Before you begin
Decide whether the problem is playback, recording or both. Note the connection type: USB, Bluetooth, HDMI/DisplayPort or analogue 3.5 mm. A monitor can receive audio over its display cable, but it only plays sound itself if it has speakers or a suitable audio output.
Begin at a low volume and use a familiar test clip. Check physical mute buttons, inline controls and speaker power. If the issue affects only one app, keep that distinction; the system output and the app’s selected device can differ. Do not reset BIOS as the first response to a muted speaker.
Work through the checks
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Check the connection and device type
Plug headphones into an output and a microphone into an input, using the labels rather than relying only on colour. A headset with one four-contact TRRS plug may need a compatible headset splitter when the PC has separate headphone and microphone sockets. A simple headphone-sharing splitter is a different product. Some cases provide a combined socket, so check the manual before buying an adapter.
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Select the intended output
In Windows 11, open Settings → System → Sound and choose the actual speakers or headphones. Check the output volume and Volume mixer for the affected app. Connecting a monitor can change the available audio devices. Play a Windows test sound or another known clip. If one source works and another does not, investigate the app’s device selection, mute state and content before reinstalling drivers.
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Select and test the microphone
In Sound settings, choose the intended input and use its microphone test. Check the headset’s mute switch and boom position. Then review Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone and allow access for the app type you need. Also select the correct input inside voice-chat or recording software. A working Windows input meter is a useful comparison when another app cannot hear you.
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Compare ports and equipment
Try a known-working headset or speakers, then test the suspect device elsewhere if possible. Compare front and rear analogue ports without changing several other settings. A USB headset follows a different audio path from the motherboard’s analogue output, so one working does not prove the other is healthy. Stop using a visibly damaged jack or frayed cable.
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Investigate crackling or low level
Reduce excessive volume or microphone boost and compare with audio enhancements turned off where available. Move analogue audio leads away from power bricks and check for a loose connection. Do not remove electrical earth connections to cure hum. High-impedance headphones or passive speakers may need suitable amplification; a line output is not a universal power amplifier.
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Use a targeted driver repair
Run Windows’ sound troubleshooter and check Device Manager for the relevant audio device. Install the correct motherboard or device manufacturer’s driver if needed, or consider a supported rollback when an update caused the fault. HDMI audio usually belongs to the graphics driver. Avoid deleting every hidden audio device at once; keep the working comparison and change only the relevant part of the audio path.
What the results tell you
Headphones work but the microphone does not
Check the combined/separate jack arrangement, physical mute, selected input and app permissions.
Sound plays through the monitor instead
Select the desired output in Windows and the app. You do not need to disable all other devices permanently.
Noise occurs only on one analogue connection
Compare the cable, port and device. Keep the test at safe volume and report which combination reproduces it.
Common questions
Does a stereo splitter provide true surround sound?
No. Duplicating a stereo output does not create independent surround channels. Use the connections and hardware the speaker system requires.
Why does Bluetooth sound change when I use its microphone?
The device and connection may switch audio modes when two-way voice is used. Check the headset’s supported features; a dedicated USB or wired option may behave differently.
Do USB speakers always need a separate audio cable?
Some use USB for both sound and power; others use USB only for power. Follow the specific speaker instructions.
When to contact ElitePCS
Tell us the device model, connection type, selected input/output and whether Windows’ own tests work. Include the front-versus-rear or second-device comparison if you completed one.
Contact ElitePCS support. Include your order number, the exact symptom and the checks you have completed. Keep passwords, licence keys and recovery keys out of screenshots.
Technical references: Microsoft sound troubleshooting · Microsoft microphone checks · Microsoft Bluetooth pairing. Reviewed 27 September 2026.