5 Easy Fixes for Windows 11 Not Recognizing Wired Headphones

To get the full PC experience, it's best to use headphones, but many people report that headphones don't work in Windows 11.

Since not all devices are perfect, you are bound to find some problems when using them, with varying degrees of complexity.

Sometimes, it might just be a headphone connection issue, or the headphones aren't working properly in others. This issue can occur on any operating system, and many people have reported that the headphones are not detected on Windows 10 as well.

Having said that, generally speaking, headphone problems can be divided into two categories:

• Physical damage
• Software related issues

Physical damage to headphones can vary from being dropped on the floor to damaging the cable connections or submerging them in water.

To avoid water-related problems, it is recommended that you invest in a good set of sweat-proof and waterproof headphones.

In some cases, the inconvenience is caused by the operating system you are running on your device, hence, some users complained of facing these inconveniences on their Windows 11 devices.

Why don't my headphones work when I plug them into Windows 11?

When your headphones don’t work properly in Windows 11, it’s a software-related issue. For example, it could be due to outdated or corrupted Windows 11 headphone drivers, misconfigured sound settings, or headphones not being set as the primary output device.

Also, you can't completely rule out the hardware aspect. If they are older wired headphones, check the cable for damage, especially near the part with the jack or USB. The line is prone to damage at this end due to excessive bending.

You can connect the headset to another computer to verify whether the problem is with it or the previously connected system.

What problems may you encounter when using headphones?

• Damaged Cable

One of the most common signs of misuse of headphones is failure to maintain the cable. This can cause audio distortion, audio hum, or crackling, resulting in a poor audio experience.

• OVERUSE OF VOLUME

Drivers sometimes fail, whether we're talking about wireless in-ears or other types of headphones. This issue may occur because the driver settings are not designed to have a long life.

• Non-compliance with the Ingress Protection Code (IP Rating)

Some users misunderstand the IP rating of their headphones. The ingress protection level tells you whether your device is resistant to interaction.

The IP rating table displays the details of such ratings

As can be seen from the above image, the IP rating consists of two digits:

• The first number represents protection against solid objects (such as dust), we note the following:
  • 0 means no protection
  • 6 means full protection
  • X usually means the manufacturer has not tested protection against solids
• The second number refers to protection against liquids, we consider these:
  • 0 again means no protection
  • 8 means excellent protection

If there is a hardware issue, you may receive the No Jacks Available message on Windows 11.

Are wired headphones better than Bluetooth headphones?

Wired headphones generally offer better sound quality and less latency. Additionally, they are easier to set up since you only need to connect them to an audio port on your PC.

Wireless models, on the other hand, are more convenient and you don’t have to worry about cables getting stuck; plus, you can move around the room without taking off the headphones.

In most cases, Bluetooth headphones are helpful if you don't want to deal with wires, but for the most part, we'd go with the wired model.

What should I do if Windows 11 cannot recognize wired headphones?

1. Update your audio driver

1. Press the Windows key and select from the popup windowX Device Manager.
   
2. Expand Audio Input and Output, right-click on your headphones, and select Update Driver.
   
3. Click to automatically search for drivers.
   

#Using this option, Windows will search your PC for the best available driver and install it on your computer. If the playback device is missing, you may also need to update the chipset driver.

To eliminate the possibility of causing further problems, a more direct way to solve this problem is to use specialized software such as DriverFix.

2. Make sure the headset is connected correctly

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Some users forget to check the cable connection, which sometimes results in no sound in Windows.

When headphones are not working in Windows 11, you should make sure that the cable is properly connected to your PC.

If this doesn't work, you should also consider restarting your headset and computer. This way, you will be able to notice if the audio jack has stopped working, and it will help resolve the issue if the headphone jack is not working properly in Windows 11 on Dell.

3. Set the headset as the default sound output

1. Right-click the sound icon in the taskbar and select Sound Settings.
   
2. In the Output section, select the Headphones option.
   
3. Test if your headphones are working properly, if not, follow the next method.

This is a simple solution, but it can work if your Corsair headset doesn't work with Windows 11 and other headset manufacturers.

4. Run the Sound Troubleshooter

1. Press the Windows key and Xselect Settings from the popup that appears.
   
2. Select System and click Troubleshoot.
   
3. Select other troubleshooters.
   
4. Search for Playing Audio and click the Run button.
   

If your headphones are not detected in Windows 11 on your Dell device, sometimes a simple solution is all you need. Keep in mind that this solution works for other brands as well.

5. Update your operating system

1. Click the Search icon in the Windows taskbar.
   
2. Type update and select the Check for updates option from the list.
   
3. Once the Settings app opens, click the blue Check for Updates button.
   
4. Wait for the process to complete and install the update.
5. After the installation is complete, restart your computer to apply the changes.

That’s it! So far, your headphones are working fine on Windows 11.

How to reset headphones on Windows 11?

1. Press Windows S to open the search menu, enter Sound Settings in the text field, and click on the relevant search result.
2. Scroll down and click More sound settings.
3. Right-click on the headset you want to reset and select Properties.
4. Navigate to the Enhancement tab and click the Restore Defaults button.
5. Similarly, use the "Restore Defaults" button to go to other tabs and click on it to reset the headset.

Do headphones require special drivers to work?

Most headsets are plug-and-play, meaning you just connect them to your PC and they start working automatically.

However, high-end models, USB or Bluetooth headsets may require special drivers to work properly.

If your headset isn't detected by Windows 11, there might be a hardware issue.

Are USB headphones better than headphones with a 3.5mm audio jack?

3.5mm headphones are universal and can be used with any audio device with an AUX port.

To produce sound, these devices convert the audio from a digital signal to an analog signal, sometimes resulting in a loss of quality.

#Wear and tear is also a common problem that can lead to noise and other audio-related issues.

On the other hand, USB headsets provide better sound quality without losing information. This is achieved through digital transformation.

We must also mention that these headphones have their own audio processing system, which results in higher audio quality.

As you can see, if your headphones aren’t working on your Windows 11 device, you have several solutions. Since these are the best options available, our article should help.

In most cases, the problem is related to your configuration or drivers, but sometimes your sound card can be the source of the problem.

If you manage to solve the problem, why not consider using headphone software to improve your audio quality?

Also, learn what to do if your Bluetooth headphones aren't working or keep disconnecting in Windows 11.

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