Front audio outputs. Windows headphone front panel not working. Connectors and their markings

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Very often I encountered a situation where on the front panel of the system unit there are connectors for connecting headphones and a microphone, but there is no sound there and they do not work. It seems that 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, what do they have to lose - since they made these headphone jacks to increase the competitiveness of their product, then they can connect them! But this doesn't always happen. That is, it happens that these connectors are for headphones on the front panel connected to the motherboard, and the reason is in the settings.

Naturally, after googling and finding different solutions to the problem, I came to the following conclusions:

The most common reasons for the lack of sound in the headphones on the front panel:

However, there is a universal solution to this problem - buy a headphone extension cord with a 3.5mm jack, connect it to the back instead of using the front panel, and alternately plug speakers and headphones into it. Place the output of this extension cord 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 am very pleased.

In the comments you can ask a question or describe your case, this way you will help other users.

This is not the first time I have received a letter with the question:

Sergey, why do I have no sound on the front panel?

So yesterday I received a letter from one visitor to my site:

“Good day, Sergey!

I bought a computer two weeks ago, everything works well, I set up the Internet - in general, I’m happy with everything. It's good to have a computer - movies, music, games, the Internet - you can have a great time!

Here's the thing, yesterday I bought headphones with a microphone. I connected them to the front panel, but for some reason they do not work - neither the microphone nor the headphones. Everything works fine on the back, but on the front, for the life of me. Could this be a marriage? And should I apply for warranty?

Please tell me. I will be very grateful to you!

Best regards, Vadim S.”

Well, I answer

Dear Vadim, and other visitors, I want to tell you that in 99.9% of cases, you just looked at the settings poorly, and the front audio connectors are in working condition. This connector very rarely breaks!

What to do if there is no sound on the front panel?

Everything is done very easily and simply, in the lower right corner:

Click on the speaker icon. This is a driver for playing sound on your computer - “ Realtek HD”.

If it is not there, go to the control panel and launch it from there. If it's not there, then you have a different driver.

In general, when you launch it, a sound settings window will appear in front of you. You need to select the “ ” tab (for Windows XP owners - “ “ Tab Audio inputs/outputs”):

Click image for a larger view.

Then click on the folder “ Connector parameters”, and a window with the same name will appear in front of you, there you need to check the box on the item “ Disable front panel jack detection”.

As soon as you check the box there and confirm your choice - sound will sound on the front panel.

PS: I have Windows 7, so for those who have XP, the panel may be slightly different. Going to the tab “ Audio inputs/outputs”, there, near the inscription “ Analog”, there will be an image of a small wrench in a blue circle, click on it and the same window will open in front of you, and then follow the instructions

Since the release of Windows 7, almost all users have had problems related to the lack of sound from the speakers or headphones on the front audio panel, and the microphone does not work.

It is quite convenient for users to connect headphones or a microphone in front, for example, to communicate via Skype. In this case, there is no need to crawl under the computer and look in the back of the system unit, among a bunch of wires, for a headphone jack, pulling out the main speakers. And sometimes the wire length for headphones may not be enough to connect them from the back of the computer.
As a result, the front panel remains an indispensable addition to the computer.

There may be a number of reasons for the lack of sound on the front panel:

The front panel is not connected to the motherboard.
The sound card driver is not configured (for Windows 7, 8, 10).
The audio driver is not installed.
The audio driver is not compatible with the sound card.

Connecting the front soundbar to the motherboard

Open the side cover of the system unit and look for the front (front) panel connector on the motherboard - Fig. 1.

Figure 1 — Connector for front audio panel

Please note that one pin is missing from the connector (marked with a small red square).

Similarly, the soundbar cable plug is also missing one hole - Fig. 2

Figure 2 - Front panel plug. A red square indicates that there is no hole

This is done to ensure that it is impossible to connect the panel incorrectly. Be careful when connecting the connector, orienting it correctly, according to Figures 1 and 2, so as not to bend the connector pins.

So. We connected the connector.

We connect headphones to the panel. Let's turn on our favorite song. The player is playing. But there is still no sound.

Setting up an audio driver using the example of the manufacturer Realtek HD

If there is no sound from the back, then the driver is simply not installed in the system or is damaged (for example, due to viruses).
How to find out the brand and version of the driver will be described below.

If there is sound from the back, but not from the front, then we configure the driver.

NOTE: In the Windows XP operating system there were no problems with sound on the front panel. The sound card driver did not have to be configured.

Open the sound card manager Fig. 3.

Figure 3 - Realtec HD Manager (brown speaker)

A large window appears (Fig. 4), in which, according to the arrow, click on the icon.

Figure 4 - Click on the yellow icon

Then we find ourselves in another small window, where we check the box as in Fig. 5.

Figure 5 - check the box as shown

Congratulations!!! Now our panel is working.

Setting up a sound driver using a VIA sound card as an example

Setting up the VIA audio driver is practically no different from setting up the Realtek HD driver. The front panel settings in the program interface are just located slightly differently.

Open the sound card software Fig.6.

Figure 6 — VIA sound card settings program window

Click on the icon indicated by the arrow in Fig. 6, and we find ourselves in a window where, according to Fig. 7, install the switch.

Figure 7 - Select the item marked in orange

The front panel audio settings have been successfully completed. Connect your headphones and enjoy the sound.

If there is no Realtek HD or VIA Manager program. What to do?

The absence of the "Realtek HD Manager" or VIA program is if you have installed unofficial version audio drivers.

Often, when installing Windows 7, the sound driver on many motherboard models is automatically selected by the operating system and is compatible with the sound chip. But at the same time, the settings program itself (Fig. 4 and 6) is not installed. In this case, the front panel cannot be configured. At the same time, all ports on the rear panel work perfectly.

In order to download the necessary driver for your sound card, we must find out the manufacturer of the sound chip and its model.
This can be done using the Everest program.

Download the program as shown in Fig. 8.

Figure 8 - Download Everest

This is a portable version that does not require installation. Open the downloaded archive and run the everest.exe application. The program window will appear Fig. 9, in which you can learn a lot of useful and interesting things about the hardware of your computer.

Figure 9 — Everest program interface

But for now we are interested in how to find out the model of our sound card.

We do everything as in Fig. 9 - open the “Multimedia” item, and then the sub-item “Audio PCI/PnP”. If in this sub-item you see a blank window, then select the “HD Audio” sub-item.

On the right side of the program we see a list of sound devices. Yours may differ in both quantity (there may be only one sound device) and name.

We are interested in the device marked as in Fig. 9 - Realtek ALC 888. This is our sound card. It is for this that we will look for the necessary driver, according to the name.

On the Internet, by searching for Realtek ALC 888, or for example Realtek662, depending on what sound card you have, you can find a driver with a settings program for it.

In order not to look for a driver for a specific model, I am giving you a link to a universal audio driver installer that is suitable for almost all models of Realtek sound chips.

If you are the owner of a VIA sound card, you can download the driver and program for this audio card on this site.

Connecting the front panel to an additional sound card, using the example of ASUS Xonar DX 7.1

Figure 10 — ASUS Xonar DX 7.1 sound card

Owners of additional sound cards, such as ASUS XONAR or Creative, can also connect the front panel, customize it and enjoy high-quality sound in games, movies or when listening to music.
If you have the front panel connected to the motherboard, then you need to disconnect its plug and connect it to a similar connector on the sound card (in our example, ASUS XONAR DX 7.1) - Fig. eleven.

Figure 11 — Connector for connecting the front panel of the ASUS Xonar DX 7.1 sound card

Connect the plug into the connector, similar to the motherboard, and also align their pins with the holes.

Figure 13 - Application for setting up sound and the front panel

The sound settings program will open in front of us Fig. 14.

Figure 14 - Setting up sound for headphones

Expand the “Analog input” list and select FP headphones.

Windows headphone front panel not working, identifying problems and finding solutions.

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The front panel with a headphone jack is an important element of any computer. But it also happens that its work suddenly stops, listening to sound files becomes impossible.

There may be several reasons why the front panel for the headphones has stopped working.

Among the most common faults are the following:

The required drivers are not installed;
Assembly defects;
The control panel is not configured;
Parameters not set;
Input not connected;
The sound mode is not set.

And now about everything in more detail.

Let's figure out how to solve this problem. First of all, you should find out the cause of the malfunction.

Drivers

Before you begin solving the problem, you need to make sure that the drivers on your device are installed correctly. To do this, try playing the audio file using the rear panel.

If the file does not play, the problem is serious. It is better for you to seek help from a qualified specialist. If there is sound, then we proceed to solve the problem with the front panel.

When the panel malfunctioned

Remember how long ago the front panel stopped working. You may not have connected it since purchasing the device. Then most likely the problem is in the assembly. In this case, you can contact the store where you purchased the device (or a service center) for help.

If the panel was working properly and the breakdown occurred recently, remember what settings you have made recently. Perhaps something was configured in the Control Panel.

Due to incorrect installation, a failure could occur, resulting in a malfunction of the front panel of the computer.

Control Panel

Now let's move on to checking the sound settings. Open the control panel, find the sound section there.

Please note that in the “Play” tabs

and “Record” devices were set by default.

To view all installed devices, right-click on any free space and check the box next to “Show disabled devices.”

Now go to the “Play” tab. On the device that is working, right-click and launch “Properties”. In the window that opens, check that the list of connectors includes an item with a front panel.

The same needs to be done in the “Record” tab. Only here we open the microphone properties.

Realtek HD

If all the drivers on your computer are installed correctly, then you have the Realtek HD configurator. You need to check its settings. You can find it in the Control Panel.

Open the “Speakers” tab, select the yellow folder icon on the right. Make sure the “Disable front panel jack detection” option is enabled.

If the parameter has not been set, install, save and check the functionality of the panel. You also need to go to additional settings (the corresponding item is in the window on the right, at the top).

Set the options here that you want: “Separate all output jacks as independent input devices” and “Disable front panel jack detection.”

Connecting the inputs

If you have recently disassembled your computer, it is important to check that the panel was connected correctly and the wires were not damaged.

The panel can be connected in the following ways:

Using a solid block (AC'97 and HD Audio). Nowadays the most common type is HD Audio. AC'97 is already outdated and comes across very rarely.
Using separate connectors with markings.

If you don't know if everything is connected correctly, use your motherboard manual. It will help identify the problem.

The sound is not working properly

It also happens: the connectors on the panel are AC’97 type, and the sound is played back in HD. Your task is to change the way sound is played in the BIOS.

It should be displayed on the AC’97 panel. Or try turning off HD.

The front panel for Windows headphones does not work, summary

We looked at the most common problems with the front panel. If none of the methods help you, contact a specialist. The problem may be much more serious than you think.

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Everyone knows that headphones can be connected not only to a smartphone, but also to a personal computer or laptop. However, it is necessary to know the basic principles of the process. Therefore, in this article we will analyze them, and also consider possible difficulties that may interfere with achieving the goal.

How to turn on headphones through the front panel of the computer

To begin with, it is advisable to find the instructions that are included with the motherboard upon purchase. In it, on the first pages, you can find a diagram. It is necessary in order to detect a special input - a hole for audio connectors. It is usually located at the bottom, next to the USB.
Next you need to make sure it is correct. To do this, you can refer to the hint where the names are written. The one you were looking for is called an "audio connector".
Then you can take the required cable. It should be marked “hd audio”.

ATTENTION. If you have an old PC, you may need another one labeled “AC’97”.

Then you need to find the same connector, but only directly on the panel itself. Based on the diagram, it can be found at the very bottom on the left side. Of course, the location is sometimes different from others, since the manufacturers are different.

IMPORTANT. Do not confuse the recess with others similar to it. It often happens that users connect the product to USB. It is recommended to pay attention to the markings, as each system has one.

There is a specific slot on the part that is closed. This is done specifically to prevent you from connecting it incorrectly. This way, if the cable doesn't fit, you don't have to put in much effort. It is enough to check the correctness of your actions, turn again to the diagram and the equipment itself.

Therefore, after the above-described manipulations, the sound should be automatically played in the future. However, it is worth going into the settings and carefully studying the parameters.

Why don't headphones work on the front panel of the system unit?

Indeed, it may be that the procedure was not successful. In such a situation, it is advisable to independently identify the causes of the malfunction so that you can then eliminate them. Accordingly, the most common of them are:

If the PC was recently assembled, then it is possible that the connector was connected incorrectly directly to the motherboard.
Inappropriate settings in the control panel.
Sound driver problem.

You should first double-check the functionality of the headphones. That is, connect them to another device. If there is sound, it's not their fault.
Make sure the switch is in the right place. It often happens that the volume is at a minimum.
In addition, you should connect the product to the back panel of the computer, instead of speakers. Most often the connector is green.

Thus, if the problem lies in the hardware, then all that remains is to double-check that all the parts are connected correctly. But it’s still worth checking drivers and settings.