Can I use a USB outlet with an adapter on my HP Laptop Model 14-cf2121wm for audio-out (in place a t

[Pricey222]

Can I use a USB outlet with an adapter on my HP Laptop Model 14-cf2121wm for audio-out (in place a the regular audio-outport which is blocked by port extender?

[Max3Aj]

Hi @Pricey222, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you. 

Yes, you can use a USB-to-audio adapter (often called a USB sound card) to connect headphones or external speakers for audio output, bypassing the regular headphone/audio-out port. This is a common solution when the built-in audio port is blocked, as in your case with the port extender.
 

Here’s how you can do it:

USB Audio Adapter: Purchase a USB-to-3.5mm audio adapter (these are widely available). The adapter typically has a USB plug on one end and a 3.5mm headphone jack on the other.

Plug into USB Port: Insert the USB adapter into any available USB port on your HP laptop.

Windows 11 Setup: Once plugged in, Windows 11 should automatically detect the adapter, and you may see a notification that it is ready for use. If it doesn’t automatically switch the audio output, you can manually select it:

• Right-click the speaker icon in the system tray and select Open Sound Settings.
• Under Output, choose the newly connected USB device from the drop-down menu.

Test Audio: Plug your headphones or speakers into the 3.5mm jack on the USB adapter and test the sound to ensure it's working.
 

This setup should provide you with audio output through the USB adapter, effectively bypassing the traditional audio-out port.

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping! 

Max3Aj

HP Support