Bizarre headphone audio output issue

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bones_

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Jul 27, 2023
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Hi! I have a refurb HP Probook 640 G3 that's not outputting sound out from its headphone jack and does not recognize that the attached headphones have a microphone as well. Audio out from the integrated speakers work normally, as with the integrated microphone (which it continues to use even with the headset connected). A Bluetooth headset also works normally. I ended up looking in the BIOS settings for the headphone audio out setting, which was enabled, but the most bizarre thing is that audio out through the headphones worked normally in the BIOS menu. The loud beeps came through the headphones. It categorically has to be a software issue. Another bizarre bit is that in the Volume Mixer it shows which programs are producing sound and how much, but the volume bar for the headphones device doesn't move at all. I assume fixing this would fix the issue, but I'm not savvy enough to know what could cause it. Attached is a screenshot of the volume mixer.

Please let me know if there's any further information that would be helpful! Thank you
 

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Bruce said:
g'day and welcome to the forum. :)

what is the make/model of the headphones?
Click to expand...
I've tried several, one is the 1More Sonoflow HC905 and the other I own is the Phoinikas H-1 Gaming Headset. I also tried some earbuds I borrowed for a bit, though I don't know the make and model of them.
 
looks like the laptop only has a stereo headphone jack, which is a 3 pole jack as used on headphones.
headsets (like your Phoinikas) have a 4 pole jack (extra for the mic) so if you are plugging a headset into the headphone port, that may explain your issue.

but it looks like the SonoFlow unit is bluetooth - is this the unit that does work?
 
Bruce said:
looks like the laptop only has a stereo headphone jack, which is a 3 pole jack as used on headphones.
headsets (like your Phoinikas) have a 4 pole jack (extra for the mic) so if you are plugging a headset into the headphone port, that may explain your issue.

but it looks like the SonoFlow unit is bluetooth - is this the unit that does work?
Click to expand...
It works when using bluetooth yeah but it doesn't work when using the headphone cord in the jack. Also I was under the impression that even if you stick a 4 pole into a 3 pole you still get audio out, which I am not. Also, product specs on the manufacturer website specify it as a headphone/microphone jack as per this link: https://support.hp.com/ca-en/document/c05351766#AbT12
 
Wait how would it have sent audio through the headhpones in the BIOS menu if it was physically incompatible
 
plug in a stereo mic (who has these anymore!) and see if it works.
plug in a 3 pole headphone and see if that works.

and you have already tried a 4pole headset that doesn't work - sort of proves the point really.

I once tried a 4pole jack with a 3pole device (or maybe the other way around?) and could get audio if the jack was pushed in 'just so' but not audio and mic capability! and had to hold it in place with my hand, which was near impossible to keep still.

maybe that's how you got lucky with them working in BIOS. or software is kicking in when Windows starts and changing things.

not that it helps you, but if I ever need headphone or mic devices, I always get USB connectable ones, simply plug and play and never have all this palaver!
 
I managed to find some old earbuds with only 3 poles on em, but there's still the same issue. The audio shows in the app that's making the sound in volume mixer but it doesn't seem to make it to the main headphones audio out channel. No sound.
I can't use USB on this one because it's my partner's and they use a drawing tablet that eats up all the USB ports on the laptop. :(
 
when you right click the sound icon in the system tray, and select Open sound settings, in the Output section, in the drop down menu for Choose your output device, how many options are available?
 
Bruce said:
when you right click the sound icon in the system tray, and select Open sound settings, in the Output section, in the drop down menu for Choose your output device, how many options are available?
Click to expand...
It's two, the speakers and the headphones. The programs are all under the headphones tab(in volume mixer) and supposed to be sending their sound there. However, it's like they send the signal to an empty void.
 
first test the sound without windows.
make a ubuntu bootable usb or dvd
https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/create-a-usb-stick-on-windows#1-overview NO install needed

Or here is a Youtube on how to make the usb

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Insert the usb or cd/dvd and boot your system. You may have to change bios settings to boot from the usb or cd/dvd(every computer is different) We can help with this.
 
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PeterOz said:
first test the sound without windows.
make a ubuntu bootable usb or dvd
https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/create-a-usb-stick-on-windows#1-overview NO install needed

Or here is a Youtube on how to make the usb

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Insert the usb or cd/dvd and boot your system. You may have to change bios settings to boot from the usb or cd/dvd(every computer is different) We can help with this.
Click to expand...

Okay so I wouldn't have to overwrite the system's existing OS?
 
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