Laptop - no sound from headphones

JohnB47

OK, Asus Zenbook, latest Win 10 software (corrected further down on this thread to Win 11). When playing a sound file, OK from speakers but when headphones plugged in, sound cuts off (file still playing) but no sound from headphones.

Same set of headphones as used in the past with this laptop and all OK then. Tried different (confirmed good) set of headphones - no joy. Headphone jack being pushed in firmly, with a click.

I've looked at sound settings and can't find anything wrong or anything that allows choosing of headphones as an output device - only speakers (Realtek audio). Device manager not showing any error indications.

Any ideas?

Neil_Jones

You may have to change the Output source in Settings after you plug them in as somtimes Windows doesn't always notice you've plugged something else in and will still use the existing speakers, though this would be unusual (but not unheard of) on a laptop:

Failing that look for a replacement driver from Asus for your model.

JohnB47

Thanks. I tried your advice on another Laptop (Toshiba win 10) and I can see and do what your screen suggests.

Tried that using the same headphones on the Asus. The Sound settings layout is slightly different and 'Choose Your Output Device' lists only the speakers. I can't get the system to select or see the headphones.

On the Toshiba, the dropdown automatically changes when I unplug and replug the headphones. On the Asus, only the volume slider position changes (odd that). The dropdown remains with only the Speakers available to select.

I've used two methods to update the Realtek Audio driver and still no luck.

Curious.

I'll continue searching for a solution on the web but thanks for the help.

JohnB47

Ok, I've searched here and there. Tried everything. Disabled drivers, reinstalled, turned off and on  etc. Gone for this sound setting, that one etc. Can't get the laptop to actually see the headphone jack in any dialogue. All it sees is 'Speakers'.

I did come across help that described right clicking on the sound icon and selecting 'Sound' and this worked on my Toshiba laptop but doing that doesn't bring up the same dialogue on the Asus. That (Toshiba) dialogue allowed you to select disabled or hidden sound stuff, which looked to be hopefull on the Asus. But I can't find the same capability on the Asus.

Any ideas?

Newcad

Do you have the Asus audio app installed? (It usually/often comes pre-installed from the factory).
Check in Windows settings Apps & Features for things called "Asus #####".

If so that could be overriding the Windows sound settings.

https://www.asus.com/uk/support/FAQ/1009973/

JohnB47

Thanks. I'll need to pause for a while 'cos the Asus is now being used and I can't play with it. I'll have a look at your suggestion asap.

Also, I've just realised that the Asus is actually win 11. Sorry about that.

Next, I've discovered how to view the 'Sounds' dialogue on the Asus - the one with tabs along the top, one of which is 'Playback'. When I look at that on my Toshiba laptop, I can see both Speakers and Headphones listed, even when the headphones aren't plugged in. The Headphones are listed as 'not plugged in'.

When I view that dialogue on the Asus, it lists only Speakers and when I right click on the space, it shows that both 'Show Disabled Devices' and  'Show Disconnected Devices' are ticked.

Lastly, when I look at Device Manager and expand 'Audio Inputs and Outputs' it shows only Speakers (High Definition Audio Device) and when I plug and unplug the headphones, the display doesn't change. When I do exactly that on my Toshiba laptop, the dialogue refreshes each time I plug and unplug the headphones, with 'Headphones' appearing when I plug them in and disappearing when I unplug them.

Thanks again. I'll report back asap.

km1500

it is always possible of course that you have a hardware fault

JohnB47

km1500 said:

it is always possible of course that you have a hardware fault

Yes I suppose. But even if so, why is the Asus Sounds/Playback dialogue not showing 'Not Plugged In'. It's as if the laptop has no idea that the headphone port exists.

km1500

if it was a hardware problem it wouldn't exist

Newcad

It could be the port itself which is faulty so although its cutting the speakers when a headphone jack is inserted it isn't fully connecting to the headphone jack, or maybe it's not soldered correctly to the motherboard, or.....

If the laptop is still under warranty then taking/sending it back is something to be considering.

cerebus

Don't know your laptop but peripherals are sometimes on their own daughterboard so the connection could of come loose or the board is faulty.

Also fluff could of gotten into the port too.

If the laptop can't see the headphones it does point to a hardware issue especially if you haven't made any changes to software on your laptop and it's worked in the past 

You haven't made any changes to your software have you?

Also check windows update for additional drivers too to ensure you have the correct updated driver installed