Very often I met a situation when there are jacks for connecting headphones and a microphone on the front panel of the system unit, but there is no sound there and they do not work. It seems that the manufacturers of system units deliberately forget to connect these connectors, forcing the user to climb into the system unit on their own. Although, it would seem that they have something to lose - since they made these headphone jacks to increase the competitiveness of their product, then you can connect them! But this is not always the case. That is, it happens that these connectors for headphone on the front connected to the motherboard, and the reason is in the settings.
Naturally, after googling and finding different solutions to the problem, I made the following conclusions:
The most common causes of no sound from the front headphones are:
However, there is also a universal solution to this problem - buy a headphone extension cable with a 3.5mm jack, connect it to the back instead of using the front panel, and plug in speakers and headphones in turn. Put the output of this extension cable somewhere behind the monitor so that you can reach it with your hand at any time.
Also, these days, bluetooth headsets already exist and are inexpensive, which allow you to completely abandon wires when using headphones. I bought myself a Sony-Ericsson MW-600 and I'm very satisfied.
In the comments you can ask a question or describe your case, this way you will help other users.
Peripheral devices such as mouse, keyboard, webcam, printer are usually connected to the computer via USB ports. In this case, it often happens that one or more ports stop working. That is, when a USB flash drive is connected to a computer, for example, it is not recognized, the keyboard or mouse may freeze, and the printer may not respond and print pages.
There are several likely reasons why some or all of the USB ports on your computer are not working. Let's try to understand this issue and find out what should be done to restore the normal functioning of the computer.
Checking BIOS settings
The first thing to pay attention to is the BIOS settings of the computer. To enter BIOS, you need a functional keyboard. If the keyboard is connected to the computer via USB and it does not work, then you need to connect a keyboard with a PS / 2 connector. Otherwise, you simply cannot do anything.
So, we go into the BIOS, for which, when starting the computer, you must press the enter key, usually DEL. There may be another key that is displayed on the screen and is indicated in the manual for the motherboard. Once in the BIOS, find the Integrated Peripherals section or the Advanced section. Here you will find the subsection “Onboard Devices Configuration”. It is in it that the parameters responsible for the operation of USB controllers are located: USB Function or USB 2.0 Controller. These parameters must be enabled (Enabled). And if one of them is disabled (Disabled), then hover over it and press Enter, thereby enabling it. To prevent your changes from being reset, you must save them by pressing F10, and confirm the save by pressing Y or Enter.
After restarting the computer, check if the USB ports are working. And if not, then you should look for the reason elsewhere.
USB ports on the front of the computer do not work
As a special case, only the front panel USB may not work for you. In such a situation, you need to check if the necessary connectors on the motherboard are connected and if the wires are not damaged. To do this, open the side cover of the system unit and pay attention to the connector at the bottom of the motherboard. On the board itself there is an inscription USB1 or USB2, as well as on the block itself. The wires from the block go to the front panel, and if they are disconnected or broken in one place, then you have found the cause of the malfunction. Damaged wires should be connected or replaced. It will not be superfluous to check the contact in the connector on the motherboard. Also pay attention to the board located on the front panel. Perhaps there is a short circuit, by the way, such a short circuit can be triggered by accumulated dust. Therefore, be sure to clean the system unit from dust.
Problems with the device itself or the cable
The next source of problems with USB can be the cable with which, for example, the printer is connected. This malfunction is easy to identify and fix. We connect the USB flash drive to the tested connector. If it works, then we try to connect other known working equipment, for example, a USB hub, using a suspicious cable. If it also refuses to work, then the reason is definitely in the cable and it should be replaced.
Power outages
There are situations when there is simply not enough power for all devices. For example, connecting an external hard drive that uses two USB connectors at once may turn off the printer or keyboard. In this case, the power of the power supply unit is not enough to provide energy to all consumers. In this case, the problem may not appear immediately, but some time after turning on the computer. There are several ways out of the situation. If you have a low-power power supply unit, for example, 300 W, then it would be logical to change it to a more powerful one, 450-600 W. You can also use an active USB hub (with external power). It will allow not only to increase the number of connected USB devices, but also to power them from a separate power supply.
Another reason affecting USB performance is a dead CMOS battery. But at the same time, every time you turn on the computer, you will observe the lost system time and date. After replacing the battery, the problem goes away. But this is not common, so you should check for other possible sources of malfunction.
Missing or incorrect installation of USB drivers
The root causes of software malfunctions in Windows 7/10 can be identified using Device Manager. If you notice that one or more devices do not work specifically, regardless of the port used, then this may indicate that the problem is in the device itself. Open Control Panel and go to Device Manager. All connected devices will be displayed there. If the list contains items that have a yellow exclamation mark or an Unknown device instead of a name, then the problem is in this device itself. There may be several options for problems.
Often the USB inputs stop working after reinstalling Windows 7/10. The reason is the incorrect installation of the drivers or the required drivers may not be found at all. We'll have to carry out the selection and installation manually.
Often, troubleshooting requires a simple driver update. So, if automatic Windows update is disabled, and the system itself was installed a long time ago, then the relevance of the software is lost, system errors may appear. At the same time, the device starts to work incorrectly, or even stops functioning altogether. To update (reinstall) the USB controller drivers, you can use the motherboard driver CD / DVD or download the necessary drivers from the motherboard manufacturer's website.
You can also turn off the power saving feature for all ports using Device Manager. Expand the list of USB devices in use hidden in the sections "USB controllers", "Mouse and other pointing devices", "Keyboards". Double-click on the desired device to open the properties window. Now switch to the Power Management tab and uncheck the Allow this device to be turned off to save power box. Thus, the device will always be active under all circumstances.
If some equipment is not recognized, then there may be both a problem with the drivers already known to us, and a hardware problem consisting in a lack of contact, damaged cable or a controller malfunction. Moreover, there is often a situation when, when a faulty device is connected, the rest stop working normally. The keyboard starts to freeze, as does the mouse, and the printer stops typing. The problem is similar to a lack of power, that is, the consumption of all power goes to a faulty device, in which there may be an ordinary short circuit or other malfunction.
USB ports not working due to damaged controller
If none of the above steps helped to restore the functionality of the USB ports, then you should check the USB controller of the motherboard, which may have failed. In this case, high-quality repairs and diagnostics should be entrusted to the specialists of the service center. As a way out of the problem, try installing an expansion card, the so-called USB PC controller, installed in the PCI slot on the motherboard. Such a solution is noticeably cheaper than repairing a USB motherboard controller, and when using an additional USB hub, the problem with a lack of ports will not be relevant at all.
As you can see, finding and fixing problems with USB ports is quite a hassle, and all because there can be a lot of reasons. Sequential search and elimination of deliberately incorrect paths will allow you to identify and fix the problem.
USB connectors rarely break and are very picky to use. But when they fail, then it gives a lot of trouble. In this article, we present to your attention the simplest solutions to this unpleasant question.
First, restart your computer. Sometimes there are situations when drivers stop working due to some kind of system error. So restarting the system can correct this situation. If there is no way to restart the PC, for example, due to the robots of some important program (say, installing an application), you can try to restart the drivers. To do this, follow the path "Start - Control Panel - Task Manager" or go to "Start", click "Run" and enter "devmgmt.msc" in the field. In the new window, select "Action", and then "Update hardware configuration". If a USB controller appears in the list, then the problem is resolved. You can also try uninstalling and reinstalling the controller. Let's say right away that this method works very rarely, but in some cases it really helps. Go to Device Manager again. Find the USB connectors section and right-click to remove them. After restarting the computer, when the OS boots, the new drivers will be installed by themselves. In some cases, the malfunction will be caused by damage to the drivers themselves, and therefore they need to be updated. But this process is quite complicated, and it is better not to do anything ourselves, but to turn to a specialist.
The reasons for the problems due to which the USB ports on a laptop do not work can be completely different - from a hardware breakdown to "flown" motherboard drivers or the controllers themselves.
However, usually the user can cope with most of the problems on his own, without contacting specialists - if he knows how to do it.
If there are many USB ports on the laptop (for example, 3 or 4), the problem may not be so critical, and its solution can be postponed.
But if there are only 2 connectors or the constant need to use connected devices - flash drives, and even printers - the issue should be resolved as soon as possible.
Moreover, some methods will take no more than a few minutes.
First steps for troubleshooting
A message that appears on the screen about the termination of the USB ports or the lack of response from the laptop to the drive installed in the corresponding slot may indicate.
Sometimes you can fix them with a simple reboot - there is a small chance that the fix will happen automatically.
Increase the likelihood of a positive reboot effect, which, indeed, sometimes helps, can be done in an unusual way:
1 Completely disconnect the laptop from the mains (if it was, for example, charging);
2 Remove the battery and leave the laptop in this state for about 5 minutes;
3 Insert the battery back and turn on the device.
If no messages about non-working ports appear on the screen, but the flash drive is still not readable or the peripheral device is not connected to the laptop, it is possible that the problem lies in this particular equipment.
The assumption is checked by connecting gadgets to other ports of the laptop - or to another computer.
Other USB devices
Another problematic situation with USB ports arises when a large number of external devices are connected to a laptop at the same time.
For example, the user has already connected three gadgets (, and) to four ports, after which he is trying to install another USB flash drive.
Sometimes such a drive will simply not be detected by the system - and you can check the assumption by turning off 1-2 peripheral devices.
Simultaneous connection to a laptop of a large number of USB devices and adapters.
Most often, this situation occurs not when connecting peripherals directly to a laptop, but when using a "hub" (a USB hub that increases the number of connections).
You can solve the problem by reducing the number of connected devices - or even better, removing the hub and connecting all the gadgets directly.
Incorrect BIOS configuration
See the list of solutions to the problem with USB ports.
Sometimes with the help of this interface it is possible to enable the controllers that switch off independently on the motherboard.
To activate, several steps are required:
- Reboot the system while pressing the function keys to enter the BIOS (for some laptops, this is F1 or F2, for others - Del or Esc).
- Select the Advanced or Integrated Peripherals section.
- Go to the USB Configuration menu item and change the parameter value in the USB Controller section (there may be several of them and with different names) to Enabled.
BIOS interface settings.
After a reboot, the hardware configuration on the laptop will change, and USB ports that were not recognized by the system before may turn out to be working.
System settings
A laptop running on battery power can automatically turn off some controllers to save energy - especially if it approaches critical values.
In this situation, first of all, you should connect the laptop to the network, and then change the power parameters, by following these steps:
1 Open Device Manager.
2 Select the branch for the serial bus controllers.
3 Find and open the subkey of the USB root hub.
4 Double-click the properties of the hub and go to the power settings.
If the problem was incorrect power settings that caused the laptop to automatically disable ports, a checkmark will be placed here on the option to allow power off the hub.
By removing it, you can return the ports to work.
The steps are repeated for each hub if there are more than one on the laptop.
Prevent the system from disconnecting USB ports in order to save energy.
Driver problem
The problem might be - and in most cases it is - in problems with USB drivers.
You can find the problem by going to Device Manager (via computer properties or by typing in mmc devmgmt.msc).
It is possible that one of the ports is marked in the list with a special icon - a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark, signaling that the equipment is not working properly.
The problem can be tried solve in one of 2 ways:
- Try to update the drivers (preferably an Internet connection) in the properties of the USB controller.
- Remove the device marked with a yellow triangle from Dispatcher and restart laptop.
When using the second option, the rebooted system will try to install new software for discovered "new" equipment. Sometimes this will restore the port to work.
For the first option, you may need to find out the ID number by which the corresponding driver is searched on the Internet - this identifier is located in the device properties on the details tab.
Determining the ID of the USB port.
If the motherboard drivers are not working properly (usually with outdated laptops made several years ago), download and install the appropriate software can solve the problem.
To do this, the laptop user needs to first find out - for example, use the AIDA64 application, which is paid, but works without entering a key confirming the payment during a certain trial period.
The device name will help identify and msinfo32 command, entered in the "Run" form (called by the Win + R keys).
Determining the name of the motherboard.
You can try to find the drivers for the corresponding board on the manufacturer's website - or on the resource of the company that developed the chipset.
You should know: If you do not have time and experience in finding and updating drivers, you can use the help of the utility. After installation on a laptop, it will independently check and update all the necessary software. The disadvantage of using this method is that, if you do not choose to manually configure updates, the application will automatically replace drivers for almost every detail and even update some programs - this usually takes several hours.
A utility for searching and updating control programs and other applications.
Incorrect operation of the operating system
Replacing this part returns the port (or several connectors at once) to its normal state.
In order to encounter such problems as rarely as possible, the user should not connect a large number of USB devices to the laptop - especially using special splitters ("hubs").
It is also worth enabling the automatic installation of updates in the appropriate section of Windows - this usually allows the system to independently solve driver problems.
The front panel with audio and USB ports is an integral part of any modern computer. This is a very handy thing that allows you to connect removable media, headphones or a microphone without unnecessary gestures. However, it is often with the front panel that problems arise, as a result of which the sound stops working, and you can no longer use the computer in the usual way. In this article, we will try to understand the possible causes of such malfunctions.
Before troubleshooting the front headphone and microphone jacks, you need to make sure that all drivers are installed correctly and that sound is working properly on the back of your computer. If there is no sound when the headphones are connected from the back of the system unit, then the malfunction is more global, and, therefore, requires a different approach to the solution and a separate conversation. This article will be devoted entirely to the front panel.
Why doesn't the sound on the front panel work?
We start diagnostics by remembering at what moment the inputs ceased to function. For example, if the computer was only recently assembled, and you have never used headphones with a microphone, then it is possible that the connectors were incorrectly connected (or not connected at all) to the motherboard during assembly, i.e. the front panel is simply not connected properly. If the panel worked properly before, then try to establish an action, after which the problems probably started. Maybe some settings were made in the Control Panel or BIOS. If nothing comes to mind, follow the guidelines below.
Checking the headphone and microphone input connections
This item will be relevant for those cases when the computer was disassembled / assembled and after that the sound on the front panel stopped working. It is necessary to make sure that the panel is actually connected - the connector is connected to the correct pins on the motherboard, and the integrity of the lead wires is not compromised. To connect the front panel, either one-piece connector of two types - AC'97 and HD Audio, as well as separate connectors with markings can be used.
The AC'97 format is obsolete and rarely seen today. At the same time, the HD Audio (High Definition Audio) standard is now widely used. On the motherboard, the front panel HD Audio connector is usually labeled with a letter, for example, F_Audio.
If you are still not sure where to connect the pad, refer to the manual for your motherboard. Below we give the pinout of AC'97 and HD Audio.
Wiring diagram of individual connectors to AC'97:
Front Panel BIOS Configuration
Sometimes it happens that the front panel works according to the old AC'97 standard, and the motherboard provides the new High Definition Audio specification. By the way, both connectors are similar, and the user may not pay attention to this discrepancy. At the same time, no problems should arise when connecting a panel with AC'97 to a motherboard with High Definition Audio. True, in some cases you will have to change the operating mode through the BIOS.
We go into the BIOS by pressing the F2 or DEL key when the computer boots. Next, go to the "Advanced" section and look for the "Onboard Devices Configuration" item. Below is the “Front Panel Type” parameter (it can also be called High Definition Front Panel Audio or Legacy Front Panel Audio). Switch it from HD Audio to AC97. If your front panel uses the HD Audio standard, and the BIOS is set to AC97, then switch back.
Some motherboards do not provide the ability to change the operating mode of the front panel, but only allow you to disable or enable the sound controller. The Onboard Audio Function parameter (may have a different name) is responsible for this function, which provides only the "Enabled" and "Disabled" values. In such a situation, you do not need to reconfigure something in the BIOS, and the sound should work without additional manipulation.
Configuring Sound Devices in the Windows 7/10 Control Panel
If you are one hundred percent sure that the front headphone and microphone inputs are connected correctly and everything is set correctly in the BIOS, it's time to go to the sound settings in the Windows 7/10 environment itself. First of all, go to the Control Panel, and then to the "Sound" section. On the "Playback" and "Recording" tabs, check that the default devices are installed.
To display all devices, right-click anywhere in the window and set the checkboxes "Show disconnected devices" and "Show disconnected devices".
On the "Playback" tab, click the same right button on the active device and select "Properties". In the "General" section, we look at the list of connectors - there should be an item "Front panel 3.5 mm jack".
In the same way, we check the properties of the microphone on the "Recording" tab.
Front Panel Configuration Using Realtek HD Manager
If all the above steps do not work and the front panel for headphones and microphone still does not work, try playing with the Realtek HD settings. If the drivers are installed correctly, this sound configurator must be present on your computer. We launch it using the icon on the taskbar or, if there is none, following the path Control Panel - Realtek HD Manager.
In the program window, select the "Speakers" section and click on the yellow folder in the upper right corner.
Make sure that there is a check mark next to the item "Disable front panel slot detection", if it is not there, be sure to check it.
We save the settings and check if the sound on the front panel is working now. In most cases, the problem should be resolved.
Here, in the Realtek HD manager, you can make additional device settings. Follow the corresponding link in the upper right corner of the window.
Using the switches, we achieve the required sound configuration.
We tried to tell you as fully as possible how to act in a situation when the microphone and headphones on the front panel do not work on the computer. If none of the above helps, try reinstalling or updating your sound drivers. In extreme cases, seek help from specialists.
