Windows 10 has known issues with sound, particularly with headphones. If you can’t hear sound through your headphones, or your headphones aren’t being detected by Windows 10, there are a few things you can try to get things working again.

The physical connections on your headphones are often the source of most audio issues with Windows 10 and headphones. Headphone jacks get dusty, pins get bent, and wires get frayed. The internal mechanics of some headphone devices, such as mute buttons, can come loose and cause issues.

Software and driver issues are another common cause, as with any computer peripheral. Outdated or buggy drivers, incompatibilities, and missing software can result in a similarly frustrating experience.

Troubleshooting a headphone problem depends on understanding the root cause of the issue. Once you’ve determined whether it’s a hardware or software problem, it shouldn’t be long before you have working headphones again. These tips will walk you through solutions from easiest to most difficult, so if you’re not sure what’s causing the problem, just start at Step 1 and work your way down the list.