How to Connect Speakers or Headphones to Your Dell Computer

Desktop computers have three or more audio connectors at the back (Figure 1) and some desktops also have a headphone and microphone, or a headphone/microphone combo connector on the front panel. Audio connectors on desktops and plugs on the sound card are color-coded to help connect the speaker correctly. On a Dell all-in-one computer, the speaker, headphone, or line-out connector are located at the back or the side of the computer. To learn model-specific information about the location of the audio connectors, see the documentation of your Dell computer.

Most laptops have one headphone/microphone combo connector (Figure 2).

1. Verify that the speakers are powered on.
   NOTE: Depending on the type or model, the speaker may use an AC adapter, USB cable, or batteries to provide power. See the user manual of the device to learn more.
2. Connect the speaker or headphone jack to the 'line-out' or 'speaker-out' (green) connector on the computer.
   NOTE: To learn more about the different type of audio connectors on a desktop computer, see the documentation of your Dell desktop.
3. Set the volume using the volume knob on the external speaker. For headphones, volume control is either through the application (media players like Windows Media Player or VLC, online video players like YouTube, Facebook video players and so on, or communication apps like Skype, Zoom, Discord, and so on) that is being used or the main Windows volume control in the system tray.
4. Set the volume on the computer.
5. Go to the next step to set the default audio playback device in Windows.

Wireless speakers or headphones can be connected to a computer using Bluetooth. Some wireless headphones may come with a pre-paired USB dongle, which can be used to connect to a computer.

1. Turn on the Bluetooth speaker, and make it discoverable. See the user manual of the Bluetooth speaker to learn how to put the Bluetooth device in discoverable mode.
2. Turn on Bluetooth on the computer.
3. Connect and pair the Bluetooth speaker or headphone with the computer.
   NOTE: Some Bluetooth speakers or headphones may require a passcode to connect and pair, see the user manual of the Bluetooth device for device-specific instructions.
    
   NOTE: The Bluetooth speaker or headphone and the computer automatically connect anytime the two devices are in the range of each other when Bluetooth is turned on. The range of Bluetooth signal may vary between different Bluetooth devices.
   • How to Pair Dell Bluetooth Devices in Windows 11, and Windows 10
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the pairing process.
5. Go to the next step to set the default audio playback device in Windows.

Setting the correct playback device is important. This ensures that the sound or audio is available from the correct speaker or headphone. If some devices like Bluetooth speakers or headsets are not listed, verify that the Bluetooth device is paired with the computer.

To change the default sound playback device in Windows 11 or Windows 10.

1. Click Start, and then click Settings (gear icon).
2. Click System.
3. On the left menu, click Sound.
4. Under choose your output device, select the audio device that you want to use.

Setting the correct recording device or microphone is important. This ensures that the sound or audio is available from the correct microphone. If some devices like Bluetooth headsets are not listed, verify that the Bluetooth device is paired with the computer.

To change the default sound recording device in Windows 11 or Windows 10

1. Click Start, and then click Settings (gear icon).
2. Click System.
3. On the left menu, click Sound.
4. Under choose your input device, select the audio device that you want to use as the primary microphone.