This article provides information on how to trouble shoot wired headset issues.

Instructions:

1. Identify the Problem First:
   Clarify the symptom before changing multiple things at once:
   🔇 No sound (headphones)
   🎤 Microphone not working
   🔊 Sound but poor quality / static / one ear
   🔁 Intermittent disconnects
   ❌ Headset not detected at all

2. Physical & Connection Checks (Most Common Fixes)
   Start here—this resolves a large percentage of issues.
   Cable & Connector:
        Confirm the plug is fully seated
   Inspect for:
        -Bent or broken pins
        -Frayed cable near the plug
        -Gently flex the cable while audio is playing to check for dropouts
   Correct Port
   Auxilary jack headsets:
   -Pink = mic, Green = audio (desktop PCs)
   -Laptops often require a TRRS combo jack
   -If the headset has a single plug, you may need a Y‑splitter
   USB headsets:
   -Try a different USB port
   - Avoid unpowered USB hubs

3. Test on Another Device (Critical Isolation Step)
   Plug into:
   - Another computer
   - A phone/tablet (if compatible) 

   ✅ Works elsewhere → computer/OS issue

   ❌ Fails everywhere → headset hardware issue

4. Operating System Sound Settings
   Windows:
   Right‑click speaker icon → Sound settings

   Verify:
   Correct Output device selected
   Correct Input device selected
   Click Sound Control Panel
   Playback → headset is Default
   Recording → microphone is Default 

   Check levels:
   Ensure not muted
   Input volume ≥ 70%
   
   Mac
   System Settings → Sound

   Set:
   Output → headset
   Input → headset mic

   Speak and watch input level meter

5. App‑Specific Settings (Often Overlooked)
   Many apps override system audio settings.

   Check inside:
   Microsoft Teams

   Zoom

   WebEx
   RingCentral desktop application 

   Verify:

   Output device = headset

   Input device = headset microphone

6. Mute & Inline Controls
   Check inline mute button on the cable

   Check volume wheel

   Some headsets have hardware mic mute that OS won’t override

7. Permissions & Privacy (Mic Issues)
   If the mic is the only problem:
   Windows
   Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone
   Ensure:
   Microphone access = On
   App access = On
   Mac 
   System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone
   Ensure correct apps are allowed

8. Audio Enhancements / Exclusive Mode (Advanced)
   Disable enhancements that can break audio:

   Windows: 

   Sound Control Panel → Device properties

   Enhancements tab 

   Disable all enhancements 

   Advanced tab 

   Uncheck “Allow applications to take exclusive control”

9. When to Replace the Headset
   Consider replacement if: 

   Fails on multiple devices

   Intermittent audio when cable moves

   One channel permanently dead

   Mic not detected anywhere