SOLVED: Headphones Not Showing in Sound Settings

Headphones that don’t appear in Windows 10 sound settings can be frustrating, especially when you need them for calls, gaming, or media playback. This issue can result from driver problems, incorrect settings, or hardware conflicts. We will walk you through the causes and solutions to get your headphones working again.

Reasons Your Headphones Showing in Sound Settings

Before jumping into fixes, it’s essential to understand why your headphones might not appear in the sound settings:

• Disabled or hidden device – Windows may not display your headphones in the list.
• Outdated or corrupted drivers – Faulty drivers can prevent Windows from recognizing audio devices.
• Incorrect default playback device – Windows might use another device instead of your headphones.
• Hardware issues – Faulty cables or ports can cause connection problems.
• Windows audio service issues – Sound devices may not be detected if the service isn’t running correctly.

How to Fix Headphones Not Showing in Sound Settings

1. Show Disabled and Disconnected Devices

Windows may hide disabled or disconnected devices by default. Here’s how to check:

1. Right-click the Speaker icon in the taskbar and select Sounds.
2. Go to the Playback tab.
3. Right-click anywhere in the list and check Show Disabled and Disconnected Devices.
4. If your headphones appear, right-click and choose Enable.

2. Set Headphones as the Default Device

Even if Windows detects your headphones, it may not set them as the default device. To fix this:

1. Open Sound Settings by right-clicking the Speaker icon and selecting Sounds.
2. Under the Playback tab, locate your headphones.
3. Right-click them and choose Set as Default Device.
4. Click Apply and OK.

3. Update or Reinstall Audio Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers can prevent Windows from recognizing your headphones.

Update Drivers Manually:

1. Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Sound, video, and game controllers.
3. Right-click your audio device and select Update driver.
4. Choose Search automatically for drivers and follow the instructions.

Reinstall Drivers:

1. Right-click Start > Device Manager.
2. Expand Sound, video, and game controllers.
3. Right-click your audio device and select Uninstall device.
4. Restart your PC to let Windows reinstall the driver automatically.

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4. Restart Windows Audio Services

If Windows audio services are malfunctioning, your headphones may not show up.

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
2. Locate Windows Audio in the list.
3. Right-click and choose Restart.
4. Double-click Windows Audio, set the Startup type to Automatic, and click OK.

5. Run the Windows Audio Troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in troubleshooter that can detect and fix audio issues.

1. Right-click the Speaker icon and select Troubleshoot sound problems.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions and let Windows diagnose the issue.
3. If it finds problems, apply the recommended fix.

6. Check Hardware and Connections

If none of the software fixes work, the issue might be hardware-related:

• Ensure your headphones are correctly plugged into the correct audio jack.
• Test your headphones on another device to confirm they are working.
• If using Bluetooth headphones, ensure they are paired and connected correctly.

Conclusion

When your headphones don’t appear in Windows 10 sound settings, the issue can stem from hidden devices, incorrect settings, driver problems, or hardware malfunctions. By following these steps, you can quickly diagnose and resolve the problem. If you want an automated fix, Fortect can help by repairing corrupted drivers and optimizing system performance to ensure a seamless audio experience.