Windows audio troubleshooter says “speaker/headphones is disconnected” but everything seems fine

Troubleshooting Windows Audio: Resolving “Speaker/Headphones is Disconnected” Errors

If you’re encountering persistent audio issues on your Windows PC, you might have come across the Windows Troubleshooter reporting that your speakers or headphones are disconnected, despite physically being connected and functioning correctly. This can be a frustrating experience, especially when everything seems in order but Windows refuses to recognize your audio devices.

Understanding the Issue

Users often report that when running the Windows built-in audio troubleshooter, they receive messages such as:

“Speaker, headset with microphone, or headphone is disconnected – Not fixed.”

This indicates that Windows is unable to detect or communicate with the audio hardware properly, even though the devices are physically connected and operational on other devices.

Common Causes

While driver issues are a frequent culprit, they are not always the root problem. In many cases, the problem may stem from:

Incorrect audio settings
Audio service misconfigurations
Hardware detection glitches
Conflicts with third-party software

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

Check Physical Connections
Ensure that your speakers or headphones are securely plugged in.
Try different audio ports if available.
Test your audio devices on other devices to confirm they are functioning properly.
Verify Sound Settings
Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select Open Sound settings.
Ensure the correct output device is selected.
Check that the device is not disabled.
Restart Windows Audio Services
Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
Locate Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder services.
Right-click each service, select Restart.
Restart your PC afterward to see if the issue resolves.
Update or Reinstall Audio Drivers
Even if drivers appear up to date and reinstalled, consider using the Device Manager to uninstall the audio driver entirely.
Restart your PC to force Windows to reinstall the default driver, or visit the manufacturer’s website for the latest driver version.
Use Windows Built-in Troubleshooter Again
Run the troubleshooter via Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Playing Audio.
Follow prompts and apply suggested fixes.
Reset Sound Settings
In Sound settings, click *