Earbuds connected but no sound

Wireless earbuds on a PC almost always follow the Bluetooth tree (Stereo vs Hands-Free). Wired earbuds follow the jack path. Identify which you have, then apply the matching steps.

First cut Most PC earbuds are Bluetooth. Treat “buds connected but no sound” like the Bluetooth tree first (Stereo vs Hands-Free). True wired earbuds use the wired jack path.

Step 1 — Identify wired buds vs wireless buds

Wireless / case-charging buds — Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Connected → continue below and on Bluetooth.
3.5mm wired earbuds — Jump to wired; skip Bluetooth steps.
USB-C dongle earbuds on a desktop — Check Sound output list for a new USB audio device; set it as Default (default output).

Step 2 — Wireless buds: Stereo default and both buds

Wear both buds; many sets stay in call-only mode on one bud.
In Sound output, select the stereo headphones entry — not Hands-Free AG Audio.
Disable Spatial sound; check Volume Mixer for the browser/player.
Forget device → reset buds (OEM button/charge-case combo) → pair again.

Windows Sound output menu listing wireless earbuds stereo headphones option selected instead of Hands-Free — Pick the stereo earbuds endpoint for media on Windows.

Step 3 — Apps, exclusive mode, drivers

One app silent → Volume Mixer and the app’s own output picker.
Game or DAW grabbed the device → exclusive mode.
Still flat meter → Bluetooth/audio drivers and troubleshooters.

Full Bluetooth guide
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Windows 11 UI
→ Windows 11

After update
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FAQ

Earbuds connected but no sound on Windows 11

Select the stereo output, set Spatial Off, re-pair, then run Bluetooth + Playing Audio troubleshooters. See Windows 11 for Settings paths.

Only the left or right bud has sound

Reset the buds, re-pair, and confirm the stereo device (not Hands-Free). Hardware mono failure is possible if every PC behaves the same.

AirPods on Windows PC

Windows can connect AirPods over Bluetooth with the same Stereo vs Hands-Free caveat. No separate AirPods page — follow this earbuds + Bluetooth tree.

Earbuds connected but no sound

Step 1 — Identify wired buds vs wireless buds

Step 2 — Wireless buds: Stereo default and both buds

Step 3 — Apps, exclusive mode, drivers

FAQ

Official / primary sources

Symptom map