HP EliteBook 8440p - No sound from speakers - "headphones detected" when nothing plugged in

[CLeVeR22]

Model: HP EliteBook 8440p

OS: Windows 7 Professional 32-bit (SP1)

No Recent Changes - assuming a hardware issue with headphone jack (see below for details)

No Error Message

Hello Support & Community,

I'm having a very odd issue with my HP EliteBook 8440p. I just had a fresh Windows 7 image provided to me by our help desk and the sound from my speakers was working fine until I plugged in and plugged out my headphones. The sound plays fine through the headphone jack, but when I disconnect the headphones the computer still thinks headphones are still plugged in.

Is there a physical sensor in the headphone jack that could be broken? I've tried all other recommendations of updating the BIOS and audio drivers and that doesn't seem to fix it. 

In the IDT Audio Control panel the program indicates that "Headphones Connected" when in reality there are not any headphones connected. 

This is really annoying and I can't reinstall Windows because our company utilizes a Full Disk Encryption software (Checkpoint) and I'm not sure I can justify a new laptop build for this reason.

Please see the screenshot below for what I think is the root of the issue. Also if anyone else has encountered this and has a solution please let me know. Any help is much appreciated.

[Cloud_Strider]

If the system indicates a set of headphones is connected, then that would cause the regular speakers not to work as it should be sending the audio out of the headphone jack.  I suspect the headphone pin detector is either broken or stuck in the "on" position.  You can try examining the headphone port to see if the pin is visible.  If it is in a disengaged position, you should be able to see the pin just barely visible in the jack.  If it's in an engaged position, it may be difficult to see.  

Some have reported registry edits to bypass jack detection and others have stated inserting and removing headphones multiple times eventually got the pin to disengage.  However, these are not true fixes and would typically require a motherboard replacement to properly correct the issue.  With that being said, you could try the steps listed here (untested to verify if it works) if you have access to regedit or know someone in IT that does.  Most businesses typically disable regedit for various reasons.  I would also highly recommend creating a restore point or a backup of the registry saved to an external storage device in the event something goes in a different direction.  

[CLeVeR22]

Great reply and potential solution. Unfortunately since this is corporate laptop the "regedit" program is indeed restricted even though I have admin rights on my laptop. I'll see if I can funnel this suggestion through our IT help desk and see if they are willing to give it a try. 

Appreciate the response and I'll keep you posted and if it works out.

Thanks!

[A-Wajid]

Hi,

In addition to this, i just want to add that i resolved this issue by putting some WD40 solution into the headphone jack / port and properly clean it, may be some dirt, rust or moisture was causing the problem.

it works for me. 🙂