Windows Update Does Not Detect Headset

Question

I plug in my headphones and they half work: I hear sound out of them. However, Windows does not display them in the devices list. 

The most recent update has made it impossible for me to use them as a mic because of this. Before the update, I have always plugged in my headphones and used them for put input and output sound with no issue. It would automatically switch from the computer's speakers and pick up the headset as an input device as well. This update is forcing me to manually switch from my computer's default mic to the headphones--but I cannot find them. Windows is not detecting them. 

I have been struggling to talk to a friend for an hour because of the new update. My head is pounding and I'm entirely unhappy.

Edit: this is not the only problem I have with the update, but it is the largest one.

Answer 1

I appreciate the effort here but none of these are solutions and/or I have already tried them.

I am not the only user with the problem--I see it 3 times in two pages. That means kids my age are reporting it while older users struggle to even pinpoint the problem or ask about it. Windows really messed up with this update. I shouldn't have to struggle to manually update drivers. 

Very unsatisfied. I want Microsoft to fix this problem for me and its other users.  Why are Windows updates always a headache?

Answer 2

Hi CompassKidd

My name is Andre Da Costa; an Independent Consultant, Windows Insider MVP and Windows & Devices for IT MVP. I'm here to help you with your problem.

Right click the Sound icon in the Taskbar

Click Sounds

Under Playback tab, right click on an empty space and select, Show disconnected devices and Show disabled devices

Select Headphone and click on Properties and make sure that the Headphone is enabled.

You may also check if the Headphone that you are using is set as default.

Additional steps you can try if the above does not work...

I suggest you to run the Audio troubleshooter and check if it helps.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/f...

If the issue persists, then try to uninstall and re-install the audio driver.

Press Windows  Logo Key+X. Click on Device Manager.

In the list of hardware categories, look for the device that you want to update, and then right-click on it to Uninstall.

Follow onscreen instructions to uninstall it.

To re-install, either you can restart the system or install the driver from the manufacturerís website (recommended as they will have updated drivers).

For reference:

Try all the steps provided in the link below and check if it helps.

Fix sound problems:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/f...

Option 3: Update audio driver

Windows Key+X (Or right click on Start)

Click Device Manager

Expand Sound, video and game controllers

Right click on your audio adpater

Click Update Driver Software

Click Browse my computer for driver software

Click Let my pick from a list of device drivers on my computer

Choose the driver

Click Next to update

If this does not work, select Search automatically for the updated driver in place of Browse my computer for driver software

Restart your computer

Option 4: Update driver from manufacturer's website

Go to the website of the audio driver's manufacturer or computer's manufacturer

See if some driver is released for your model and OS

If yes, download that

In previous option, you click Update Driver Software, in place of this, click Uninstall

Install the downloaded driver

Restart your computer

Option 5 - Rollback the Driver

Windows Key+X

Click Device Manager

Expand Sound, video and game controllers

Right click on your audio adpater

Click Properties

Go to Driver tab

If there is rollback option, click it

Answer 3

Hi Kidd. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 10 year Windows MVP, and Guardian Moderator here to help you.

I'll give you everything possible to try for headset problems so at least something will work. If you need help performing any steps I am standing by here to help:

First try the steps here: https://www.windowscentral.com/setting-your-hea...

https://www.maketecheasier.com/fix-headphones-n...

Go to Settings > Devices > Autoplay to look for the device and change the default behavior in it's Dropdown Menu.

Right click Volume icon in System Tray at right end of task bar, Open Sounds Settings, in dropdown menus at top make sure Headphones are selected and Connected for both Playback and Recording Default Devices.

If not again right click Volume icon in System Tray to choose Troubleshoot sound problems.

Also try the Hardware Troubleshooter at Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.

Go to the Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start button, choose Sound controller device, on Driver tab choose Roll back or Uninstall, restart PC using keyboard to Ctrl Alt Del, on blue screen tab to Power Icon in bottom right, press Enter, arrow down to Restart, press Enter to restart to reinstall the driver.

Do the same for the headset device and/or it's microphone.

Update the Sound driver from the PC or Device maker's Support downloads web page. While there also check that the Chipset, BIOS, Display, USB, Network and all other drivers are the most current.

Sometimes it helps to unpair or disconnect all other Bluetooth devices from the PC in Bluetooth settings, then try again to connect the headset.

If this was caused by Windows Update(s) then you can check which were installed at Settings>Update & Security>Windows Update under Installed Updates, then uninstall them from the link there, and hide with the Hide Updates tool downloaded from here: http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/2/2/f2...

You can also use System Restore to get before the problem began, then check for Updates with the Hide Update tool and hide them:

http://home.bt.com/tech-gadgets/computing/how-t...

If this was caused by a Version Update then for 10 days you can roll it back in Settings>Update & Security>Recovery and then hide it until it matures using the Hide Updates Tool which is explained more here:

https://www.howtogeek.com/223864/how-to-uninsta....

To chck over the integrity of your install go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

If nothing else helps you can run a Repair Install by installing the Media Creation Tool and choosing from it to Upgrade Now. This reinstalls Windows in about an hour while saving your files, apps and most settings, solves many problems while also bringing it up to the latest version which you need anyway and by the most stable method.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m...

If you want to report this to Microsoft use the Feedback Hub app in Start Menu where developers are tasked to process consumer feedback. They will not even see it here. This is a tech forums staffed mostly by volunteers trying to help others with your problems.

If you want to post back a Share link from your Feedback here others who see this thread can vote it up and add to it. If you are an Insider I can also vote it up with my MVP badge and track the issue for you.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. If you'll wait to rate whether my post helped you, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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