Windows detects all devices plugged into my 3.5mm jack as headphones

Question

Windows detects all devices plugged into my 3.5mm jack as headphones

Anonymous

Hi, Windows is detecting everything I plug into my 3.5mm jack as headphones and no longer asks me what device I plugged in (earbuds, headphones, headset). Windows also believes that there is a set of headphones plugged in at all times, this didn't use to matter before I got a headset to game with my friends, but now I can no longer get Windows to recognize the device as a headset and thus my pc doesn't recognize that there is a mic to even look for. I've done everything from trying to find it in the sound section of the control panel (it's not there), to using both windows troubleshooting for both microphones and speech (windows doesn't detect it), to going into my device manager and deleting and reinstalling all my drivers. I even went into my "Bluetooth and other devices setting" and completely removed the headphones that are being detected by Windows and deleted them as well for safe measure from my device manager as well. It just came back after a restart. If you must know the headset I'm trying to get running is a brand-new Razer Kraken, however, the constant detection of headphones that aren't there and the inability to have Windows recognize them as a headset instead of headphones makes me believe the problem is with Windows and not with Razer.

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4 answers

Answer 1

Hello Austin, I'm Greg, here to help you with this.

This can often be resolved if you force Windows to ask again what was plugged in to 3.5 mm jack in Windows 10. Here's how:

https://droidrant.com/how-do-i-get-a-pop-up-dev...

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YQIKliDMv0

Update the Sound controller driver from the PC or motherboard maker's Support Downloads webpage for your exact model. While there compare to make sure you also have the latest BIOS, Chipset, Display, Network and all other drivers.

If no newer then uninstall the Sound controller driver in Device Manager, restart PC to reinstall it.

Next go into Device Manager, right click Sound controller driver to Upgrade driver, then Automatically.

If nothing newer found in Windows Update then try again but this time choose Upgrade Driver > Browse > Let Me Pick to try all previous drivers queued there.

Then do everything in Step 2 for the headphone driver.
Thoroughly go over the sound in Windows 10 following this checklist: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

Feel free to ask back any questions. Based on the results you post back, I will have other suggestions if necessary.

____________________________________________

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Answer 2

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Answer 3

Austin -

Do you know for sure you have Realtek Sound? Check on the Support Downloads webpage for your exact model PC or motherboard. Is that the driver you're trying to install? Is there another sound driver there that might be the one for your build?

If you have Realtek Sound then the driver should come from the PC maker's downloads. But you can also expedite all WIndows Updates from Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for Updates . Install all including Optional, watch for prompt for Restart, then go back to check again until no more are offered.

Here are troubleshooting steps for installing Realtek Audio driver:

https://techcult.com/update-realtek-hd-audio-dr...

https://tencomputer.com/install-realtek-hd-audi...

https://techquack.com/troubleshooting-install-r...

Then here are steps for getting Realtek Audio manager installed:

https://www.debugguide.com/2021/07/download-rea...

https://beebom.com/how-fix-realtek-hd-audio-man...

https://www.minitool.com/news/fix-realtek-hd-au...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxuw3wPSUi4

Feel free to ask back any questions. Based on the results you post back, I will have other suggestions if necessary.

____________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Answer 4

I have tried to update everything to no avail. I also want to point out that a lot of fixes seem to be trying to take me to the Realtek HD audio manager, but the audio manager is not in my control panel and it doesn't seem to be located in my program files. After downloading the audio drivers for my ASUS TUF gaming FX705DT it seems like it tries to install Realtek drivers, the problem is they seem to not work and I have no sound up until I use Windows troubleshooting in which it'll switch to what I assume is Windows basic audio driver. To be sure my assumption is correct, Windows troubleshooter switches me from "Realtek High Definition Audio" to "High Definition Audio Device".

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Windows detects all devices plugged into my 3.5mm jack as headphones

4 answers