Headphones stuck as "Default Communication Device"

I haven't had any problems at all with Windows 7 until yesterday, when my headphones became stuck as the "Default Communication Device" and I can only use the Speakers and Dual Headphones to listen to my computer. I can still use my headphones when they're plugged in, but there's a noticeable loss of sound quality and I bought a rather expensive pair of headphones for a reason, you know. Up until yesterday I could switch from my headphones to my speakers as the default audio device no problem, but as of yesterday my headphones are absolutely stuck as "Default Communication Device" which is kind of ridiculous, because I don't use my computer to talk to anybody.

I have an HP DV-7 1279WM Laptop.

Hasufel said:

I haven't had any problems at all with Windows 7 until yesterday, when my headphones became stuck as the "Default Communication Device" and I can only use the Speakers and Dual Headphones to listen to my computer. I can still use my headphones when they're plugged in, but there's a noticeable loss of sound quality and I bought a rather expensive pair of headphones for a reason, you know. Up until yesterday I could switch from my headphones to my speakers as the default audio device no problem, but as of yesterday my headphones are absolutely stuck as "Default Communication Device" which is kind of ridiculous, because I don't use my computer to talk to anybody.

I have an HP DV-7 1279WM Laptop.

What happens if you unplug both speakers & headphones then reboot leaving both unplugged. After the machine boots plug in only the speakers and see if you can change the default device.

One other possibility... Macs have been having major problems with auto-sensing jacks getting stuck. Perhaps this is something similar. Try rapidly plugging/unplugging both the speaker and headphones a few times, see if it cleans the jack's contacts.

Ap

The problem with that is that I can't easily unplug the speakers, it's a laptop. I'm just talking about the onboard speakers, I don't have any others because I mainly use my headphones and until now there was nothing wrong with that.

Sorry, I didn't see the laptop config in your first post, looks like a great machine!
Are you saying both the speakers and headphones are audible? I don't understand where the loss of quality comes in. No other thoughts on your problem, my original comment concerned the auto sensing headphone jack possibly not disconnecting all the way, that's why I suggested plugging/unplugging the jack a few times.

It might help if you posted your specs and which audio chip is on the mainboard.

Ap

I have exactly the same problem with my laptop! It's HP Compaq 615 with Windows 7 installed.
At the moment, the problem is getting really serious, because I need to use headphones instead of built-in speakers VERY VERY VERY often and the only thing that they work with, is Skype. I have tried the same things but no help at all!

I've made a screenshot of the problem that just will not change:
http://i53.tinypic.com/2vb0vmf.jpg

Could someone please help me? I'm getting desperate here.