaker to sound perfect, and for the headphones to remain silent simply because They are not marked as the default device.

To check, click the audio icon in the taskbar. In Windows 10, you can open the menu from there and choose your output device. In Windows 11, after clicking the volume icon, you'll see another small "Sound Output" icon: click it and select your headphones from the list.

If you have devices connected that you're not using (webcam with audio, controller with headphone output, USB speaker, etc.), try temporarily disconnect themSome are set as default without warning and don't even notify you when they disconnect, which is quite confusing.

Finally, return to the "Manage sound devices" window in Settings > Sound. There you can disable outputs you don't use and check, with the "Test" button, that The active output is actually that of your headphones..

Update, reinstall, or change the audio driver

If everything seems to be properly connected and configured but Windows is still behaving strangely, the problem most likely comes from the audio driversThey are outdated, damaged, or not suitable.

To manage them, open the Device ManagerType "device manager" in the search box on the taskbar and press Enter. Expand the "Sound, video and game controllers" or "Audio inputs and outputs" section.

Locate your sound card or your headphones (if they are USB) and right-click on the device. From here you can:

• Select "Update driver" and let Windows automatically search for updated driver software.
• If you can't find anything, go to the manufacturer's website (of the motherboard, sound card, or headphones) and download the latest available version from there.

If you suspect the driver is corrupt, you can also uninstall it: right-click on the device, choose "Uninstall device" and check the box "Delete the driver software for this device" if it appears. Then, restart your PC; Windows will attempt to automatically reinstall a working driver.

Another useful option is to force the use of generic Windows audio driverGo back to "Update driver," choose "Browse my computer for drivers" > "Let me pick from a list of available drivers," and select one of the generic drivers it suggests. Sometimes the manufacturer's driver has occasional problems, and the generic one performs better.

If all else fails and the sound stopped working right after an update, go back into the audio device properties, go to the "Driver" tab, and use the option "Revert controller" to revert to the previous version. When this option is enabled, it's usually a lifesaver if the problem appeared after a specific update.

Reinstall the motherboard drivers and audio codecs

There are stubborn cases where, even though Windows says the drivers are "perfect," the audio still doesn't come out of the headphones. That's where it usually makes the difference. Install the official motherboard drivers or from the sound card via their website.

First, identify your motherboard. Press Windows + R, type msinfo32 and press Enter. The System Information window will open, where you'll see "System Manufacturer" and "System Model". With this information, go to the manufacturer's website (ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, etc.) and look for the support or downloads section for your model.

On many devices with Realtek audio, for example, the solution involves downloading and reinstalling the Realtek Audio Driver offered by the motherboard manufacturer. Once installed and after restarting, numerous users have seen their headphones, which until then had been dead, finally start working.

Keep in mind that even if Windows doesn't offer an update via Windows Update, there may be one available. Latest version on the manufacturer's websiteThat's why it's important to check there when the problem persists.

Change sound format, upgrades, and advanced settings

Sometimes the problem isn't that the headphones aren't detected, but that The configured audio format is not supported or that some Windows "improvement" is causing conflicts.

To check this, go to Sound control panel (From Settings > Sound > More sound options), select your headphone device and tap on "Properties". Go to the "Advanced options" tab.

In "Default Format" you can change the sample rate and bit depth. Try setting a high standard value, such as 48 kHz, 16 bits (or 24 bits) in DVD quality or higherApply the changes and use the "Test" button to see if you can now hear anything.

In the "Enhancements" tab (or similar, depending on the driver), check if options such as "Sound Virtualization," "Equalizer," "Bass Boost," etc., are enabled. On some systems, these can cause issues. compatibility issues with certain headphonesCheck "Disable all enhancements" or disable "Enable audio enhancements", apply and restart your PC.

After restarting, check the sound again. If the problem was a conflicting enhancement, you'll notice that The headphones are working normally again. despite having lost that extra effect (which, in reality, is often not even noticeable).

If you continue to experience strange quality issues (cuts, distortions, metallic audio), you can play with different sound formats from this same tab until you find the one that best suits your headphones and audio chip.

Specific problems with Bluetooth and wireless headphones

If your headphones are Bluetooth (for example, Bluetooth LE AudioIf they use a 2,4 GHz wireless dongle, more factors come into play. Here, it's not just the audio that needs to be considered, but also... wireless connection, battery life, and interference.

First, check that the headphones have sufficient charge and are turned on in pairing mode. Many models require you to press and hold the power button for a few seconds until the LED blinks in a certain wayindicating that they are ready to connect.

Next, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices. Make sure your PC's Bluetooth is turned on and check if your headphones appear as connected. If they appear connected but there's no sound, check that They are selected as the default output device In the sound settings, just like we did before with wired headphones. If you want to share audio between devices, see how. Share audio via Bluetooth in Windows 11.

If they're still giving you trouble, try removing the device: in the Bluetooth list, click on the headphones and choose "Remove device." Then turn Bluetooth off and on again, put the headphones into pairing mode, and click "Add Bluetooth device." Let Windows detect and pair them from scratch.

For wireless USB dongles, try connecting them to different ports, ideally on the front or using a USB extension cable, to move them away from other devices. This helps reduce interference. interference with other wireless peripherals or with the PC case itself, which sometimes acts as a "screen" and worsens the signal.

Don't forget that some headphones may be connected to another device at the same time (for example, to your mobile phone). If they are paired and active on your phone, the audio may be being routed there. Check on your mobile phone, tablet, console, or other devices and Check if your headphones are compatible with Bluetooth LE Audio before using them on the PC.

Using the Bluetooth troubleshooter in Windows

When the problem clearly seems to be Bluetooth-related (they don't appear, they don't pair, they disconnect instantly), Windows also includes a Bluetooth-specific troubleshooter.

Go back to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters (Windows 10), or Settings > System > Troubleshooting > Other troubleshooters (Windows 11). Search for "Bluetooth" and click on "Run the troubleshooter".

This tool will check if the Bluetooth adapter is properly installed, if there are driver conflicts, or if any related services are disabled. Sometimes it will suggest enabling features, reinstalling drivers, or other actions. Apply configuration changes that fix the connection.

If even with this you still can't get Bluetooth to work reasonably well, there are two clear suspects: either the The PC's Bluetooth module is malfunctioning (USB adapter or integrated chip on the motherboard) or the headphones themselves have a hardware problem. To be sure, try them on other computers and try other Bluetooth headphones on your PC.

When helmets are under warranty, the best thing to do is manage the repair or replacementIf they aren't, and you've confirmed that everything else is working properly, you'll probably have to pay up and get some new ones.

Windows detects headphones but there's no sound: what if it's a hardware problem?

After checking cables, ports, sound settings, drivers, services, Bluetooth, and so on, there comes a point where if nothing makes sense, The problem is most likely purely physical.It's time to check the hardware.

If your headphones fail on several different devices, even with different cables or adapters, you can pretty much assume they're faulty. If they only fail on your PC, but other headphones work fine there, then the problem lies with the device itself. that specific set of headphones with that computer, whether due to compatibility or a latent fault.

In the case of front panel ports that never work or suddenly stopped working, it's worth opening the case (if you know what you're doing) and checking that the front audio cable is properly connected to the motherboard and isn't bent or pinched. But if you don't feel like tinkering inside, Use the rear ports or a small USB sound card It is usually a simple and cheap solution.

After following all these steps, you should be able to tell whether you were dealing with a silly configuration error, a rogue driver, or a hardware problem that can no longer be fixed with adjustments. And, above all, you'll have much more control over How Windows handles audio and your devicesSo that the next time something stops making noise, you'll know exactly where to start looking.