Headphones not working on a laptop usually come down to output selection, a loose plug, disabled audio, or drivers; use the quick checks below.
Headphones Not Working On Laptop: Quick Checks
You plug in your headset, start a song, and silence. Most cases trace to simple, fixable settings or a tired cable. Start with the fast checks below.
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Fast Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No sound at all | Wrong output device | Select headphones as the output in system sound settings |
| Sound only in one ear | Loose plug or mono setting | Reinsert firmly; check balance and mono audio |
| Headset mic not heard | Input set to laptop mic | Switch input to headset mic in sound settings |
| Bass thin or hollow | Partial plug contact | Seat the plug fully; clean lint from the jack |
| Bluetooth pairs but no audio | App using another device | Set device as default and reconnect |
| Volume keys do nothing | Audio service or driver glitch | Restart the audio service; reboot |
| Only some apps are silent | Per-app volume at zero | Open the mixer and raise the app slider |
| Frequent dropouts | Radio interference or multipoint clash | Forget and re-pair; disable extra links |
| USB headset quiet | Low level or limiter | Raise device level in properties and in the app |
| Hiss or crackle | Poor port or cable | Try a new cable, port, or a USB audio adapter |
Confirm The Basics
Turn the laptop volume up. Nudge the app volume too. Tap the mute key and any mute in the app. If your keyboard has a mute light, check it.
Seat the 3.5 mm plug straight and firm. Many fails come from a plug that is a millimeter short. If a case or skin blocks the plug, remove it and try again. Peek into the jack with a light and knock out lint with a soft brush or a burst of air.
Test with another pair of earphones. Borrow a set if needed. If the second set plays fine, the first set likely has a worn plug, a broken wire near the strain relief, or a dead driver.
Pick The Right Output In Software
Windows and macOS can keep playing to speakers after you attach headphones. Pick the device you want in settings, then keep it as default.
Windows 11
Open Settings > System > Sound. Under Output, pick your headphones. Open the Volume mixer and raise the app slider. The Microsoft guide on fixing sound problems shows these paths and adds a troubleshooter.
macOS
Open System Settings > Sound. Pick your headphones under Output. If it keeps switching to a display or speaker, pick again and test. Apple’s page on sound output settings walks through the steps.
Tip: if you see the device twice, pick the one that says “Stereo” or the branded name, then test. Unplug and plug back in if the list looks stale.
Fix Wired Headsets With Combo Jacks
Most laptops use a single 4-pole 3.5 mm jack that carries stereo audio and a mic. Headphones with a 3-pole plug play fine. Headsets with a 4-pole plug need the same wiring standard to send the mic.
If your headset mic does not work, use a small TRRS to split-adapter that breaks the combo jack into separate headphone and mic jacks. Pick the mic side in sound settings. If your laptop has two jacks, plug each lead into the right port.
Older headsets wired to the OMTP pinout may not match newer CTIA jacks. A cheap pinout adapter often fixes that mismatch.
Update Or Roll Back Audio Drivers On Windows
Drivers can misbehave after a big update. Two quick paths help. First, run the built-in troubleshooter from the Microsoft Get Help app. Second, refresh the driver.
- Press Windows + X and open Device Manager.
- Expand Sound, video and game controllers, right-click your audio device, and pick Update driver.
- If the issue started this week, try Properties > Driver > Roll Back if that button is active.
- Reboot and test again.
The Microsoft help page on audio device fixes covers these steps and paths.
Tune Device Properties
In Windows, open Sound > More sound settings, pick your headphones in the Playback tab, and click Properties. On the Levels tab, raise the main level and balance. On Advanced, switch the default format and test. Turn off audio enhancements if the sound ducks or clips. On macOS, open Audio MIDI Setup and test different formats.
Some high-impedance cans need extra drive. Many 2021 and later Mac models detect load and boost the jack output for tougher headphones; Apple describes this in its note on high-impedance headphones. If your laptop struggles to push volume, a tiny USB DAC can help.
Fix Bluetooth Headphones That Pair But Stay Silent
Delete the pairing and link again. On Windows, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices, remove the headset, then pair once more. Pick the device in the output list. On macOS, remove the device in Bluetooth, then pair again and test. Stay close to the laptop while pairing.
If sound plays only on one side, unpair and pair both buds together while they are in the case, then open the case near the laptop. Microsoft’s note on one-channel audio names this pattern and the fix.
Turn off links to phones, TVs, or consoles that may grab the stream. Many headsets keep two links at once and flip between them. If your laptop has LE Audio, keep the earbuds on the latest firmware for smoother links.
Check App And Mixer Settings
Some apps hold an old device. In the app’s audio menu, pick the new device after you plug in or pair. In Windows, open the Volume mixer and raise each app slider. In macOS, confirm the app is not muted and is set to the right output. Close and reopen the app if the list does not refresh.
Switch sample rate if a stream refuses to play. In Windows, try 24-bit, 48 kHz, then 16-bit, 44.1 kHz. In macOS, set the rate in Audio MIDI Setup. Turn off any “exclusive mode” setting in pro apps when you want system sounds at the same time.
Rule Out Hardware Faults
Test the headphones on a phone, tablet, or another laptop. If they fail on every device, the headset needs service. If they work elsewhere, test your laptop with a different headset.
Try a second port on your laptop if one is available. A worn jack can feel loose or scratchy when you rotate the plug. A USB headset or a small USB-C audio adapter is a quick bypass for a bad jack.
For wired sets with inline controls, move the remote and listen for dropouts. A stiff bend near the plug often marks a cracked wire.
Power, Sleep, And Fast Start Quirks
Audio services can hang after sleep. Toggle airplane mode on and off to reset radio links. For wired sets, unplug, wait ten seconds, and reconnect. If problems always appear after wake, turn off fast startup in Windows and test. On macOS, keep the lid open during long downloads so Bluetooth stays linked.
Use A USB Audio Adapter Or DAC
A tiny USB audio adapter solves many jack and driver issues. It gives you a fresh digital path, clean output, and a mic input. Gamers like USB headsets for this reason. Pick a model with volume and mute buttons for quick control.
Windows And Mac Settings Paths At A Glance
| Task | Windows 11 Path | macOS Path |
|---|---|---|
| Select output | Settings > System > Sound > Output | System Settings > Sound > Output |
| Open mixer | Settings > System > Sound > Volume mixer | Per-app volume in app or menu bar |
| Change format | Sound > More sound settings > Playback > Properties > Advanced | Audio MIDI Setup > Format |
| Disable effects | Playback device > Properties > Enhancements | App EQ or off; macOS has fewer global effects |
| Reset Bluetooth | Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Remove device, then Add device | System Settings > Bluetooth > Forget, then Connect |
| Pick input mic | Settings > System > Sound > Input | System Settings > Sound > Input |
Special Cases Worth Checking
High-Impedance Headphones
Some studio cans need more voltage than a basic laptop jack can give. If the volume slider sits near max with little headroom, add a USB DAC or a tiny amp. Mac models from 2021 onward auto-boost the jack for these loads.
Headphone Safety Limits
Windows and macOS can warn and limit volume to protect hearing. Turn the limit off only after a safe check. Raise volume slowly when testing new gear.
External Displays
Monitors with speakers can seize audio over HDMI or USB-C. Pick your headphones again in the output list after you plug a display in. On Mac, Apple describes device switching behavior in its help guides.
Step-By-Step Fix Plan
- Plug firmly, clean the jack, and test a second headset.
- Pick the right output and raise the per-app volume.
- Reboot; then update or roll back audio drivers on Windows.
- Remove and re-pair Bluetooth, and keep only one active link.
- Change format, turn off effects, and retest in a new app.
- Bypass a suspect jack with a USB headset or USB DAC.
Save This Quick Checklist
Keep this list near your dock:
- Right device picked? Speakers vs headphones.
- Per-app volume raised and not muted.
- Plug fully seated; no lint in the jack.
- Bluetooth repaired and no extra links active.
- Driver refreshed and audio service running.
- Format switched if a stream fails to play.
- USB audio adapter ready as a fallback.