Youtube doesnt put audio through headphones, but does for other apps

Troubleshooting Audio Output Issues with Sony WH-CH720N Headphones When Using YouTube on Mobile Devices

If you’re experiencing inconsistent audio playback through your headphones, particularly when using specific applications like YouTube, you’re not alone. Many users have encountered situations where their headphones work seamlessly across most apps, such as Spotify, but unexpectedly revert to the device’s speaker when streaming content via YouTube.

Understanding the Issue

In some cases, headphones connected to a smartphone may behave unexpectedly, with audio bypassing the headphones for certain applications. For example, a user recently reported that their Sony WH-CH720N headphones function correctly with Spotify — audio plays through the headphones as intended. However, when opening YouTube, the sound defaults to the phone’s internal speaker rather than the headphones.

This discrepancy can be confusing and may lead to frustration, especially when the headphones are fully functional with other apps. Notably, the user tested the same headphones on another device, where the issue did not occur, suggesting a device-specific or application-specific problem rather than a hardware malfunction.

Possible Causes and Solutions

1. Application Permissions and Settings
   Many streaming apps like YouTube have their own audio output settings. Ensure that the app isn’t overriding device audio settings and check if any restrictions exist that might direct audio away from connected peripherals.

2. Bluetooth Connection and Device Settings

3. Reconnect the Headphones: Disconnect and then reconnect the Sony WH-CH720N headphones via Bluetooth.
4. Select the Correct Output Device: On Android or iOS, verify that the headphones are set as the default audio output device when connected.

5. Update Firmware and Software: Ensure both your device firmware and the headphones’ firmware are up to date. Manufacturers often release updates that resolve compatibility issues.

6. Operating System and App Updates

7. Keep your device’s operating system updated to the latest version.

8. Update the YouTube app and other relevant applications to the most recent versions, which may include bug fixes related to audio routing.

9. Resetting Audio Settings

10. Reset app preferences or clear app cache for YouTube.

11. Reset network settings or Bluetooth preferences if persistent issues occur.

12. Testing with Other Apps
    Confirm whether the problem is specific to YouTube or occurs across multiple applications. Streaming videos on other platforms (e.g., Netflix) can help narrow down the cause.

13. Hardware and Compatibility Check