Headsets that use USB connectors are extremely convenient to use on a computer. You don’t have to distinguish the connector or port for the microphone and the speaker. Additionally, the audio sounds better with a USB headset.
However, there are some scenarios where the USB headset stops working altogether. It usually happens due to issues with the USB ports or drivers on your system. Improper audio configuration is also equally liable to cause the issue.
In this article, we go through all the possible causes and provide their possible solutions.
Table of Contents
Causes for USB Headset Not Working
Here are the potential reasons for USB headset not working on your system:
- Damaged device or USB port.
- Improper default sound device setting.
- Lack of permissions for microphone.
- Headset Driver issues.
- USB selective suspend option blocking the port even after inserting the headset’s USB connector.
How to Fix USB Headset Not Working?
Before moving on to the solutions below, try waiting for some time, especially for USB-C headsets. Many Macbook Pro users have discovered that they have to wait about 2-4 minutes before the headset starts working.
If the headset doesn’t start working automatically after some time, move on to the possible solutions below.
Check Device and Ports
The first thing you should do if your USB headsets aren’t working properly is to check the device and the USB ports. You can perform the following preliminary checks to determine which component has issues:
- Some headsets contain a USB connector for the LED lighting and separate audio connectors. If you have such a device, try entering the audio connector to the port and check if it starts working.
- Make sure that the headset is not muted or has 0 volume. Some headsets also have a separate physical control for volume. So, check it as well.
- Use some other USB ports to connect the headset. The USB ports directly connected to the motherboard receive more power so it’s better to try those.
- Directly connect the headset to the PC and not a hub or dock.
- Unplug the headset from the USB port and restart your PC. You can also power cycle the PC to clear the charge in USB ports.
- Connect the headset to another PC without using any peripherals.
If you determined that there are some issues with the headset, you need to take it to a hardware expert and see if they can repair it. If they can’t, you should buy a new one. You can also replace your USB port if it is not working properly.
If these are not the reasons for your problem, you need to move on to successive solutions to troubleshoot software issues within your system.
Run Troubleshooters
Windows comes with dedicated troubleshooters that scan and fix minor issues with your system components. The Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter does just that for your peripherals, which also includes USB ports and devices.
So you should try running this feature whenever your headsets don’t work. Here’s how you can do so:
- Open Run by pressing Win + R.
- Enter
msdt -id DeviceDiagnosticto open the troubleshooter. - Select Next and follow the onscreen instructions.
You can also try running the audio troubleshooters to troubleshoot potential issues with the audio rather than the USB. To do so,
- Open Run and enter
ms-settings:troubleshoot. - Select Other troubleshooters or Additional troubleshooters.
- Click Run next to Playing Audio or select Playing Audio and click Run this troubleshooter.
Check Sound Settings
Your computer contains some settings that specify the current output and input sound device. If the USB headset is not set as the current or default sound device, it won’t work. To check and change this setting,
- Open Run and enter
ms-settings:soundto open the Sound Settings. - Select Choose where to play sound to expand it.
- Make sure to check the radio button next to the USB headset and not other devices.
- Also, if the microphone on your headset is not working, you can scroll down to Input and select this device. Then, make sure that the Volume is not low or disabled.
- Now, scroll down and go to Volume Mixer to ensure that the apps have proper volume.
Check Sound Privacy Settings
If the headset’s microphone is not working, you should also check the Privacy Settings and make sure that the apps have access to this device. Here’s how you can do so:
- Open Run.
- Enter
ms-settings:privacy-microphoneto open the Microphone Privacy Settings. - Make sure the switches next to Microphone access as well as the necessary apps are On.
Disable Exclusive Control by Apps
Another thing you can do is disable the option that allows apps to take exclusive control of the headset. It is possible that some application that is not playing audio is taking control of the device and preventing it from producing any sound.
Here’s how you can disable the option:
- Open Run and enter
mmsys.cplto open the Sound Properties. - On the Playback tab, double-click on your headset’s speakers and go to the Advanced tab.
- Uncheck Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device and click OK.
- Go to the Recordings tab and execute the same steps for the headset’s microphone.
Update or Reinstall Drivers
Outdated or problematic drivers are some of the main reasons for this issue, especially if the device is old and you have a recent system version. You need to update the driver to the latest version to resolve such issues. To do so,
- Open Run and enter
devmgmt.mscto open the Device Manager. - Expand Audio inputs and outputs.
- Right-click on the headset device and select Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
- Do so for both Microphone and Speakers.
- Now, expand Sound, video and game controllers and update the driver for the headset.
- Then, expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.
- Update the drivers for all USB controllers.
If you already have the latest audio drivers for the headset, you need to reinstall them. To do so,
- Open the Device Manager.
- Expand Audio inputs and outputs.
- Right-click on the headset device and select Uninstall device > Uninstall.
- Do so for both Microphone and Speakers.
- Perform the same steps for the headset device inside Sound, video and game controllers.
- Then, download the latest drivers from the official website and install them.
If other USB devices also show some issues, you can try reinstalling the USB controller drivers, especially for hubs.
Disable Conflicting Devices
Some incompatible audio or sound drivers may conflict with the headset drivers causing it to not work. You can try disabling the unnecessary audio devices to fix the conflict. Many users have been able to resolve this issue by disabling the Intel Smart Sound Technology for USB Audio driver.
To uninstall the conflicting device:
- Open the Device Manager.
- Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
- Right-click on the device and select Disable device.
- Confirm with Yes.
Restart your PC and check if the headset starts working.
Disable USB Selective Suspend
Your system includes an option to selectively suspend a USB port when it’s in idle condition. However, sometimes the USB doesn’t wake up when inserting an audio USB device as the device does not provide the wake-up signal to the USB itself.
You can disable USB selective suspend to prevent such issues. To do so,
- Open Run and enter
powercfg.cplto open Power options. - Choose Change plan settings for your selected power plan.
- Click on Change advanced power settings.
- Expand USB settings > USB selective suspend setting.
- Set the options inside to Disabled.
- Then, open the Device Manager.
- Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.
- Double-click on a Hub driver to open its properties.
- Go to its Power Management tab and uncheck the options.
- Click OK.
FAQs
Why is my headset USB not working? ›
If you are experiencing issues using your USB headset, try the following: Unplug the headset from the PC's USB port and reboot the computer. Do not just restart - perform a complete system shutdown and then turn back on, as this will help clear the memory in the USB ports.
How do I get my USB headset to work? ›- Plug the USB plug into the USB port. Make sure the USB plug is completely plugged into the USB port.
- Double check the headset mute button. ...
- Open Sound Settings. ...
- Set the USB headset as the output device. ...
- Set the USB headset as the input device.
Headset not working.
Try a different USB port on your computer. In your application and operating system, check the volume and microphone settings. In your application and operating system, check the volume and microphone settings. Restart your application.
Right click on the headset & click Uninstall. Once uninstalled unplug the USB, reboot your PC (completely turn off and back on again) and then plug the USB back into the same USB port. You should see a notification that new hardware is being installed. Test the headset again.
Do USB headsets need drivers? ›Most of the time, all you have to do is plug a headset in and it'll work. Depending on how involved the headset's features are, your computer might need to install some drivers, but that should be an automatic process.
Why is my headset output not working? ›Dust, lint and dirt are often the culprits, so check the connection between the jack and the headphones, and clean the jack if necessary, using a cotton swab damped with some rubbing alcohol, or use a can of compressed air. Plug the headphones back in and see if they work.
How do I test my USB headset microphone? ›- Make sure your microphone is connected to your PC.
- Select Start > Settings > System > Sound.
- In Sound settings, go to Input and under Test your microphone, look for the blue bar that rises and falls as you speak into your microphone.
3.5mm audio port
The single 3.5mm connector connects to the 3.5mm audio jack on the PC. A double 3.5mm audio connector has a pink and a green connector. You connect the pink 3.5mm connector to the pink port and the green connector to the green port. The gaming headset is now connected to the PC.
Set the slider switch to the Bluetooth icon. Slide the track switch to "Next" and hold, and press and hold the "Volume up" button at the same time, until the link LED indicator blinks rapidly.
How do I setup my Logitech USB headset? ›Plug the Logitech headset's USB cable into your computer's USB port and wait a few seconds for the device to automatically install.
How do I reset my Logitech headset? ›
- Connect your G933 headset to USB power.
- Now on the mic side, remove the side plate carefully so the internet structure is bare and visible to you.
- Now take a small pin and locate the hardware reset button. Press and hold for around 2 seconds.
- Now repeat the two second press twice.
Select and hold (or right-click) the listing for your sound card or audio device, such as headphones or speakers, select Update driver, then select Search automatically for drivers. Follow the instructions to complete the update.
How do I reinstall audio drivers for my headset? ›- Click on the Start menu and type in Device Manager. ...
- Search for Sound, video and game controllers. ...
- Double-click on the audio entry and switch over to the Driver tab. ...
- Select Search automatically for updated driver software.
Connect your headset to your PC's USB 3.0 port
Identify the USB 3.0 port on your computer and plug in the USB cable. USB 3.0 ports have SS (Super Speed) written next to them. They're often blue, but not always. If you don't have enough open USB ports on your PC, you can use an AC-powered external USB 3.0 hub.
Technically, a sound card is an optional component but a necessary one if you want to hear sound from your PC on wired headphones or speakers (just like an external DAC), or plug in a mic with an analog output.
What driver is responsible for USB? ›USB function class extension (UFX)
UFX is responsible for implementing USB function logic that is common to all USB function controllers and handling and/or dispatching requests from USB function class drivers. In particular, UFX handles the process of enumerating the device and processing standard control transfers.
It could be caused by a corrupt or outdated driver, faulty USB ports (if your headset uses USB), an error in the connection (in case of Bluetooth, for example), or an issue with the headphones themselves.
How do I reset my headset? ›- Delete the headset from your cell phone's list of paired devices.
- Once deleted, power your phone completely off, then power it back on. This resets the Bluetooth stack in the Bluetooth software on the phone.
- Re-pair the headset with your phone.
Try to unplug and re-plug the headphones to your audio device to ensure it's properly connected and there are no loose connections. If your audio device has more than one headphone jack available, make sure the headphones are NOT connected to an audio-in or microphone jack.
How do I change my USB microphone settings? ›Right click the sound icon on desktop > Click Open Sound settings. Under Input, You should see your input device in the dropdown menu. Select your USB Microphone from the dropdown.
How do I reset my USB microphone? ›
- Open Control Panel.
- Go to Hardware & sound.
- Click Sounds.
- Go to the Recording tab.
- Right-click the mic and select Set as default device.
- Restart the system and check if the mic is detected.
- Are Your Headphones Broken?
- You hear rattling noises and/or distorted sound.
- You don't hear any sound on your Bluetooth headphones.
- There's a delay when you use your Bluetooth headphones.
- You hear static in wireless headphones.
- Only one side or ear is working.
- Your headphone jack or plug is bent.
Try the following solutions: If your headset has a Mute button, make sure it isn't active. Make sure that your microphone or headset is connected correctly to your computer. Make sure that your microphone or headset is the system default recording device.
Is USB or audio jack better for headset? ›For rich wideband audio, and to hear more highs and lows, USB connection is typically preferred. USB provides a lifelike audio experience, compared with 3.5mm headsets. Another great feature found in USB headsets: in-line call controllers, for ease of call management.
What is a USB sound card for headset? ›What is a USB sound card? A USB sound card adds audio input and output ports to your computer via USB, while also taking over sound processing duties from your computer's integrated sound card.
How do I get my computer to recognize my headset? ›- Right-click on the Start button. ...
- Click Hardware and Sound. ...
- Look for the Playback tab, and then under it, right-click the window and select Show Disabled Devices.
- Headphones are listed there, so right-click on your headphone deice and select Enable.
- Click Set as Default.
In the search box on the taskbar, type control panel, and then select Control Panel. Click Hardware and Sound. Under the Sound tab, click Manage Audio Devices. On the Playback tab, click your headset, and then click the Set Default button.
Where do I find headphone settings? ›You'll find these audio settings in a similar place on Android. On Android 4.4 KitKat and newer, go to Settings and on the Device tab, tap Accessibility. Under the Hearing header, tap Sound balance to adjust the left/right volume balance. Below that setting is a box you can tap to check to enable Mono audio.
Where is the Logitech reset button? ›Press and hold the Menu button (located above the Channel Up button) and the Off button together for 20 seconds. The remote screen will turn off, then turn on again displaying the image of a remote and a circular arrow. After a few seconds your remote will be restored to factory defaults and you may sync again.
How do I reset my headset dongle? ›To reset, power off the headset and plug the wireless adapter into a USB port on a PC or laptop. Once the LED on the adapter starts to blink, insert a small paper-clip into the hole on the wireless adapter. Press and hold the paper-clip for approximately 10-12 seconds or until the LED stops blinking and starts again.
How do I resync my Logitech headset? ›
Re-establish pairing between the headset and your Bluetooth device. Initiate pairing for the headset by pressing and holding for five seconds the Volume + and Next track/ Fast forward buttons on the headset. Next, initiate paring for your Bluetooth device.
How do I install Logitech headset drivers? ›If you're unsure about whether your computer has the necessary drivers installed, you can run “Device Manager” and then look for the headset category. Clicking on the category will show you all detected devices, and right clicking on your headset will give the option of downloading the drivers for it.
What does factory resetting your headset do? ›Performing a remote factory reset will erase any information on the device and revert the headset to its default factory settings. This will also remove the device from your Device Fleet in Device Manager.
How do I reset my gaming headset? ›- Make sure your headset is currently unplugged.
- Make sure your headset is powered off.
- Hold the Mute button on the headset down for about 15 seconds.
- Hold down the power button until the headset turns on.
- Test your headset and see if the issue is resolved.
Make a Test Call
Typically you do this by selecting a dummy contact labeled Test Call or something similar from your contacts list, and then initiate a call. When you speak into the microphone, you should be able to hear your voice played back over the headphones.
- Connect the USB cable: ...
- Open the Device Manager window on your computer, then click the Sound, video and game controllers.
- Turn on the unit: ...
- Right-click the listed driver and select Update Driver.
- Click the Search automatically for drivers.
- Click the Search for updated drivers on Windows Update.
- You can press Windows + X, and select Device Manager to open Device Manager in Windows 10.
- Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers category in Device Manager window. ...
- Right-click the USB audio device and select Update driver.
Turtle Beach USB Headset
- Disconnect the Headset, restart your PC, then plug it back in. - Try plugging the headset's USB plug into another Windows PC/laptop and see if the headset is recognized there. If it is recognized on another computer, there may be an issue with your primary computer.
To connect a USB headset, you plug the USB-A connector of the gaming headset into the USB-A port of the Xbox console. The gaming headset will automatically connect to your Xbox if you do this.
Can you use a headset through USB? ›Computer headsets, or earphones, generally feature one of two types of connector: mini plug or USB. Either connection works well for a headset, but one is analog and one is digital. Bluetooth enables headsets to connect without the use of a cable.
What is the USB port on my headset for? ›
USB-Headset. The USB headset is a combination of a microphone and headphone, which is connected via a USB connector to a computer or other device. Common areas of application are online gaming or phoning and video telephony via a computer.
Is there a reset button on Turtle Beach headset? ›Reset your headset
When your Turtle Beach headset doesn't respond to anything and shows a red light, you need to do a 'hard reset'. Press and hold the 'Connect' and 'Mode' buttons for 20 seconds. That way, you'll restore the factory settings on the headset.
- Connect the Mini Transmitter into a free USB port on your console. The LED will double-blink blue as it searches for the headset.
- Press and hold the Power button on the headset to power it on. ...
- Within 10 seconds, the LEDs on the transmitter and headset will turn solid, indicating a successful pairing.
To power off and hard reset the headset, press and hold its MUTE button for 15 seconds. You may hear a sound as the headset turns off completely and the remaining power in its circuits discharges. For all headsets: Once you're done, connect the transmitter's USB power cable, then power on the headset.
How do I get my Xbox to recognize my headset? ›Hold down the headset's power button and the mute button simultaneously (both buttons are located on the left earcup), and then quickly plug the USB-C cable into your console, PC, or outlet. If the hard reset is successful, the headset should power off. Turn the headset back on.
Why won't my Xbox recognize my USB? ›Solution 3: Other things to try
Connect the device to a different USB port on the console. Power cycle your console: Press the Xbox button on the front of the console for about 10 seconds. Turn on the console again, and then see if it detects the external drive.
Clean the plug on the headset cable with a clean cloth, and then reconnect the headset to the controller. Test the headset by connecting it to a different controller. If you're using a wireless controller, replace the AA batteries or recharge the rechargeable battery.
How do I know if my USB headset is working? ›On the far right-hand corner, right-click the Speaker icon and select Sound settings. Under the Output section, select your headset. On the next window, under Output settings, click Test to test if the headset is working.
Why won t my headset mic work on PC? ›Try the following solutions: If your headset has a Mute button, make sure it isn't active. Make sure that your microphone or headset is connected correctly to your computer. Make sure that your microphone or headset is the system default recording device.
Do USB headsets use Bluetooth? ›Generally speaking, wireless USB headsets use Bluetooth connectivity, however, this headset runs on DECT 6.0 (similar to a cordless phone.) Because of this you get an astonishing range of up to 300ft. This headset has a great noise canceling mic and Wideband audio.
What is the difference between a USB headset and a regular headset? ›
The 3.5mm uses the device's sound processing system, such as a computer's sound card, for analog sound. USB headsets bypass your computer's sound card and use their own sound processing system, for better sound quality than 3.5mm headsets. USB headsets benefit from digital-to-analog processing outside of the computer.