Any Wired Headset Not Working

[Heateroni]

To start off, just a couple things things.
I have Realtek Audio Drivers installed on my laptop and use Realtek Audio Console to manage it (both of these came installed on my PC). For output, the name of my driver is Speakers/Headphones (Realtek(R) Audio) and for input, Microphone (Realtek(R) Audio). My laptop is a Dell G7 17 7790.

Any time I plug in a headphone device into my laptop, it always automatically uses the “Speakers/Headphones (Realtek(R) Audio)” output and the microphone input of a similar name aforementioned. This is a big problem especially for my mic, where whenever I’m talking to people, it uses my laptop’s built in microphone (which is pretty crappy). This wasn’t much of an issue until when I bought an Astro A40 TR headset, and realized I’m not able to use them because it automatically loops any wired headphone/headset in with my speakers drives. I’ve tried searching where I can get the Astro drivers, but I’m pretty sure when you plug them in they should automatically install. I see few fixes for computers that have Realtek Audio Manager, but none that have Realtek Audio Console. If someone has a solution, I’ll be glad to here it. Any help is much appreciated, thank you to anyone in advance.

[Bruce]

when you plug in the Astro’s, and click the volume icon in the system tray, above the volume slider there should be an up arrow that when pressed, shows the available devices - how many are shown for you?

[Heateroni]

As I previously said, it’s not listed as another output OR input device.

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[Bruce]

I’ve got Realtek Audio as well and when I plug in my Jabra headset it shows up in that list as it should.
are the Astro’s USB or 3.5mm jack connected?

when plugged in, do they show up in Control Panel (viewed by small icons), Sound ?

[Heateroni]

I’ve got Realtek Audio as well and when I plug in my Jabra headset it shows up in that list as it should.
are the Astro’s USB or 3.5mm jack connected?

when plugged in, do they show up in Control Panel (viewed by small icons), Sound ?

My Astro’s are connected via 3.5mm jack. Also, I think you have Realtek Audio Manager. I believe all Dell systems come with Realtek Audio Console and the drivers that come with Dells are a little different than other systems. And in Sound, the Astro’s are not showing up in the output (playback) or input (recording). That’s my problem. The wired headphones automatically get included with the Speakers/Headphones Realtek drivers but I need them to separate so that my Astro’s come in separately with their own drivers.

[Bruce]

admittedly these are just clutching straws, but what about uninstalling Realtek Audio Console.
and let Win10 handle these devices natively.
if no luck, you can always reload RAC.

[Heateroni]

admittedly these are just clutching straws, but what about uninstalling Realtek Audio Console.
and let Win10 handle these devices natively.
if no luck, you can always reload RAC.

Also, I’ve tried multiple times to uninstall and reinstall (the correct drivers for my laptop) Realtek(R) Audio, Microphone (Realtek(R) Audio), and Speakers/Headphones (Realtek(R) Audio). I’ve just uninstalled RAC, and to no avail. Any other ideas? It still shows up as Speakers/Headphones.
(The WH-XB900N is my Sony headset that I used Bluetooth with, that’s why I said any wired headset is not working. Unfortunately Astro A40s don’t have Bluetooth, the A50s however do, but I should still be able to use wired headphones to their full potential nevertheless.)
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[Bruce]

ok, what 3.5mm jack does the headphones use and what does the PC have?
there are 3 pole and 4 pole versions.
3 pole is for stereo audio only and 4 pole does stereo audio and microphone.

[Heateroni]

Well I don’t think the problem is with ports (if that’s what you meant instead of pole). The headphones work but the problem is they don’t show up as their own when I plug them in. I need it to at least show with a microphone, the output isn’t as important.
Edit: Also you can check which ports I have. I gave my laptop in the first post, but I’ll put it here for a secondary reference. Dell G7 17 7790. And then my headset is obviously Astros A40 TR.

[Bruce]

I really did mean poles and not ports.
just thought it was worth mentioning and checking since you have a 3.5mm port as opposed to the USB connection.
looks like the Dell has a 4 pole audio socket as it mentions it is for headphones or headsets.
and the Astro’s must be 4 pole as they are headphones and a mic.

when you plugged them in for the first time, did you get the Realtek info box pop up asking what sort of device you just plugged in?

[Heateroni]

Oh my fault with the poles part. In the bottom right I got something from RAC asking if it was either a Headphone, Headset (with mic), Mic In, Speaker Out, and other option that escapes me. I had tried all five options and none seemed to work.

[Bruce]

I’m running short of ideas.
if you haven’t already tried this, uninstall all Realtek drivers/console and reboot.
go to Dell website and get the latest audio driver and see how you go.

all I can add, is the few times I’ve had similar sort of issues with 3.5mm headphones/sets, when I converted to the USB equivalent, it all came good. so USB are the only sort of gear I get now.

hopefully some other members will chime in with suggestions.
@Bastet @veeg @georgeks

[Heateroni]

I have tried reinstalling my drivers and reinstalling the ones specific for my model. Thank you for all your continued help, and I hope the other members will have other solutions.

[Bastet]

Does the headset you wish to use have a microphone?
Does it have two plugs one for headphones & one for microphone or an all-in-one plug for both?
Does the PC have 2 sockets for same or 1 for both headset & microphone?

[Heateroni]

Yes.

I believe it has just one 3.5mm jack which is meant for input and output. However, it came with a plug that has the first one you mentioned, both on it. I believe I would need the Astro MixAmp for that and I didn’t purchase it because I didn’t think it was worth the money. I understand that it may fix my issue, but my headset should still work without it. Worst case scenario I’ll just have to purchase the MixAmp (which is $100).

I believe if I had the MixAmp it would connect via USB and install the drivers for me (I think). My laptop itself has just one socket meant for headset & microphone.

I would love to try every solution before purchasing the MixAmp, because it’s a problem with Dell’s drivers I think, not the headset. My Sony headphones also do the same thing when I plug them in. Maybe there’s a way to change my drivers, but I’m not sure since drivers are device specific.