You may need to filter out background noise while working from home, which is why a headset is an essential tool for communication. Many gamers rely on headsets to take in the world established by the game’s creators as well as to interact with one another. Even with the best PC gaming headset on your head, you will not get the optimal experience until it is properly configured. What you need to know is as follows.
How to configure your Windows 10 headset
To use a headset, you must plug in it. While this step is straightforward, it’s easy to get it wrong if you’re unfamiliar with the audio ports. You can accomplish this by connecting the headset’s cable end to an available port on a computer or by clicking wirelessly. The following are the available options for headset owners:
- 3.5mm jack: Typically, older and more affordable headsets have a split cable with two 3.5mm jacks at the end, one for audio out and one for the microphone. (Pink is used for the microphone, while green is used for the headset).
- USB: USB-powered headsets provide enhanced experiences due to inline amplifiers, controls, and other features, though the quality difference between USB and 3.5mm jacks is insignificant.
- Wireless: Get access to a level of comfort while working on your computer thanks to these headphones, which are either Bluetooth-enabled or require a separate USB wireless receiver.
If your connection is too short or there aren’t any open ports on the back of your desktop PC, check for accessible ports at the front of the chassis. In terms of sound quality, the soundcard on your motherboard is the most crucial aspect compared to a dedicated digital to analogue converter (DAC).
Examining Windows 10’s audio output
Windows’ sound settings and setup must be checked when the headset is plugged into the PC. To begin, we need to ensure that Windows has the headset configured as the default audio output device.
- Right-click the sound icon in the taskbar.
- From the drop-down menu, select the proper audio device.
- Select the headset that is currently plugged in.
There are two possible options: USB or the specific brand and model of onboard audio on the motherboard. Changing the names of the items on this list will make it simpler to tell which one is which. (See below for instructions on renaming a sound output attached to your computer).
In order to make sure that we’ve picked the right device and that everything is working correctly, we’ll need to test the output. Booting up some media on the PC or using Windows’ test feature can do this.
1. In the taskbar, right-click the sound icon.
2. Open sound settings by selecting it.
3. On the right, click the Sound control panel.
4. Choose your headphones (they should have a green tick).
5. Navigate to Properties. (You can rename this sound output directly here to make switching easier.)
6. Navigate to the Advanced tab.
7. To begin, click the test button.
You’re ready to go if you hear sound through the headphones. If not, double-check that the correct device is selected for audio output and that the headset is plugged in (we’ve all been in situations where something fails to work because it isn’t physically connected).
Self-recording your voice
We’ll need to set the microphone as the default input device and increase the volume. To accomplish this, we repeat the steps used for the headphones.
1. In the taskbar, right-click the sound icon.
2. Open sound settings by selecting it.
3. On the right, click the Sound control panel.
4. To begin, click the Recording tab.
5. Select the preferred microphone.
6. Set as default by pressing Set.
7. Click Properties window
8. Navigate to the Levels tab.
9. Adjust the volume as necessary.
Test the microphone with your preferred VoIP app (Discord is an excellent choice) or recording software. Specific applications can take complete control of the microphone and adjust the levels accordingly. In comparison, others enable you to adjust the software suite’s volume without opening this recording window each time.
Troubleshooting headset issues in Windows
Ensure that you use the correct ports.
Is it plugged into a power source? Have you accessed the proper port? For 3.5mm jacks, the output is typically green, and the input is usually pink, depending on the sound card available. Combine the two, and nothing will happen. Because newer motherboards include numerous ports for surround sound, you may want to consult the manual for additional information.
Auto-detection may be malfunctioning.
OEM software may be interfering in this case. If you use software such as Realtek’s HD Audio Manager, you can try disabling jack detection to see if this helps.
Driver reinstallation
If your headset is not working correctly, the issue may be with the drivers. Navigate to Device Manager and uninstall the headset’s drivers. Please reboot the computer and reconnect the headset to allow Windows to reinstall them.
Different formats are available.
If you’re still having trouble, try changing the input/output format in the property window (use the headset steps above).
Avoid Accidental Muting
The control button options may vary depending on the headset brand and model. Volume sliders and mute buttons are conveniently located here; however, you must enable them for use.
Attempt using a different headset/device.
Try it on another computer or device to determine if the issue is with the headset (rather than your PC). Additionally, if you have another headset on hand, you could try plugging it in.
