USB Headphone Jack Volume Issue

Hello there,

The headphone jack on my laptop broke some time ago, so I had to buy a USB replacement jack. Under Windows XP this worked brilliantly, but since I've upgraded to Windows 7 (Home Premium, 32bit) I've been experiencing problems: namely, I have no control over the volume. Whether the volume is all the way up or just above zero, the sound is blaringly loud through the headphones. (I can still Mute the volume.) I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling the jack via the Device Manager, but I haven't had any success. Help?

cxg said:

Hello there,

The headphone jack on my laptop broke some time ago, so I had to buy a USB replacement jack. Under Windows XP this worked brilliantly, but since I've upgraded to Windows 7 (Home Premium, 32bit) I've been experiencing problems: namely, I have no control over the volume. Whether the volume is all the way up or just above zero, the sound is blaringly loud through the headphones. (I can still Mute the volume.) I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling the jack via the Device Manager, but I haven't had any success. Help?

Thanks,
CxG​

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USB headsets' volumes are controlled by Windows via the drivers for said headset. IF the drivers are not installed or improperly installed, you may have a tough time doing anything with it.

Some headsets also have volume controls in-line on the cord. Is this the case for you?

What headset do you have?

Also check your device manager under Sound, Video, and Game Controllers. If your headset is actually listed there like it should be, it should not have any ! or ? symbols on it as well.

Thanks for your prompt response.

I am not using headphones with an in-line volume control, though this has been jokingly suggested to me as a solution. I have a pretty standard pair of JVC earbuds. In any other device they function normally with regards to volume.

The Device Manager reports that the USB Headphone Jack (Generic USB Audio) is installed and working properly. A bad driver may be the issue. I've searched for Generic USB Audio drivers, but my search turned up a lot of nothing. (Mostly sites reporting that this is built-in to Windows 7.)

Oddly, now that I've plugged the USB Headphone Jack in to test it again, it seems to be responding properly from the Volume Control. (The little "ding!" noise it makes gets quieter and louder.) I swear it hadn't been functioning properly before. But my media applications (Windows Media Player/Center, foobar2000) are still treating the volume as before. (Max volume or no volume.) I suppose I may've just solved my own problem, since there appears to be some settings I need to adjust for these programs to use the USB device. (Though I didn't ever have to do that in WinXP.) In any case, on the odd chance a driver update may still correct this issue, or if my original problem should reappear, might you be able to point me to a download for a Generic USB Audio driver?

Since every USB headset is different, you typically need a driver for it.

I also did not know that earbuds came in USB form because of their size; the voltage is over-kill and too much for the tiny drivers. Now that I read your original post again, I am wondering: Are the earbuds of the 3.5mm jack type? Are you using a USB to 3.5mm converter of sorts? If so, you need to find the drivers for that device, as it is technically a sound card as seen by Windows. What is the make/model of that device?

Sorry, my wording must have confused you.

I am using a standard pair of earbuds with a standard 3.5mm headphone plug (not USB). I've plugged in a 3.5mm Headphone Jack to my USB port. So yes, it's like a converter. Anyway, it appears to be pretty generic. I ordered it on Amazon, which lists it as "Syba SD-CM-UAUD USB Stereo Audio Adapter, C-Media Chipset, RoHS."

Oh. Them.

Yeah.

Hmm.

I'm tracking down the driver for you and I'll keep you posted. If I can get the driver for you and it still doesn't work, here's alternative. This is what I got for my laptop (since it did not have a line-in jack built in).

Newegg.com - StarTech ICUSBAUDIOB 2 Channels USB Interface Black Audio Adapter

The above product worked well for me. I always get a bit worried when the manufacturer doesn't let you download the driver from the web site. :|