Headphone working interminnently

[Deadlydecapod]

 I'm having increasing issues with headphones on my Inspiron laptop, frequently losing all sound. If I shut down what I'm listening to and then re-open it it sometimes cures it. If I open up the  Volume Mixer, with the headphones selected as the output device, the blue volume bar just quivers at the lower end when they're not working. Laptop is about a year old and I've different headphones but with no different effect.

[Max3Aj]

@Deadlydecapod, Hello and welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for posting your question. I'm here to help you get things back on track.

I understand how frustrating it can be when your headphones stop working intermittently, especially when you're trying to enjoy audio on your laptop. Let's walk through some steps to help resolve this issue.

Check Audio Output Settings

• Right-click the sound icon in the taskbar and select "Open Sound settings."
• Under Output, make sure your headphones are selected as the default device.
• Click "Device properties" and ensure the volume is up and not muted.

Run the Windows Audio Troubleshooter

• Go to Settings > System > Sound.
• Scroll down and click "Troubleshoot" under the Output section.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to detect and fix audio issues.

Update Audio Drivers

• Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
• Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
• Right-click your audio device (e.g., Realtek, Intel, etc.) and select Update driver.
• Choose Search automatically for drivers.

Alternatively, you can download the latest drivers from your laptop manufacturer’s website (e.g., Dell Support for Inspiron laptops).

Disable Audio Enhancements

• Right-click the sound icon > Sounds > go to the Playback tab.
• Select your headphones > click Properties.
• Under the Enhancements tab, check "Disable all enhancements".
• Click Apply and OK.

Check for Conflicting Apps

Some apps may take exclusive control of the audio device:

• Go to Sound settings > Device properties > Additional device properties.
• Under the Advanced tab, uncheck "Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device."

Test with HP PC Hardware Diagnostics (if using HP laptop)

If you're using an HP laptop, you can run a sound test:

• Download HP PC Hardware Diagnostics - HP PC Hardware Diagnostics | HP® Support
• Run the Audio Test to check for hardware issues.

Additional Tips

• Try using your headphones on another device to rule out hardware issues.
• If the issue persists across multiple headphones, it’s likely a software or port-related issue.

I hope the information shared has been useful and resolves your concern.

Wishing you a smooth and hassle-free experience ahead!

If this solution helped, please click “Accepted Solution” so others can benefit too. Don’t forget to hit the “Yes” button if you found this helpful!

Warm regards,

Max3Aj

HP Support