No Speakers or Headphones Are Plugged in Windows Fix (2023)

Discover how to fix no speakers or headphones are plugged in Windows If the sound hardware is excellent, but the computer is not giving an output, then you are on the right page.

This might occur in all brands of computers including Dell, HP, or any other.  So if you are looking to fix for a particular brand, this post is it. This works for Realtek high definition audio drivers, Dolby, or headphones.

There are many reasons, but the problem could arise due to the damaged hardware. We will cover all those possible solutions here so that your PC starts producing audio again.

How to fix no speakers or headphones are plugged in windows 11

There could be many reasons why the computer says no speakers or headphones are plugged in. The error could arise due to hardware defects, outdated audio drivers, or lack of administrative privileges. To confirm this, try to load your audio hardware into other devices and see if it works there or not. Do not try these fixes if the hardware is damaged. Only apply these solutions when there are no hardware defects.

Update Windows Software

So, if windows have released a new version of the operating system, some default hardware does not function properly, as we have discovered. Therefore, your first step should be to check if there are any new official releases from Microsoft.

Here is how you can check for Windows 11 updates:

• Right-click the start menu
• Select ‘settings’.
• Click ‘Update & Security’.
• And then, choose ‘Check for updates’.

Once you do this, Windows will scan its server to find if any new builds are out. You must be connected to a high-speed internet network and this might take a while to finish up. It also requires restarting your PC. Therefore, backup any data before performing the step and also make sure that the battery is good or connect the charger. If you run out of power during the process, it will affect your computer. So, be prepared.

After the scan is complete, all the new available builds will be displayed on the list below and it will automatically download the content. As a next step, just click on the update button if available. If there is no button, that means your device is not compatible with the new changes made. However, in most computers, Windows will automatically start installing new updates after downloading them.

This is a very simple & common solution that I used to fix my earphones a few weeks back. There was no problem with my hardware at all. Below are some more options that you can try to produce sound again.

Update audio drivers

Have you installed the latest audio drivers for windows 11? If there is an outdated audio driver, the sound will not work. You need to check their status first. Follow these steps to get the latest audio drivers for your computer. You will need a high-speed internet connection to update any driver on the PC.

1. Right-click on the start menu and go to ‘Control Panel.’
2. Select ‘Hardware and sound.’
3. Click on ‘Device Manager.’
4. Find ‘audio inputs and outputs’ and click on the arrow to the left to unlock more options.
5. There you will find different audio devices connected to your computer. Right-click on a device and select ‘Update Device Software.’
6. Click on ‘Search automatically for updated driver software.’ Windows will do your job.
7. Update all the listed audio devices one by one.

Fix Using Command Prompt

I am assuming that you already have the latest audio drivers installed. You can also use the command prompt to solve ‘no speakers or headphones are plugged in windows 11‘ issues. Perform the following steps to address the audio problem using the command prompt.

1. Go to the Cortana search box in Windows 11 taskbar and type ‘cmd.’
2. Right-click on ‘Command Prompt’ and select ‘Run as administrator.’
3. It will display a full-screen pop-up window asking for administrator permissions. Select ‘Yes.’
4. Now type the following code and press enter:
    net localgroup Administrators /add networkservice 
5. Then input this command and press enter again:
    net localgroup Administrators /add localservice 
6. Finally, close the command prompt and restart your PC.

In this way, we can solve audio hardware not detected in windows using the command prompt.

Troubleshooter

The troubleshooter is another excellent way to fix sound related issues in windows. You can launch it in the following ways.

• Press the “Windows + I” button simultaneously
• Click “Update & Security” on the settings window
• Select “Troubleshoot”
• Click on “Playing Audio”
• Select “Run the troubleshooter”

The system will now start scanning for errors and detect problems with audio. Just follow on-screen instructions and keep pressing next as it commands. You can easily fix sound issues using this, make sure you’re connected to the internet for more enhancements.

Hardware Maintenance

Sometimes hardware maintenance is required. It might cause no speakers or headphones are plugged in windows 10 problem. The first thing you need to do is check if cables, wires, and audio jacks are okay. There should not be any expired, old, or damaged audio devices. Sometimes broken internal circuits may also cause the problem. Check if there is no rust or dust in audio hardware. Make sure that the wire is fine and not bitten by children, pets, or subjected to cut. You have to take care of all these things properly before trying to solve technical issues with audio devices.

Plus, you can also check if there are any issues with the soundcard. If there are any problems related to audio hardware, please contact your PC manufacturer. There’s nothing we can do about a poorly manufactured product. You can either replace it if you have a warranty from the provider or buy a new one.

no speakers or headphones are plugged in windows 7 fix

For Windows 7 users, navigate to  Control Panel > Device Manager > Update Drivers . Then, right-click and update sound drivers and this should fix the problem. If this does not work, uninstall all the already existing sound drivers, unplug the sound cable, replug and reinstall the drivers once again.

Below is an alternative fix:

• Open start menu and select control panel
• Go to hardware & sound
• Choose ‘Manage Audio Device’ – found under sound.
• In the playback tab, right-click on the blank white space.
• Enable ‘show disconnected device’ & ‘show disconnected device’ options. There must be checkmarks on them.
• Then, download the IDT HD Audio Codec Driver.
• After downloading, install those codecs on your computer and it should fix.

no speakers or headphones are plugged in dell laptop advice

If you are using Dell, then the first fix would be to update the drivers. The steps to update drivers are the same as mentioned above for any operating system that you are using. In addition to all the solutions here, if none of them worked, try to reinstall windows at your own risk after data backup.

In case if it still fails to work, then a common reason could be that your hardware is damaged. You need to take your PC for repair in a computer hardware shop near you or official DELL vendors for warrantied laptops.

Conclusion

To solve no speakers or headphones are plugged in windows fix, update all audio drivers. If it didn’t work, then try using the command prompt to make the computer detect audio hardware. And in the end, if none of them worked, then there is only one reason: you have a terrible audio device. Let me know if any of the above methods helped you play audio in windows. [C U]