Many laptop users working with Windows often encounter a rather unpleasant situation when there is no sound when connecting headphones or a headset, although at first glance no problems seemed to be noticed. Why the headphones do not connect to a laptop with Windows 10 and below, then we’ll try to figure it out. Having considered several particular cases of such a phenomenon, the most effective solution will be proposed for each of them, which will eliminate most of the known problems.
Why headphones do not connect to a laptop: reasons
The first step is to focus on the root causes of this situation. Among the main problems that theoretically could cause the appearance of various kinds of malfunctions in the operation of the connected equipment, the following aspects can be absolutely surely identified:
- the headphones themselves are broken, or the input jacks are damaged;
- the headphones are not connected correctly, which mainly applies to headsets with several connectors;
- sound card drivers are installed incorrectly or need to be updated;
- There are problems with the drivers of the wireless headphones and those responsible for establishing the connection of the modules;
- incorrect soundbar is configured;
- the appearance of conflicts due to the installation of system updates;
- short-term disruptions in the operation of the operating system, including due to exposure to viruses.
Headphone Diagnostics
Based on why the headphones do not connect to the laptop, let's proceed to eliminate the problems described above. The first thing you really need to do is sometimes check the headphones or headset themselves for performance if you connect them to your laptop for the first time. It is possible that the devices have a factory defect, and you did not check their operability upon purchase. It may well be that the entrance to the laptop also does not work. In this case, just try to connect exactly the working devices and check if a sound appears. Sometimes, especially when connecting a headset with several wires, it is recommended to check the correct connection of the wires to the corresponding inputs on the laptop. Also, pay special attention to the volume control.
It may well be that the overall level is set to the limit, but the playback volume in the same browser when watching a movie is at zero.
Why can't the headphones connect to a laptop with Windows 7 and above? Troubleshoot update issues.
But problems of a purely physical nature are not the most critical, and with the components described above everything can be in perfect order. So why the headphones do not connect to a laptop with Windows 8 or another similar system not at the first connection, but much later, because until a certain point everything worked? It's no secret that for all the latest versions of Windows, Microsoft Corporation with enviable constancy releases all kinds of updates, which, unfortunately, are often quite unfinished. There are cases of loss of sound in the same "seven" (not to mention the appearance of blue screens), and even in the "top ten" (which is only worth the latest update, released in October this year). As a solution to the problem, we can suggest their removal.
To do this, you need to use the programs and components section, go to the item on viewing installed updates and remove all the latest packages one by one, rebooting the system and checking its operability. When the package that caused the failure is found, when the search for updates is repeated in the manual mode, it will need to be excluded from the mandatory installation list.
Checking the status of the sound adapter drivers
Now consider why the headphones do not connect to the laptop when the above problems are not observed. In most cases, this is due solely to the soundcard drivers. Despite the fact that Windows installs drivers for almost all integrated devices on its own, it is better to reinstall the software from the original disk that came with the purchase of the laptop.
You can do even easier by using universal utilities with drivers like DriverPack Solution Online, SlimDrivers, Driver Booster, etc.
If no instrument gives the desired effect, in the “Device Manager” determine the identifiers of the installed audio equipment and search for the driver on the Internet using them, and install the found driver manually.
Sound setting
Let's find out why the headphones do not connect to the laptop when the relevance and correct installation of the drivers is beyond doubt. It is possible that in the system itself the sound is configured incorrectly.
First, in the sound settings section, check the playback devices for the default one. Some models of headphones and headsets are defined in such settings. If they are not in the list, through RMB, set the display of hidden and disconnected devices, and then use the necessary.
If you have a Realtek sound card on your laptop, look at the soundbar settings. In it, it is necessary to tick off the item for separating inputs. It also does not hurt to inspect the use of separation of panel sockets. If it is active, then it should be disabled.
Checking the performance of wireless headphones and headsets
Finally, we should separately dwell on why wireless headphones are not connected to the laptop. There are not many options. Among the root causes, one can distinguish the disconnected state or the absence of wireless modules (for example, Bluetooth) on the laptop, as well as all the same problems with the drivers. As it has already become clear, to correct the situation, you can apply the above solutions for installing or updating the control software, and at the same time turn on all the modules with special buttons or software. If you find out why bluetooth headphones and headsets are not connected to the laptop, you need to pay special attention to the inclusion of wireless modules on the devices of this type. It may well be that the system does not see them just because of deactivation.
Other solutions
Finally, do not forget that some types of dangerous viruses can also adversely affect the state of the sound system. If none of the above helps, try scanning your laptop completely with some portable scanner and get rid of the threats if it is found. According to users, when short-term errors occur in the operating system itself, a regular reboot or (in especially critical cases) its restoration to a previous state sometimes helps. Sometimes it happens that a sequential decrease in volume with a subsequent increase in sound level also gives a result (sometimes the level in the tray seems to be displayed at maximum, but in fact the sound turns off).