Topic “
How Do I Change Left And Right Headphones On Windows 10? “
Are your left and right headphones mismatching, making listening to music or watching videos challenging? Don’t panic: many Windows 10 users experience this issue and often struggle to find an easy solution. In this article we offer a step-by-step guide for switching them back.
Before discussing possible solutions, let’s first understand why your left and right headphones may have become mismatched. A loose physical connection may be to blame; however, software-related issues like improper audio settings or outdated drivers could also contribute.
Check Your Headphone’s Physical Connection
Firstly, ensure that your headphones are properly connected to the computer’s audio jack or USB port; for wireless headphones this means ensuring it has been successfully paired with your device.
If your headphone jack or USB port are no longer functioning as intended, or damaged beyond repair, you may require replacement hardware. As an alternative solution you could try plugging them into a different audio port to see if that resolves the problem.
Adjust Headphone Settings in Windows 10
If your headphones’ physical connection isn’t the issue, perhaps your Windows 10 settings could be. Here are a few suggestions that might help:
Windows 10 comes equipped with an audio balance setting that enables you to adjust sound levels between left and right speakers. Follow these steps to gain access to this setting:
Right-click on the speaker icon in the taskbar, select “Open Sound Settings,” scroll down, and click on the “Device Properties” link under “Related Settings,” before clicking on the “Additional device Properties” link under “Device options,” followed by selecting the “Levels” tab.
Adjust the balance slider according to your personal taste.
Change the Default Audio Device
Sometimes, Windows 10 may switch the default audio device, causing the left and right headphone channels to swap. To fix this, you can change the default audio device by following these steps:
Right-click on the speaker icon in the taskbar.
Click on “Open Sound Settings.”
Scroll down and click on the “App volume and device preferences” link under the “Related Settings” section.
Click on the “Output” dropdown menu.
Select the device that you want to use as the default audio device.
Update Audio Drivers
Outdated or corrupted audio drivers can also cause left and right headphones to swap. You can update your audio drivers by following these steps:
Press the Windows key + X and select “Device Manager.”
Expand the “Sound, video and game controllers” category.
Right-click on your audio device and select “Update driver.”
Select “Search automatically for updated driver software.”
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.
Use Third-Party Applications to Change Audio Settings
If the built-in audio settings in Windows 10 do not satisfy you, third-party applications may provide another means of altering them. Here are two popular choices:
Realtek HD Audio Manager is a free audio software offering advanced settings for Windows 10 users. You can easily download and install Realtek HD Audio Manager directly from Realtek’s website.
Once installed, follow these steps to access the audio balance settings:
Realtek HD Audio Manager should now be open; navigate to “Speakers,” “Channel Configuration”, then “Stereo,” then adjust balance sliders as necessary and turn on Equalizer APO 4.2 Equalizers as appropriate.
Equalizer APO is a free and open-source audio software solution, featuring advanced settings specifically for Windows 10 users. Download it from its official website today!
Once installed, follow these steps to access the audio balance settings:
Click on the “+” icon to add a filter, selecting “Left/Right Channel” as its type and adjusting its gain value for left and right channels separately as per your preference.
Conclusion
Swapped left and right headphones can be irritating, but there are multiple solutions you can try to correct the situation. First, check that both cables are securely connected; if that does not resolve it, try adjusting audio balance settings, switching default audio devices or upgrading drivers on Windows 10 OS; if neither solution works try third-party applications like Realtek HD Audio Manager or Equalizer APO to modify audio settings directly.
Keep your audio drivers and software updated so you have an optimal audio experience on Windows 10. Check for updates regularly to ensure the best audio experience on your device.