sound output to headphones

On your taskbar right click the icon that looks like a speaker and then select playback devices.
Click your headphones and select set as default.
See if that works.

Hi,

I'm Diego Rios, an Independent Advisor willing to help other Microsoft customers.


I suggest you to follow the troubleshooting methods listed below:

1, Try to run the Apps troubleshooter to fix issues that may prevent app from working properly in the link below:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/402749...

Please try the following procedures:

1. Check your speaker settings:
Right-click the sound icon at the bottom right corner of your desktop and click Playback devices.
In the Playback tab, ensure there’s a green tick on Speakers. This indicates that your speakers are the default playback device.
If your Speakers are NOT already set as the default, this is doubtless your problem. To fix, just click them, click Set Default, then click OK and test whether you have sound.
If your Speakers are set as the default playback device, and you’re still not hearing any sound, you should to do this >> click Speakers then Properties >> Go to the Advanced tab, and in the Default Format section, select a different sample rate and bit depth, then click Test. Repeat this process until you find a format that works, then click OK.

2, If the step above didn't work, I suggest to Uninstall your audio driver.
On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and X (at the same time) to invoke the quick-access menu, then Click Device Manager.
In Device Manager, expand Sound, video and game controllers,
right-click on your sound card, and click Uninstall.
Restart your computer and check to see if the problem is resolved.

3. If these steps didn't fix the issue, I suggest to Up Date the driver from the manufacture web site.

Also, You can try the following procedures in the links below:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/402699...

Please let me know if this helped and works.

Best Regards,

Diego R.

What is the exact make and model?

Open Start, type: system information
Hit Enter
Click System summary
Look in the right pane

Copy the system sku info into reply here.

See example: https://imgur.com/qzektpA

First, run the Playing audio troubleshoot - open Start > Settings > Update & security > Troubleshoot
Scroll down, select Playing audio
Click Run the troubleshooter

When complete, restart your computer then check if audio is working again.

Press Windows key + X
Click Device Manager
Expand Sound, video and game controllers

Right click your audio adapter
Click Properties
Click the Driver tab

Is there an option rollback?
If so, click it.

Also, check to make sure the audio driver is fully updated. This is often the problem when you upgrade to a new version of Windows 10. Sometimes reinstalling the latest available driver from the manufacturers website helps.

Open Start, type: change sound card
Hit Enter
Select the Playback
Right click your heaphone
Click Set as Default Device if it isn't already

Select your headphone
Click Properties
Click the Levels tab
Use the slider to adjust level

Other options:

1. Play a youtube video with the soundcard speaker jack unplugged and let it play through the laptop's inbuilt speakers.
2. While it is playing, plug in the audio jack and see if it starts playing.

Which version of Windows 10 is currently installed? See how to verify:

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

Which version and edition Windows did you originally upgrade from or was installed prior to your current version:

Windows 10 - 1703, 1607, 1511, 1507 (build 10240)

Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Windows 8.0 Core, Windows 8.1 Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 8.0 Pro, Windows 8.1 Pro

If its Windows 10 1803:

There seems to be some early adopter issues at this time with Windows 10 1803, if you can, I recommend you downgrade to your previous version until the Spring Creators Update matures with future cumulative updates.

Open Start > Settings > Update & security > Recovery > under Go back to my previous version of Windows 10, click Get started.
or
Press Control + Alt + Delete
Click Sign out

At the Sign In screen, hold down the shift key on your keyboard while clicking the Power button on the screen
Continue to hold down the shift key while clicking Restart
Continue to hold down the shift key until the Advanced Recovery Options menu appears

Click Troubleshoot

Click Advanced options

Click Go back to the previous version of Windows

Windows Update might attempt to upgrade to Windows 10 1803 again. See instructions how to block it:
https://www.groovypost.com/howto/block-windows-...

laptop (dell i3-3543 running W10home) doesn't recognize my headphones

Hi,

I'm Diego Rios, an Independent Advisor willing to help other Microsoft customers.


I suggest you to follow the troubleshooting methods listed below:

1, Try to run the Apps troubleshooter to fix issues that may prevent app from working properly in the link below:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/402749...

Please try the following procedures:

1. Check your speaker settings:
Right-click the sound icon at the bottom right corner of your desktop and click Playback devices.
In the Playback tab, ensure there’s a green tick on Speakers. This indicates that your speakers are the default playback device.
If your Speakers are NOT already set as the default, this is doubtless your problem. To fix, just click them, click Set Default, then click OK and test whether you have sound.
If your Speakers are set as the default playback device, and you’re still not hearing any sound, you should to do this >> click Speakers then Properties >> Go to the Advanced tab, and in the Default Format section, select a different sample rate and bit depth, then click Test. Repeat this process until you find a format that works, then click OK.

2, If the step above didn't work, I suggest to Uninstall your audio driver.
On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and X (at the same time) to invoke the quick-access menu, then Click Device Manager.
In Device Manager, expand Sound, video and game controllers,
right-click on your sound card, and click Uninstall.
Restart your computer and check to see if the problem is resolved.

3. If these steps didn't fix the issue, I suggest to Up Date the driver from the manufacture web site.

Also, You can try the following procedures in the links below:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/402699...

Please let me know if this helped and works.

Best Regards,

Diego R.

not so far, still trying this and a few others. headphones do not appear on device list

problem solved but only after a visit to local Microsoft store. Original sound driver was not correct. 

installed updated DELL driver and system now OK

thanks for help anyway

your suggestion of installing new driver from DELL was successful, thanks

new driver update from  DELL solved the problem