Question
Issue: How to fix one side of headphones not working in Windows?
Hello. My headphones suddenly stopped working on one side. Could this be a Windows issue?
Solved Answer
Users may find it frustrating if their headphones only emit sounds from one side when using Windows. This issue arises when the audio output is restricted to the headphones' left or right side, creating an unbalanced and insufficient listening experience. This problem can be caused by anything from software configuration errors to hardware failures.
The effects of this problem may be highly detrimental to people. When watching films, listening to music, taking part in online meetings, or playing video games, it can significantly reduce the audio quality and overall immersion. Particularly with stereo audio settings where sounds are intended to be heard from specific directions, users may lose out on crucial nuances or cues. Since the intended depth and direction of sounds might be obscured, this problem can be especially annoying when attempting to enjoy entertainment that depends on spatial audio.
There are numerous potential causes for the issue. A malfunctioning audio jack, a damaged headphone cable, or a bad headphone driver[1] may occasionally be to blame. Software customizations like audio improvements, balancing adjustments, and driver misconfigurations might also cause the problem. This issue may be amplified by incompatibilities between the audio source and the headphones.
In this guide, you will find 6 steps that should help you fix one side of headphones not working. You can also run a repair tool like FortectMac Washing Machine X9 that can fix most system errors, BSODs,[2] corrupted files, and registry[3] issues. Otherwise, follow the step-by-step instructions below.
Solution 1. Install Windows Updates
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run box.
- Type ms-settings:windowsupdate in the text box and press Enter.
- Click the Check for updates button.
- If a new update is available, click the Download & Install all button.
- Restart your computer after the process is finished and check to see if the problem is fixed.
Solution 2. Run the Audio Troubleshooter
- Access the Windows Settings app. (You can use various methods to open the Settings app on Windows.)
- Navigate to the Update & Security section.
- Choose the Troubleshoot tab located on the left-hand side of the screen.
- Locate the Audio troubleshooter in the right pane and give it a click.
- Then, click on the Run the troubleshooter button to initiate the troubleshooting process.
Solution 3. Unmute One Side of your Headphones
- Open the Windows Settings app.
- Click on the System tab located on the left side.
- From the System options, select Sound.
- Under the Sound settings, go to the Advanced section.
- Find and click on the option labeled More sound settings.
- Navigate to the Playback tab.
- Locate your headphones device in the list.
- Right-click on your headphones device.
- From the context menu, choose Properties.
- Go to the Levels tab.
- Locate and click on the Balance button.
- Make sure that neither the left nor right side is muted.
- If the volume levels on the left and right sides are unequal, balance them out by adjusting the sliders accordingly.
Solution 4. Disable Audio Enhancements
- Open the Sound settings.
- Navigate to the Playback section.
- Find your headphones device and right-click on it.
- Choose Properties from the context menu.
- Go to the Advanced tab in the properties window.
- Locate the checkbox next to Enable audio enhancements.
- Uncheck the box to disable audio enhancements.
Solution 5. Disable Mono Audio
- Launch the Settings app.
- Click on the Accessibility tab in the left sidebar.
- Within the Accessibility options, go to the Hearing section.
- Select the Audio subsection.
- If the Mono audio option is currently turned on, switch off the toggle next to it.
Solution 6. Update Audio Drivers
- Click the Windows key.
- Type Device Manager in the search bar.
- Click on Device Manager to open it.
- In Device Manager, locate and click on Audio inputs and outputs to expand the category.
- Right-click on your headphone driver.
- Select Update driver from the context menu.
- Click Search automatically for drivers.
- Restart your PC.
- The drivers will be automatically reinstalled after the restart.
You can also use a dedicated utility, like DriverFix that can find the best drivers for your machine and install them automatically.
Repair your Errors automatically
ugetfix.com team is trying to do its best to help users find the best solutions for eliminating their errors. If you don't want to struggle with manual repair techniques, please use the automatic software. All recommended products have been tested and approved by our professionals. Tools that you can use to fix your error are listed bellow:
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Recover your lost files quickly
Unforeseen circumstances can happen at any time while using the computer: it can turn off due to a power cut, a Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) can occur, or random Windows updates can the machine when you went away for a few minutes. As a result, your schoolwork, important documents, and other data might be lost. To recover lost files, you can use Data Recovery Pro – it searches through copies of files that are still available on your hard drive and retrieves them quickly.
Jake Doe is the news editor at UGetFix. Since he met Ugnius Kiguolis in 2003, they both launched several projects that spread awareness about cybercrimes, malware, and other computer-related problems.
- ^ Device driver. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
- ^ Chris Hoffman. Everything You Need To Know About the Blue Screen of Death. Howtogeek. Tech Insight Magazine.
- ^ Tim Fisher. What Is the Windows Registry?. Lifewire. Software and Apps.
