Share via

Headset not connecting to Audio

Skerness, Andy 20 Reputation points
2026-02-05T17:30:29.1133333+00:00

I briefly unplugged my headset during a zoom and when I plugged it back in the Audio was no longer playing through the headphones. How do I get them reconnected when they do not appear as an option in the drop down audio menu?

Windows for home | Other | Devices and drivers
0 comments No comments
{count} votes

Answer accepted by question author
  1. Lucus-V 5,700 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-02-12T22:09:28.6966667+00:00

    Hi Skerness, Andy,
    Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum. I'm happy to help.

    Please follow this instruction to set default device again:

    • Press the combination Windows key + R > insert mmsys.cpl > OK.
    • Set your default device on Playback and Recording tab.

    If Zoom has problem recognizing new plugged device, you may have to close Zoom and open it again to set communication device.

    I hope that above information is helpful to you.


    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

    0 comments No comments

2 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. David-M 107K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-02-05T18:04:05.3933333+00:00

    Hi. I'm David, and I'm happy to help you.


    Please clarify the following:

    Does your headset have 2 jack connectors P2 (two black or white lines), a single jack connector P3 (three black or white lines), a USB connector, or is it connected via Bluetooth?


    Also, share a screenshot of your system information.

    • Press "Windows + R", type msinfo32 and press Enter.

    Maximize the window and use the shortcut "Windows + Shift + S" to use the screenshot tool.


    I await your reply.

    0 comments No comments

  2. Q&A Assist
    2026-02-05T17:30:37.5733333+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    If your headset is not playing audio after being unplugged and replugged, here are some steps you can follow to troubleshoot the issue:

    1. Check Connections: Ensure that your audio headset is properly plugged into the audio jack on the headset. If your headset has a physical volume control, make sure it is not muted or turned down.
    2. Default Playback Device: Windows may switch audio playback to the default device when the headset is unplugged. To check and change this:
      • Right-click on the sound icon in the system tray and select "Playback devices".
      • Look for your headset in the list. If it is not visible, right-click and select "Show Disabled Devices" to see if it is listed there.
    3. Settings Adjustment: Go to Settings > Mixed reality > Audio and speech to ensure that the audio settings are correctly configured for your headset.
    4. Update Drivers: Sometimes, audio issues can be resolved by updating the drivers for your headset. Check the manufacturer's website for the latest drivers.
    5. Reboot the System: Restart your computer to see if it recognizes the headset correctly after rebooting.
    6. Test on Another Device: If possible, connect your headset to another computer to determine if the issue is with the headset or your PC.

    If none of these steps work, there may be a hardware issue with the headset itself.

    0 comments No 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.