The laptop does not have a microphone jack. What pitfalls might these solutions have? Variety of plugs or correcting incorrect connections
It is not always the case that a new headset connected to a computer starts working automatically after connecting the plug to the correct connector. Often, different OS require additional manipulations to activate the device. Let's look at how to set up a microphone on headphones and then check its functionality via Skype or another program.
Variety of plugs or correcting incorrect connections
Before buying headphones, check how many audio and microphone jacks yours has. system unit. Modern computers and laptops have a combined jack, which transmits both signals through one input.
Older system units have separate microphone and headphone jacks. In such a situation, you need to purchase a headset with two plugs. They will be in different colors:
- pink or red – microphone;
- green – headphones.
Recommendations: How to set up headphones for high-quality sound reproduction 
, How to properly set the equalizer (for headphones) 
How to make a microphone from headphones 
They must be connected to the computer by color into the corresponding sockets. If you bought a headset with one wire, but the system unit needs a model with two, you can buy a special adapter. On one side it will have an input for a combined jack, on the other - two outputs with plugs different color. The cost of such a cord varies between 300 - 500 rubles.
Connection sequence and settings
When the headset is connected, you need to check if the sound and microphone are working. With the first option everything is simple, just turn on the music. The second one is a little more difficult. To check the functionality of the microphone, you can use:
1. A classic voice recorder that can be installed on any OS. Typically, in Windows, the program can be opened through: Start - Accessories - Voice Recorder. Start recording and find out if the sound works.
2. You can go to installed program Skype, find the sound test (Echo/Sound Test Service) and run it. However, in this case, the settings of Skype itself may be configured incorrectly.
3. Immediately go to the computer settings and check that the microphone is turned on.
Each OS has its own path to sound settings, but there are no difficulties even for users with basic knowledge PC should not occur.
How to enable microphone on headphones on Windows XP, 8, 8.1
The microphone activation procedure takes no more than 5 minutes. To do this, after turning on and checking the headset, if it does not work, do the following:
1. Find the sound image in the lower right corner, click on it right click mouse and select “Playback Devices”.
2. The “Playback” subsection will open. Find “Speakers”, right-click and set “Set as default”. There, look for “Speaker Settings” and set “Stereo” in the configurations.
3. Returning to the subsection, find the “Record” column at the top. And do the same with “Microphone”, only instead of settings, select “Properties” and “Levels”, where you set the indicator to the maximum.
4. After such manipulations, check the operation of the headset in a way convenient for you.
If the accessory does not work, double-check that it is connected correctly. As well as the functionality of the device on another computer or mobile phone(if model with a combination plug). So, you can determine the serviceability of the headphone and microphone jacks themselves in the system unit.
Important! Setting the default settings and volume level are the same everywhere, only the search paths for the window to make changes are different.
Configuration via control panel for all Windows, including 10
The control panel is a window where shortcuts for settings of all main computer functions are displayed, including sound and recording. To open it in Windows XP, 7 or 8, just click on the “Start” button and find the corresponding entry. Then, select “Sounds” and carry out the manipulations listed above.
Headphone wiring 
Structured differently Windows interface 10, where there is no usual “start”. To get to the settings, do:
- press Win+S to open the menu;
- find the image of the “house”;
- select Control Panel (desktop app);
- in the window that opens: Equipment and sound – sound.
This will take you to the necessary columns for configuration.
"Microphone not detected" error
Sometimes, in order to understand how to set up a microphone on headphones, you first need to “force” the computer to see it. For this:
- go to the control panel and find “Device Manager”;
- look for the column “sound, gaming and video devices”;
- find the right microphone, right-click and select “Enable”.
After this, carry out all the manipulations described above and use the microphone in the headphones, if it is working.
Video material on the topic
To make it easier for you to understand the sequence of actions, watch the video about microphone settings on Windows 7.
Headphones are required device, which is actively used when connecting to a computer. This is not surprising, since the use of headphones can significantly expand its functionality. If there is a microphone, such a device will become indispensable when communicating on Skype or other communication services. Headphones are no less useful for those who regularly play games. computer games online, as they allow you to stay in touch with your fellow players.
Even a standard function for headphones - playing music - deserves attention from users, especially if it is not possible to listen to music through speakers, due to the risk of disturbing someone.
Briefly about connectors and outputs
The design of most computer models includes a sound card. As a rule, a sound card is built into the motherboard or connected separately. To connect headphones with a microphone, your computer or laptop must have two outputs: one for sending audio to the headphones, the other for the microphone.
Typically, headphone outputs are labeled green colors, while for the microphone it is pink, but it is not uncommon for the connection to occur linearly. As a rule, computer panels have symbols on them that will help you not to make a mistake about which connector needs to be inserted.
Headphones that are used on computers, or rather their plugs, are also marked with the colors indicated above. This significantly distinguishes them from ordinary headphones for music players, since there is no question of any marking there.
Another difference between computer headphones is their durability. Thanks to the longer and thicker cable, these headphones can last much longer than regular ones, and in addition, they are more comfortable to use.
To connect headphones, just insert them correctly into the computer connectors: the green plug into the green connector, the pink plug into the pink connector. After this, the headphones are configured using a special program.
Connecting headphones on laptops is absolutely identical. Typically, headphone and microphone jacks are located either on the left side of the laptop or on the front panel located in front of the user. By the way, if the headphones do not easily fit into the laptop jack, you should not think that they are not suitable. Most manufacturers specifically make headphone connectors tighter in their products so that they last longer.
Newer laptop models have combo jacks that allow you to connect headphones and a microphone. They may not be marked with the colors indicated above, but there are symbols near the connectors that will help you find out where the required connector is located.
Connecting headphones to a computer
After you have inserted the headphone plugs into the appropriate sockets on your computer, you need to check if they work. In most cases, after this procedure, the sound is already played in the headphones, and therefore the headphones do not require any further adjustment.
However, there are times that even after properly connecting the headphones and the computer, no sound appears. IN in this case you should do the following:
1. Check if the headphones themselves work. The problem may be that they are not working. To check, it is recommended to use any working device with headphone output: TV, MP3 player, video player, tablet.
2. Another reason why connected headphones do not reproduce sound is the lack of necessary drivers. In order to check for drivers, you need to enable any sound file on the computer through the speakers. If the speakers work, then the drivers are installed on your computer, and the problem lies elsewhere.
If there are no drivers on your computer, you should go to "Device Manager" via the control panel.
Next you should find the lines "Sound Devices" And "Audio outputs and audio inputs". Opposite them there should not be marks in the form of exclamation marks or crosses. If you see such symbols opposite the specified lines, you need to reinstall the drivers on your computer.
3. If you are convinced that everything is normal with the drivers and headphones on your computer, it may be that the volume on the computer is set to minimum. To fix this, you need to look for the speaker icon in the bottom right corner. By clicking on it, a mixer will appear on the screen, allowing you to control the sound level.
You can also check whether the sound is set to minimum in "Control Panel" In chapter "Sound", link "Volume Setting".
It is also worth noting that with the help of indicators that are displayed in the sound mixer, you can determine whether sound is being played by the computer. If no audio file is playing, the mixer does not move.
For those who use headphones with a microphone, it is also useful to know that you can monitor the operation of the microphone in the tab "record", which is located in the section "Sound" in the control panel.
If after performing these steps the sound in the headphones on your computer does not work, you need to familiarize yourself with the possible reasons for the lack of sound. In addition, the reason for the lack of sound may be a malfunction of the sound card, and then the computer will need the help of a specialist.
Connect headphones and speakers to the computer in parallel
There are often cases when a computer has only one connector for connecting both speakers and headphones. Obviously, constantly changing devices is not very convenient, especially since over time this will wear out the connector and it will work worse. One way to solve the problem is to connect headphones to speakers, which in turn are connected to the computer. However, this solution is only suitable for regular headphones that do not have a microphone.
The optimal solution to the problem is to connect headphones and speakers in parallel to one computer connector. This method is quite convenient, since the sound will work both in the speakers and headphones, and at the moment when you need only the headphones to work, you can easily turn off the speakers with the corresponding button.
This method is only possible if you have a special splitter, which can be purchased at a radio or cable store. The cost of such a cord is within 100-150 rubles.
Video on connecting speakers and headphones at the same time for Windows 7
How to connect headphones with a microphone
It was already mentioned above that headphones with a microphone are specially marked and have two plugs - one green (headphones) and the second pink (the microphone itself). This marking is present on most models of headphones with a microphone, and is necessary precisely so that the user can connect them to a computer device without unnecessary difficulties.
Typically it looks like this:
First of all, you need to insert the headphone plug into the corresponding connector on the computer panel, and do the same with the microphone plug. Once you have installed the headphone plugs into the appropriate connectors on your computer, you need to do the following:
1. For Windows users XP: go to the control panel, select the item "Sounds and Audio Devices", select item "Speech"
2. For Windows 7 users: go to control panel, go to section "Sound" and select an option "Playback".
If your headphones are connected to the computer correctly, then there should be green marks opposite the corresponding lines. Here you can configure the headphones in the appropriate sections.
Good day!
After purchasing a new laptop, many people wonder why there is only one connector (input) on the case for connecting headphones and a microphone (previously there were always two, or even more).
The fact is that in many modern models Laptops are equipped with a headset (combined) jack. Manufacturers save space on the case mobile device, and users again have to buy additional adapters and puzzle over how to connect regular computer headphones to such a connector.
In this article I will consider this question: what, how, why and why...
How to distinguish the headset jack
To begin with, I want to show how the headset jack on the laptop body is designated. If before there were 2 inputs (at least): on one there was a microphone icon, on the other - headphones (see photo 1); then when using the headset jack, you will have a combined icon, and only one (see photo 2).
Photo 1. Laptop - microphone and headphone jack
photo 2. Headset jack
If there is such an icon on the case of your device, then you are 100% dealing with a headset jack. Naturally, you will not connect ordinary computer headphones with a microphone to it (such as in photo 3. Probably the most common headphones for a PC).
Photo 3. Computer “ears”
Note! If you are buying new headphones for your laptop and don’t want to get into trouble, pay attention to the plug on the headphones. For the headset jack it must have 4 contacts (see photos 4 and 5)! If the headphones have 3 contacts, then they are for a regular (and familiar to everyone) audio input.
Photo 4. 4 contacts on the plug (for the headset jack)
Photo 5. 3 contacts on the plug (for a regular audio input)
Connecting regular computer headphones with a microphone to a laptop with a headset jack
1) Direct connection
If you don’t need a microphone, you can try connecting headphones to the headset jack - in most cases the headphones will work for you (note: the red audio plug from the microphone does not need to be connected anywhere) .
In this case, however, there is one significant drawback: you will not be able to communicate with other people, for example, in this popular app, like Skype. Therefore, I still offer other options below...
2) Using a special adapter
Most cheap way- this is to purchase a special adapter. It is not expensive and is available in almost every major computer store (or audio-video equipment store).
Important! Among the adapters there are those that are just a splitter for audio output: i.e. you can connect to it, for example, two pairs of headphones, or speakers and headphones. As a rule, on adapters for connecting regular headphones and a microphone to the headset jack, the outputs are marked green (headphones) and red (microphone) (see photo below).
Photo 6. Adapter
3) Using an external sound card
If you don't like your built-in sound card, you can buy an external one that connects to a USB port. Many of them are slightly larger than a regular flash drive.
On such a sound card, as a rule, there are several audio inputs, just for a microphone and headphones (speakers). An example of what it looks like is shown in the photo below.
Perhaps only a couple of disadvantages:
- Such a sound card costs more than an adapter, and even more than many cheap headsets;
- one USB port will be occupied (which, for example, is critical on a laptop).
Note! Despite this small size sound card - many of them can produce sound quality higher than your built-in sound card.
Photo 7. Using an external card on a laptop
4) Bluetooth or Wi-Fi headset
Another option is to buy headphones with a microphone that work over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. In this case, you will not need a headset jack on your laptop at all...
There are several disadvantages:
- are more expensive than regular headphones;
- There are batteries that will need to be charged.
Photo 8. Wi-Fi headset
Connecting headphones to a regular audio input
I decided to say a few words about the opposite situation: what if you have a headset that you want to connect to a laptop that does not have a headset jack?!
In general, this situation occurs less frequently than the first.
In this case, I recommend purchasing an adapter: it consists of one jack (for a headset) and two audio plugs (connected to the connectors on the laptop, an example is shown in the photo below). True, such an adapter is less common than its “reverse” analogues - it’s easier to find and order in an online store (in my opinion).
Photo 9. Another adapter
That's all for me. Good luck and fast connection!
Play games, listen to music, talk on Skype without disturbing others - all this is possible using headphones with a microphone. The gadget makes life much easier for the user of a PC or laptop.
Jacks and types of connecting headphones with a microphone
At the beginning of the article, I would like to clarify a little the situation with the connectors and sockets of headphones and a computer.
So if you bought modern headphones with a built-in microphone, then most likely they will have a combo jack that will look like this:
Please note that this jack has three dark contact strips, two of them for headphones, right and left channels, and one for the microphone. This means that if your computer or laptop has a special combo connector, then you just need to connect the headset, and everything will work. But, unfortunately, in cases with desktop computers, this is not always the case. In most cases, a computer has 2 jacks, one for headphones only (usually green) and the other only for a microphone (usually Pink colour).
This is what a regular headphone jack looks like without a microphone (only two contact strips): 
How to connect headphones with a combo jack to a desktop computer that does not have a combo jack? You will need a special adapter cord: 
In the case of a laptop, you will most likely have better luck; modern models have built-in combined jacks (note the icon - headphones with a microphone), which look something like this: 
U desktop computers It’s convenient to connect the headset to the front panel; in my case it looks like this: 
It is difficult to make a mistake when connecting; all sockets have a corresponding icon. If your computer doesn’t have such sockets on the front panel, it doesn’t matter, there are definitely some on the back. If, of course, your computer has a sound card.
We connect and configure headphones to a PC running Windows XP, 7, 8, 8.1
There shouldn't be any difficulties when connecting. Everything is extremely simple - the “procedure” will take no more than 2 minutes.
The headphones have two connectors: one for the “ears” themselves (usually green), the other for the microphone (usually pink). Of course, there are models without a microphone (there is one connector), but basically all modern headphones come with a microphone. After all, voice communication via the Internet is becoming more popular than telephone communication.
You can connect the device using the front or rear panel, depending on where there are free inputs.
- Connect the ear connector. It's usually either green or has a headphone icon next to it;
- Connect the microphone jack. It is usually pink or has a microphone icon next to it;
- If you have a combined jack on your headphones and a corresponding jack on your computer, just connect and don’t need to do anything else;
- Turn on your favorite song or movie and check the sound. If there is sound, everything is fine. If not, then right-click on the speaker icon in the lower right corner of the monitor. Then select "Playback Devices":
- There will be several (or one) devices in the list, make sure that the “Speakers” device is selected and there is a green checkmark next to it:
- If not, select this device, right-click on it and select the "set as default" menu:
- Now select the speakers, and click on the “set up” button, which is located just below, then select audio channels“stereo”, you can click on the “test” button, you should hear the sound from the channel that is displayed on the screen, and click “next”:
- Check the box in the “full-range speakers” settings in the “front left and right” position and click “next”, and then “done”:
- The speakers on the right have a scale, turn on the music, if when playing music the scale does not fill and there is no sound, then something is not working correctly:
- If the scale fills up but there is no sound, check the volume level. You can do this by left-clicking on the speaker icon in the lower right corner of the monitor:
If the volume is set, the scale is filling, but there is no sound, it means that either you inserted headphones into the wrong socket, or your headphones are faulty, check them on another device that definitely works;
We connect and configure a microphone to a PC running Windows XP, 7, 8, 8.1
- To check the microphone, connect it, click on the speaker icon, which is located in the lower right corner, right-click and select “recording devices” there:
- Select your microphone and make it your default device. Most likely, it will already be one, but it doesn’t hurt to check:
- A menu will appear where your microphone should be displayed. Check if you clap your hands next to it to see if the gauge is filling:
- If not, then right-click on the device and select “properties”:
- Then go to the “levels” tab, set the value to 80, check again:
If after this the scale does not fill, then you most likely connected the microphone to the wrong connector, or your microphone is not working. If it is full, then select this device “use as default” and use it.
The headphones work properly and make the owner happy. For the most effective use and settings of the device and all sound in general, use the programs that come with your sound card, usually these are Realtek applications, but not always, so be careful.
Main features of the Realtek application:
- volume control;
- adjusting sound quality, microphone;
- Configuring front and rear panel connectors.
And many other nice additions.
We connect headphones to a laptop on Windows XP, 7, 8, 8.1
Laptops have only one connector for connecting headphones and, most likely, it will be a combined one. If not, no problem, because... Almost all laptops come with a built-in microphone.
The algorithm for connecting headphones to a laptop is exactly the same as to a computer; follow the instructions given just above:
- Connect the device;
- Checking the sound;
- You are using it.
Drivers for headphones and microphones are usually not needed.
The headphones and microphone are connected, all that remains is to configure the headphones to suit your needs.
- Adjust the microphone volume. Right-click on the speaker icon, select "recording devices", then right-click on the microphone, select "properties", then go to the "levels" tab. There is no need to set all values to maximum. You don’t want your interlocutor to hear only wheezing? Photos of the process are presented just above;
- Adjust the volume level in your ears to a comfortable level so that you can clearly hear the music or your interlocutor. However, keep in mind that it is best to adjust the volume based on the sound of the music on your computer. Quite often it happens that the interlocutor has incorrectly adjusted the microphone sensitivity level, and it will sound either quiet or loud, then, if circumstances permit, you need to tell your interlocutor about this. He must set the microphone correctly, because... if you adjust to it, you may forget that you changed the volume level, and then, when you turn on music or a movie, you may be startled by the very loud sound, or worry that the sound is very hard to hear.
Connected. Set up. Now enjoy crystal clear sound.
Welcome our dear visitors! In today's publication we will tell you how to easily and simply connect headphones to a computer or laptop. It would seem such a simple question, but some users still ask it. What are headphones with a microphone for? First of all, to communicate over the Internet via popular services or programs.
The most popular one at the moment is Skype. And regular headphones will also come in handy when using a computer. In the article, we will tell you how to properly connect headphones with a microphone to a laptop or computer, as well as how to simultaneously connect speakers and headphones. We also recommend taking a look at our other publication, which describes in great detail connecting a microphone in Windows.
Connecting headphones to a computer or laptop
Let's start with the fundamental points. Today, every laptop is equipped with a built-in sound card. Actually, that’s where you need to stick them. Let's refresh our memory and remember what connectors there are and where to connect the headphones to the computer.
As you can see, the motherboard has corresponding connectors for headphones/speakers (acoustic output) and microphone. The colors of these ports have long been standardized, so the green connector is responsible for the headphones themselves, and the red one is for the microphone. If you are the happy owner of a separate sound card, then there is also nothing complicated.
So, if you have regular headphones, then connecting them to the green connector on the built-in or external sound card of your computer is now easy. Actually, this is the entire headphone connection diagram. Laptops provide a headphone connection from the side panel. The headphone jack is marked with a special graphic icon:
Let's move on to more complex cases. When it is necessary to configure the headphones or when the headphones do not work when connected to the laptop jack or connector sound card computer.
Checking the audio card driver
First, let's make sure that you have the audio driver installed. To do this we need to get into the dispatcher Windows devices. There are several ways to do this. The first way is to click on the computer icon on the desktop and select the desired menu item.
Or find Device Manager in command line via the Start menu:
The third way is to find the Device Manager through the Control Panel. To do this, you need to open it through “Start” > “Control Panel”, in the control panel find the “System” item and there will be a link to the device manager. Which method you use is not so important. The main thing is that in the section “Sound, video and gaming devices"You have installed the drivers for your sound card and there are no unknown devices as shown in the following screenshot.
If unknown devices Yes, then in order not to suffer later with non-working headphones, it is better to go to the website of the laptop manufacturer or motherboard computer and download drivers for your PC's sound card.
How to connect headphones with a microphone
So, we showed where to connect headphones with a microphone - as we wrote above, there is also a red (usually this color) connector, which is responsible for the microphone. And if you have headphones with a microphone, then they should have two jacks. This is what the headset looks like:
Plug both jacks into the corresponding connectors and start Windows. If you have Windows XP, then go to:
Control Panel → Sounds and Audio Devices → “Speech” tab
Volume → Options → Properties
And check the box next to “Microphone”.
In Windows 7 you need to do the same thing, just a little differently. We go to:
Control Panel → Sound → Playback
If you have correctly connected your headphones with a microphone, then they should have a green checkmark opposite them. This is where you need to make necessary settings headphones. The main sections here are the “Configure” and “Properties” buttons. It's not difficult, we're sure you'll figure it out.
Let's finish connecting headphones with a microphone and move on to another question. How to produce simultaneous connection headphones and speakers or two headphones at once.
How to connect both headphones and speakers at the same time
How to connect two headphones or speakers simultaneously into one connector? Very simple! You can use an amplifier for this, but it is expensive and not everyone needs it. Therefore, it is better to buy a cheap splitter into which you can immediately plug in both headphones and speakers. Here's what it roughly looks like:
Using this splitter you can connect two headphones. There are also more complex splitters that support more devices. The main thing here is that the outgoing signal has enough power and everything can be heard.
Setting up Realtek HD audio Codecs on a laptop and computer
In addition to the described gadget in the form of a cable with Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8, quite flexible software is supplied that Realtek HD audio Codecs. If your headphones, microphone or speakers do not work, then you probably need to look for the reason there. This also applies to more than half of the cases where the front panel outputs do not work (except when the panel is simply not connected). Therefore, the next, final chapter will be about configuration Realtek Audio. To get to Realtek Audio, just find its icon in the tray.
Or find it in the control panel (Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Realtek HD Manager). We make sure that the microphone and speakers are working and the system sees them.
At Realtek setup HD Audio is best to pay attention to the following points:
You need to set the stereo speaker configuration, select the desired one sound card by default (after which the corresponding button will go out). We advise you to disable surround sound if it is enabled. From the picture above you can see that the working connectors sound device highlighted bright color, and non-working ones are dim. Next we go to “ Additional settings devices", where you can disable or enable audio input separation:
Microphone settings in Realtek HD Audio are done on another tab:
As you can see in the picture, you can adjust the signal gain and select the device through which the microphone will work. We hope you now know how to connect headphones to your computer or laptop.