Fix: iTunes Not Playing Through Headphones – Appuals.com

some users report that they cannot play sound through their headphones when using itunes. most affected users report that sound still comes out of the speakers (even when headphones are plugged in). everything else, including youtube, the default music app, and even games output audio through the headphones. The issue is frequently reported on various versions of windows, including windows 7, windows 8, and windows 10.

What is causing the “Headphones not working on iTunes issue”?

We investigated this particular issue by looking at various user reports and the repair strategies they used to resolve the error. Based on our investigations, there are several potential culprits that could trigger this particular error message:

Reading: Itunes won’t play through headphone jack

If you’re looking for ways to resolve this particular error message, this article will provide several troubleshooting strategies that other users in a similar situation have used to resolve the issue.

For best results, follow the methods below in the order they are presented, as they are listed by efficiency and severity. one of them is bound to solve the problem in your particular scenario.

method 1: connect headphones before starting itunes

If you are looking for a quick fix, starting (plugging in) the headphones before starting the itunes app might solve the problem automatically. this forces the application to recognize the audio output that is currently active during the initialization process.

Several affected users have confirmed that this procedure is effective for both the desktop app and the uwp (universal windows platform) version.

however, this is just a workaround and you will need to remember to do this every time you want to listen to music through the windows itunes app.

See also: Sony PHA-2 Portable headphone amplifier/USB DAC at Crutchfield

If you want a permanent solution that ensures sound from itunes comes out of your headphones as soon as you plug them in, continue to the next method below.

method 2: change default audio to direct sound

Several affected users have reported that they managed to fix the issue by going to the preferences menu and changing the default audio playback platform to direct sound. this forces the app to dynamically switch to any new devices that connect during the playback session.

This procedure has been confirmed to be effective on Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10. You should be able to follow the steps below regardless of whether you are using the desktop or the UWP application.

This is what you need to do:

1. open itunes and go to edit > preferences using the ribbon menu at the top.
2. within the playback preferences menu, go to the playback tab.
3. change the dropdown associated with play audio using to direct audio. then click ok to save your changes.
4. restart the itunes app, plug in your headphones and play some audio. you should now be able to hear the sound coming out of them.

If you’re still unable to hear any sound coming out of your headphones while playing audio on iTunes, move down to the next method below.

Method 3: Change the default playback device

another possible reason that could cause audio playback to fail in itunes is that the headphones are not set as the default device within the sound settings menu. Several affected users reported that the audio issue was resolved after setting their headset as the default playback device.

This is what you need to do:

1. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Then, type “mmsys.cpl” and press Enter to open up the Sound settings screen.
   

   

2. Once you get inside the Sound settings screen, right-click on your headphones and choose Set as Default Device.
   

   

3. Restart iTunes and see if the audio has been fixed.

If you still don’t hear sound coming out of your headphones, skip to the next method below.

Method 4: Reinstall the iTunes app

See also: Does the PS5 controller have a headphone jack? – CareerGamers

It turns out that the audio playback component can also be affected if the itunes folder contains corrupted files. This can happen if it is a malware infection or after an antivirus scan has removed some files from the itunes installation folder.

In this case, you may be able to resolve the problem by reinstalling the iTunes application. however, the steps to do this will be different depending on the version of the itunes app you have installed (the desktop version or the uwp version).

Because of this, we have created two separate guides to help you reinstall the iTunes app. be sure to follow the steps that apply to the itunes app you’re using.

reinstalling the desktop version of itunes

1. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Then, type “appwiz.cpl” and press Enter to open up the Programs and Features window.
   

   

2. Inside the Programs and Features screen, scroll down through the list of applications, right-click on the iTunes app and choose Uninstall (or use the action menu above). Then, follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation process.
3. Uninstall the rest of complementary Apple software using the same procedure. Make sure you uninstall everything that has Apple Inc. listed as the publisher (including Apple Mobile Device Support, Apple Application Support, and Apple Software Update).
4. Once every Apple application has been uninstalled, restart your computer.
5. At the next startup, visit this link (here) from your browser and click on Windows (under Looking for other versions).
   

   

6. Scroll down back to the top of the page and click on Download now (64-bit).
7. Once the download is complete, open the installation executable and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation process.
   

   

8. Once the installation is complete, restart your computer once again and see if the issue has been resolved.

reinstalling the uwp (universal windows platform) version of itunes

1. Press Windows key + R to open up a run dialog box. Then, type “ms-settings:appsfeatures” and press Enter to open the Apps & Features tan of the Settings app.
   

   

2. Once you reach the Apps & Features menu, use the search function under Apps & features to search for “iTunes“. Then, click on Advanced options (under iTunes).
   

   

3. Inside the Advanced options menu of iTunes, scroll down to the Reset tab and click the Reset button.
   

   

4. At the confirmation prompt, click the Reset button again to commence the resetting process. Once you do so, the app will be reinstalled and reverted back to its default settings. You’re locally downloaded media and playlists will not be affected.
5. Once the resetting procedure is complete, open iTunes again and see if the issue has been resolved.

If this procedure did not allow you to listen to iTunes music through your headphones, continue to the next method below.

method 5: reinstall sound driver and/or usb controller driver

if you run into this particular problem (to some degree) with other applications, it’s probably a faulty sound driver. another potential scenario (if you are using a headset that connects via usb) is that the usb controller driver is not properly recognizing the device.

several affected users reported that the issue was resolved after reinstalling the sound driver and/or usb controller driver.

here is a quick guide on how to do this:

1. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Then, type “devmgmt.msc” and press Enter to open up Device Manager.
   

   

2. Inside Device Manager, expand the Sound, video and game controllers drop-down menu. Then, right on every Audio device listed under there and choose Uninstall. At the confirmation prompt, click the Uninstall button to commence the uninstallation process.
   

   

3. Expand the Universal Serial Bus controller drop-down menu and install every Host controller that you see there.
   

   

   Note: Step 3 is not necessary if the headphones connect through the Jack.

   See also: How to Clean Your Headphones – Major HiFi