Fix: No Stereo Sound from Headphones on Windows 10

Windows 10 has been prone to producing grotesque and equally unexpected errors for users. Among many cumbersome abnormalities, many HP users have found it difficult to get stereo output from their analogical headphones that use 3.5mm jacks on their windows 10 operating systems. This particular issue is not solved by upgrading to the latest Realtek or HP drivers. Temporary workarounds like uninstalling the default speakers/headphones and rebooting with the headphones plugged in are…temporary. Soon as Windows installs a new update, the problem will start to appear again. The problem, difficult to diagnose and debug as it may seem, isn’t impossible to solve.

The 2 methods that we are going to share have worked for the majority of users that were facing the issue. If you too have been fed up of not getting stereo from your headphones despite trying out many fixes then by the time you are done reading this article, you should no longer have the problem.

Method 1: Uncheck Improve Audio (Realtek)

Open the start menu by pressing the windows key and go to “File Explorer”.

Go to your boot drive which is most of the times, “C:\”

Now find the folder “Program files”. Double click on it.

Now go to the folder “Realtek”

Then enter the folder “Audio”.

Go inside “HDA”

Here you should find a file by the name “RtkNGUI64.exe”. Run this file.

In the tab that says “Listening experience”, there should be a checkbox that says “Improve Audio”. Uncheck it.

If the above method isn’t applicable to you or doesn’t work, please follow the second method.

Method 2: Remove Enhancements

Fire up the pop-up above the start menu by pressing “Windows key + X” keys.

Select “Control panel” from the list.

Go to the “Sound” tab in “Hardware and Sound”.

Now go to “Playback”.

There you should be able to find “Speakers”. Select it and click on “Properties”.

Now there should be an “Enhancements” tab. Move over to it and disable all the enhancements.

Method 3: Setting Balance

1. Press “Windows” + “I” and click on “System”.
2. Select “Sound” and then click on the “Sound Control Panel” under the “Related Settings” tab.

   

3. Right-click on your headphone and select “Properties”.
4. Select “Levels” and then select “Balance”.
5. Set both L and R to 50 and check to see if the issue persists.