Audio output issue

Elijah LeTourneau 0 Reputation points
2026-09-09T21:09:20.9933333+00:00

I have a wired headset that has two 3.5mm audio jacks for input and output. When I first turn on the computer there is no audio and the option for the headset doesn't show up as and option, if i click more sound and settings it shows that it is not plugged in(on the screen where it shows disabled and enabled sound options). If I un plug and plug in just the audio 3.5mm audio jack for sound I can somehow get it to start working, but if I click on the device under output in the sound setting page it will disconnect and then when I go to the other screen it says its not plugged in. I recently installed windows 11 so I am guessing it has something to do with that. I tried uninstalling the device and restarting the computer but the same thing happens. I tried windows troubleshooting, nothing.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Devices and drivers
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  1. Ferdinand Nanalig 32,825 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-09T23:47:42.71+00:00

    Since you just installed Windows 11, please go to your motherboard or laptop manufacturer's website directly and download the specific audio driver for your model.

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  2. Ferdinand Nanalig 32,825 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-09T21:58:00.1233333+00:00

    Hi, let me help you.

    Does it also happen when you try another headset?

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  3. AI answer

    2026-09-09T21:09:37.9366667+00:00

    Since uninstalling the device, restarting, and running the troubleshooter were already tried, focus on output selection and the audio driver path that commonly breaks after a Windows 11 change.

    1. Check the active output device
      • Go to Start > Settings > System > Sound.
      • Under Output, select the correct device for the wired headset or speakers.
      • Make sure volume is not muted.
      • If multiple outputs appear, Windows may be switching to the wrong one.
    2. Set the headset/audio device as the default playback device
      • Go to Start > Settings > System > Sound.
      • Select More sound settings > Playback.
      • Right-click the correct audio device and select Set as default.
      • This is especially important if HDMI, monitor audio, USB audio, or other outputs are present.
    3. Turn off audio enhancements
      • Go to Start > Settings > System > Sound.
      • In Output, select the audio device being used.
      • Scroll to Advanced settings and set Audio enhancements to Off.
      • Audio enhancements can cause devices to disconnect or fail to play correctly.
    4. Check whether the audio device is detected in Device Manager
      • Select Start, type Device Manager, and open it.
      • Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
      • If the audio device appears, right-click it and select Enable device if that option is available.
      • If it does not appear, select View > Show hidden devices, then Action > Scan for hardware changes.
    5. Install the latest audio driver from the PC or motherboard manufacturer
      • If the driver is missing, outdated, or incompatible, Windows may show the headset as not plugged in.
      • Download the latest audio driver for the exact PC or motherboard model from the manufacturer’s support site.
      • Install it, then restart the PC.
    6. Update or reinstall the audio driver from Device Manager
      • In Device Manager, expand Sound, video and game controllers.
      • Right-click the sound device and select Update driver > Search automatically for updated driver software.
      • If that does not help, uninstall the audio device again and restart so Windows reinstalls it automatically.
      • Warning: save open work before restarting.
    7. Restart after each driver change
      • Select Start > Power > Restart.
      • After restart, check whether the headset appears under Output before unplugging and replugging it.

    If the headset only works after replugging the output jack and then disconnects when selected in Sound settings, that strongly points to the audio device not being detected correctly or the installed driver being incompatible after the Windows 11 install. The most relevant next step is installing the latest manufacturer audio driver, then checking Device Manager for hidden or disabled audio devices.

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