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Headphones Not Working in Windows 11: How to Fix

In this guide, we will list out various methods to fix the headphones not working issue in Windows 11. Nothing feels worse than connecting the headphones to your PC and the latter in turn refusing to work along the expected lines. For some, the issue is related to low volume, for others, they aren’t able to hear any audio from their headphone, thereby making it literally useless.

As far as the reasons for this issue is concerned, there could be quite a few ones. These include problems with the audio drivers, issues with the default audio settings, or it could just be a pairing issue. Well, no matter which reason ultimately turns out to be the culprit, this guide shall make you aware of various methods to fix the headphones not working issue in Windows 11. Follow along.

How to Fix Headphones not working in Windows 11

how to fix headphones not working in windows 11

Do keep in mind that there’s no universal fix as such. You will have to try out each of the below-mentioned workarounds and then check which one spells out success for you. So with that in mind, let’s get started.

FIX 1: Re-Pair Headphones

First and foremost, you should try disconnecting and reconnecting the headphone from the PC. This shall refresh its working environment and in turn, could rectify the underlying issue as well. So proceed ahead with the instructions:

  1. Use the Windows+I shortcut keys to open the Settings page.
  2. Then select Bluetooth and Devices from the left menu bar and go to the Devices section.
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  3. Now click on the overflow icon next to your headphone and select Remove Device. Then click Yes in the confirmation dialog box.
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  4. After that, click on Add Device and select Bluetooth from the list.
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  5. At this point, make sure that your headphones are turned on. If you have done that, then the headphone shall appear in the list of devices.
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  6. So select your device and it will be paired with your PC within a few seconds.
  7. Once done, verify if the headphones not working issue in Windows 11 has been fixed or not.

FIX 2: Re-Enable Headphones

If re-pairing didn’t spell out success, then your next course of action should be to disable and then re-enable the device’s connection with your PC. Here’s how:

  1. Right-click on the Start menu and select Device Manager from the menu that appears.
  2. Then expand the Audio inputs and outputs section.
  3. Now right-click on your headphones and select Disable Device.
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  4. After that, click on Yes in the confirmation dialog box that appears.
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  5. Once the device has been disabled, wait for a few seconds. Then again right-click on it and this time, select Enable device

Once it is up and running again, verify if the headphones not working issue on your Windows 11 PC has been fixed or not.

FIX 3: Set Headphone as Default Audio output

In some instances, giving priority to the headphone over your PC’s default speaker might work out in your favor. So let’s consider giving it a shot as well:

  1. Use the Windows+X shortcut keys and select Settings from the menu that appears.
  2. Then go to System from the left menu bar and select Sound.
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  3. Now select your headphones under the Output section.
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  4. Try playing a sound and check if it fixes the headphones not working issue in Windows 11.

FIX 4: Update Headphone Drivers

If you are using an old or outdated driver version, then it might conflict with the proper working of your headphones. Therefore, it is recommended to update these drivers to the latest version, which could be done as follows:

  1. Head over to the Start menu, search Device Manager, and open it.
  2. Then expand the Audio inputs and outputs section.
  3. Now right-click on your headphones, select Update Drivers.
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  4. Then choose Search automatically for updated drivers.
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  5. Windows will now search online for the latest drivers build, and subsequently, download and install them.
  6. Once that is done, restart your PC and then check if the update managed to fix the headphones not working issue in Windows 11.

FIX 5: Use Sound Troubleshooter

Windows comes with quite a few troubleshooter apps and one of them focuses specifically on sound-related issues. As of now, we will put it to the test to rectify the headphones-related issues. Follow along:

  1. To begin with, right-click on the Start Menu and select Settings.
  2. Then select System from the left menu and go to Troubleshoot.
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  3. After that, go to the Other Troubleshooter section.
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  4. Now click on Run next to Playing Audio.
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  5. This shall launch the troubleshooter app (after 4-5 seconds). Select your headphone from the list and click Next.
  6. It shall now diagnose the issues and then bring in the associated fixes as well.
  7. Select the required fix from the list and proceed with the on-screen instructions to implement it.
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  8. Once done, verify whether the headphones not working issue in Windows 11 stands fixed or not.

FIX 6: Re-Install Headphone Drivers

If none of the aforementioned methods managed to spell out success, then it could be the case of the device’s configuration and settings file getting corrupted. In those instances, the best course of action is to uninstall the headphone driver files from your PC and let Windows install the latest build. Here’s how it could be done:

  1. Open Device Manager and expand the Audio inputs and outputs section.
  2. Then right-click on your headphone and select Uninstall Device.
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  3. After that, click Uninstall in the confirmation dialog box that appears.
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  4. Once the drivers have been removed, restart your PC. When it boots up, it should automatically install the headphone drivers.
  5. However, in case that doesn’t happen, then launch Device Manager, right-click on your PC name situated at the top, and select Scan for hardware changes.
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  6. Windows will now search for the missing drivers (which in our case will be the headphone drivers) and download and install them.
  7. Once that is done, the underlying issue would have been rectified as well.

With this, we round off the guide on how you could fix the headphones not working issue on your Windows 11 PC. We have shared six different methods for the same. Do let us know in the comments which one worked out in your favor.


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