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Windows 11 Not Recognizing External Speakers

Anonymous
2022-09-13T23:41:28+00:00

I'm on Windows 11 Home, Version 21H2 -- I have installed all updates.

Computer is: Dell Inspirion 7706 -- 11th Gen Intel Core

I have two JBL Charge 3 speakers that were working with my laptop until... maybe a month ago. (I don't use them on the computer that frequently.)

I tried to watch a movie using my speakers and Windows will not recognize any speakers except its internal Realtek speakers.

Searching through various articles hasn't helped much:

My volume is on.

I have checked for updates and installed them.

I have disabled and re-enabled my JBL speakers.

I have uninstalled and re-installed the JBL speakers.

I have restarted the computer.

I have tried the volume in multiple programs.

My PC connects to my JBL speakers via Bluetooth. It just doesn't recognize them as a speaker option.

Several weeks ago, my Adobe Acrobat 2020 required an update that -- bizarrely -- messed with several other settings on my PC. It seems unlikely that affected my speaker situation, but that is the only update I've been aware of that caused any issues.

If anyone has any suggestions or ideas, I would be grateful!

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-09-14T00:54:54+00:00

    Hi C. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, here to help you.

    Try these fixes for Windows 11 Not Recognizing External Speakers:

    https://www.howto-connect.com/fix-external-spea...

    https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-...

    https://www.reddit.com/r/WindowsHelp/comments/x...

    https://windows101tricks.com/no-audio-after-win...

    I'll give you all possible solutions for Windows 11 Sound problems so please try any you've already tried again in order. If you have any problems performing any steps I'll be standing by here to help you.

    1. See if you can System Restore to a point before the problem began following this guide: https://itechhacks.com/system-restore-windows-11/

    System Restore is your first line of defense and can take you back to a point before a problem began. If it doesn't help then you can undo it. Read about it first in the tutorial above and then try restoring to just before this started.

    If the problem repeats or System Restore doesn't work then check which Windows Updates were installed at Settings > Update & Security > Windows Updates > Update History, uninstall them there or System Restore again, then immediately check for and block the Updates with the Hide Updates tool explained here: https://www.droidwin.com/how-to-stop-only-a-spe...

    1. Update the sound driver from the PC or device maker's Support Downloads webpage for your exact model, Serial Number or Dell Service Tag. Go into Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start button, compare to make sure you also have the latest BIOS, Chipset, Display, Network and all other drivers.
    2. Next try these Windows 11 sound checklists:

    https://www.yourwindowsguide.com/2021/09/troubl...

    https://thegeekpage.com/sound-or-audio-problems...  https://windowsreport.com/windows-11-no-sound/ ((Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro, PC Repair Tool and Reimage ads)

    https://www.lifewire.com/fix-no-sound-on-window...

    https://www.makeuseof.com/fix-no-audio-windows-11/

    1. Right click Volume icon in System Tray, choose Sound Settings, from the Output and Input devices dropdown menus, choose then one(s) affected to see if that helps. If not use the Troubleshoot button nearby.
    2. Run the Playing Sound troubleshooter at Start button > Settings> System > Troubleshoot > Additional Troubleshooters.
    3. Try rolling back the sound drivers in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start button. Choose Sound controller and other audio devices, then Driver tab, then Roll back if available.

    If no newer sound drivers then uninstall the one presently installed in Device Manager, reached by right clicking the Start Button. Restart PC to reinstall.

    Try other and older drivers for your model Sound controller, too. For example, try the next oldest driver in the model's online Support Downloads list. To try all previous drivers installed on your system, in Device Manager choose Sound controller's Driver tab, then Update Driver, then Browse, then Let Me Pick. Report back results for each step so I know what else to suggest.

    Feel free to ask back any questions. Based on the results you post back I may 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.

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