Headphones only play from one ear when plugged into laptop

[msc92758]

Recently, my headphone jack has stopped working correctly.  Whenever I insert headphones, no matter what pair of headphones, sound will only come out of the left headphone.  The right is completely silent.  I have used multiple different pairs of headphones, including a pair I bought brand new today and which I tested on a totally different device (my phone) to make sure that it really was the laptop and not the headphones.  It is.  For some reason, my headphone jack is just not working correctly.  I've tried redownloading drivers repeatedly, but it hasn't done anything.

Here's a quick run-down and potential FAQ to show you what I've done.

Have you tried testing other headphones to make sure it's really the laptop?

Yes.  Multiple pairs.  One pair I bought today and tested on a different device just to confirm there was a problem.

Have you tried testing this using bluetooth headphones?

No, I have not.  I don't own bluetooth headphones.  My guess is that they would work fine, because it seems like the problem is the headphone jackport itself.

Is sounding coming out of your speakers just fine?

Yes.  My speakers are completely unaffected by whatever is going on with the headphones.  All the speakers are of the same volume.

Have you tried unplugging them and plugging them back in again?

Yes.

Have you checked the volume balance in the volume mixer to make sure one headphone isn't accidentally set to silent?

Yes.  The volume mixer is completely equal, but only the left headphone plays any sound whatsoever.

Have you tried using the troubleshoot option to reinstall drivers or find other potential fixes?

Yes.  It didn't work.  Changing the drivers and doing troubleshoot changed the sound quality and volume coming out of the left ear, but it didn't make sound suddenly start coming into the right.  I've gone through the entire process: try installing a new driver, try using the general Microsoft Audio driver, try crying a little bit, and nothing works.

Do your headphones have a microphone built in?

Yes.  It's on the right side's wire.

Do you know if the microphone is affected as well?

As far as I can tell, the microphone is working just fine.  Earlier, I was on a Skype call, and I absent-mindedly twisted the headphone...connector thing inside of the actual headphone jack in the computer.  Somehow, that deactivated the microphone until I twisted the connector again and managed to get it reactivated, albeit with apparently quieter volume.  But no amount of twisting has reactivated the sound in the right headphone.

Honestly, it's really annoying to have to listen to everything out of only one ear, so if someone could please tell me exactly how to fix this, I'll be more than pleased.

[KrazyToad]

@msc92758

Welcome to HP Support Forums. A really great platform for posting all your questions and finding solutions.

I have gone through your Post and I see that you have an issue with your Headphone port and you have already performed all the required troubleshooting steps

I really appreciate all your efforts and expertise in troubleshooting this issue

This seems to be a Hardware issue with the Headphone jack

I have sent you a private message. Please check your private message icon in the upper right corner of your HP Forums profile. 👍

Next to your profile Name, you should see a little blue envelope

Thank you 😀

If the information I've provided was helpful, give us some reinforcement by clicking the "Solution Accepted" and this will also help other community members with similar issue.

[CedarDigital]

I'm having the exact same issue and I followed all the steps this guy did. I think it's the headphone jack. Please help!