Share via

Headset Connected but no Audio

Jhon 5 Reputation points
2025-09-29T07:38:04.48+00:00

when i open my pc and turn on my headset (which is connected through a dongle), it is connecting the the buttons on the headset work (such as pause), but audio doesn't. i noticed that an easy fix to it is to switch in windows to another output device and then switch right back to the headset (also turning off and right back on windows spatial audio works). How can i fix it once and for all?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Devices and drivers

1 answer

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Adrian_A_ 8,880 Reputation points
    2025-09-29T09:28:00.7833333+00:00

    Thank you for bringing this up. I understand how frustrating it is. I will work with you to sort this out and get it fixed.

    Before we proceed, let me ask a few questions to better understand your setup:

    • What is the exact brand and model of your headset?
    • Are you connecting the dongle to a USB hub or directly to the PC?
    • Does this happen every time you boot your PC, or only after sleep/hibernate?
    • Are you running the latest Windows 11 updates and the latest drivers from the headset manufacturer?
    • Have you set your headset as the default audio device and default communications device in Windows sound settings?

    In the meantime, here are the steps you can try

    1. Right-click the speaker icon on the taskbar > Sound settings > Choose your headset under “Output” and also under “Sound control panel” set it as Default and Default Communications device.
    2. In Sound Control Panel (Press Windows + R and type mmsys.cpl > Playback tab, right-click and disable devices you don’t use, like monitors with audio. This helps Windows not switch incorrectly.
    3. Turn off Fast Startup

    Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do > Change settings > Uncheck “Turn on fast startup.”

    This often fixes audio devices not initializing properly at boot.

    1. Update or reinstall drivers

    Go to Device Manager > Sound, video, and game controllers. Right-click your headset > Uninstall device > Restart and let Windows reinstall.

    Or better, install the latest driver/software package from your headset manufacturer’s site.

    1. USB Power Management

    Device Manager > Universal Serial Bus controllers > Right-click each USB Root Hub > Properties > Power Management tab > Uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.”

    1. Reinstall Audio Components

    Press Win + R, type appwiz.cpl, and press Enter > uninstall any headset companion app, restart, and reinstall the latest version.

    You can also try to reinstall the Realtek or relevant audio driver from your PC manufacturer’s website.

    If after these steps the issue still happens, it may be related to how Windows initializes the dongle at startup. In that case, the best long-term fix is usually updating firmware on the headset or dongle, if the manufacturer provides one.

    REFERENCE: Fix sound or audio problems in Windows

    Note: Please use the "Add a comment" section below this message to reply, instead of using the Answer field, so that I’ll be notified of your response.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.