This issue is not specific to any Windows versions and is frequently reported on Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10. Note: Before you go through with the methods below, make sure you install any dedicated audio drivers that your motherboard might need. If you have a dedicated sound card, please install the correct drivers for it. In the event that you encounter this problem on a laptop, visit the manufacturer’s download website and download all audio drivers that are recommended for your particular model. If your Windows version doesn’t recognize your headphones (headset) when you plug them in, the following fixes will most likely help. Below you have a collection of methods that users in a similar situation have used to resolve the issue. Please follow each of the following methods in order until you encounter a fix that solves the problem in your particular situation.
1. Disable front panel jack detection (if applicable)
Some users have discovered that this issue occurs because of the way that the Realtek software manages the panel jacks. By disabling the headphone’s jack detection from the front panel jack, some users have managed to get their headphones recognized. This seems like an isolated Realtek software bug and might not occur in every version. Note: This method won’t be applicable if you’re not using Realtek HD Audio Manager to manage your sound streams. Here’s a quick guide on disabling headphone jack detection from the Realtek software:
2. Enable Multi-stream mode (if applicable)
Most of the time, this particular issue is caused by a Realtek HD Audio Manager setting. Some users have reported that their headsets were detected as soon as they enabled Multi-stream mode in Realtek HD Audio Manager settings. Note: This method is only applicable if you’re using a Realtek Audio driver. Here’s a quick guide on enabling multi-stream mode:
3. Updating to the latest audio drivers
Some affected users have managed to resolve the issue and get their PC to recognize their headphones by updating to the latest audio drivers available. Your computer might fail to recognize your headphones because Windows is not using the correct audio drivers or the drivers where corrupted after a bad installation – happens frequently when users update from an older version to Windows 10. The quickest way to inspect if your PC is using the correct audio drivers is via Device Manager. Here’s a quick guide on how to do this:
4. Change Default Sound Format
It is possible that the sound format that you have configured on your computer isn’t functioning properly with your headphones. Therefore, in this step, we will be changing the default sound format being used by the computer and check if that fixes this issue with the headphones. For that:
5. Change Driver
It is possible that the driver that you are using on your computer is preventing the proper detection of your headphones. Therefore, in this step, we will be configuring the computer to use the default audio driver used by Windows instead of the one that you have installed on your computer. For that:
6. Selecting the Proper Device
One common issue with the Realtek Audio Drivers is that you sometimes need to point out the device that you have just plugged into the computer for it to properly detect it. Therefore, in this step, we will be defining this device from the Realtek Control center. For that:
7. Scan for Hardware Changes
Sometimes you have to reinitialize your drivers in order for the headphones to work properly if they have been glitched out. Therefore, in this step, we will be navigating to the device manager and then uninstall every instance of the Realtek Audio Drivers. After that, we will be scanning for hardware changes to reinstall them automatically. For that:
8. Deferring Auto Upgrades
This step is vital for those people whose headphones/speakers aren’t being detected after a driver was updated. Therefore, in this step, we will first be downgrading to a previous version of the drivers and then we will prevent Windows from updating the drivers. For that:
9. Disable Exclusive Control
In some cases, applications might be taking exclusive control of your driver due to which the headphones might not be getting recognized. Therefore, in this step, we will be reconfiguring the driver settings to prevent applications from being able to take exclusive control of the device. For that:
10. Hiding Cortana from Taskbar
Some people have fixed this issue by hiding Cortana from their taskbar and some by disabling it temporarily. Therefore, in this step, we will be reconfiguring some Windows settings to first hide Cortana from our Taskbar and if that doesn’t work, we will try disabling Cortana completely. For that:
11. Running the Troubleshooter
It is possible that the headphones aren’t being recognized because the audio on your computer has been glitched out due to a driver failure. Therefore, in this step, we will be running the Windows Troubleshooter from the settings to check and fix any audio-related issues automatically. For that:
12. Selecting Headset
Some people were facing this issue with their headphones where either their microphone or their headphones weren’t being detected on Realtek Drivers. Therefore, in this step, we will be selecting headset instead of headphones to allow the computer to be able to recognize both your microphone and your headphones together. For that:
13. Changing Realtek Settings
In some cases, your Headphone might not be properly set up inside the Realtek Audio Manager due to which it isn’t being recognized by the computer. Therefore, in this step, we will be changing some Realtek settings which will allow us to set our headphones up as Stereo instead of 7.1 but for this, we will have to first change it to the latter. In order to do that:
14. Uninstall Realtek Drivers and Clean Registry
If you have been unable to fix this issue on your computer so far, you should try and get rid of the Realtek Drivers installed on your computer. In order to do this, we will have to uninstall the drivers completely, clear the registry of any residue, and then reinstall the drivers from a new source. In order to do this:
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