Windows 7: Sound does not want to play through headphones

billytale13 · 21 Oct 2012

Hello everyone, I have a very, annoying problem. Sound does not want to play through my headphones. at all. I can listen to music through my headphones fine on ubuntu (dual-boot) so it is not the audio card, the headphones or the jack.

I have tried re-installing the audio driver multiple times, as well as messing around with the settings in the sound controls, but nothing works. I have used both the dell.com audio drivers as well as the windows update audio drivers and they don't make a difference.

Any help is appreciated, as this is becoming very annoying

fireberd · 21 Oct 2012

With a Dell, the Dell sound drivers must be used. Non-Dell drivers will either not work or not work correctly.

Reinstall the listed chipset drivers and then the Dell sound driver (install the "Dell" sound driver, not the IDT listed as its an older driver - the "Dell" driver is an IDT driver too). Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United States]

If this does not fix it, the Dell Laptop audio or general hardware forum would be the best place to post, as there are those there familiar with your Dell.
Laptop - Dell Community

I used to do a lot of user support on the Dell forums but it was primarily Desktops.

billytale13 · 21 Oct 2012

For some reason the sound magically fixed itself as I re-booted up my computer, but thanks a lot for the quick reply! I'll keep that in mind if my sound ever messes up again.

nick0126 · 12 Jan 2013

my sound works fine, but when I try to connect my usb logitech headphones, the speaker icon shows error: No Audio Output Device is Installed. This error disappears when I remove the USB connection. Any suggestions on where to begin with this?

braddersz · 12 Jan 2013

Hey Nick. Whats the full make and model of the headphones. and what OS are you supporting?.

nick0126 · 12 Jan 2013

headphones say CLEAR CHAT - Logitech, USB

my OS is an upgraded windows 7, on an older DEll inspiron E 1405

braddersz · 12 Jan 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by nick0126

headphones say CLEAR CHAT - Logitech, USB

my OS is an upgraded windows 7, on an older DEll inspiron E 1405

Have you tried a different USB sockett?. Perhaps plug them into the back of the machine rather then the front.

It sounds to me like, Windows is not recognising the headset, So no driver is installing. Hence why you get the error.

I can't find the exact headset you have, going off Logitec Clear chat USB.

braddersz · 12 Jan 2013

Couple of things id like you to try:.

Plug the headphones in, Then head to: Control Panel - Sounds, Under playback does it show the headphones at all?.

If not, Check Device manager: Click Start, then in the search box type devmgmt.msc

Look through the list, paticually under "Sound, Video and game controllers"
Can you see a audio device with an Explanation mark at the start of it ?.

If not, just have a quick check under the other catagories. Let me know if you can find it.

nick0126 · 12 Jan 2013

when I check my DEVICES, under SOUND is shows both the notebooks speakers and a second, separate, and correct, entry for the Logitec USB headphones. if I CLICK on the logitech entry, the PROPERTIES tab suggests all is well with the device...

Windows 7: Sound does not want to play through headphones

Sound does not want to play through headphones problems?