Article Number: 000125795
External speakers or headphones that are connected to a computer improves the audio quality while enjoying web content, digital music, and other sound sources.
Connecting the speakers or headphones correctly and setting the correct audio playback device in Windows sound settings are important. Speakers or headphones for computers come in two variants:
Expand the sections below for detailed information.
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 laptop computers have one headphone/microphone combo connector (Figure 2).
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.
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.
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.
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The headphone/microphone combo connector is often seen on laptops and on the front panel of desktop computers. This type of connector supports either a headphone, earphone, or a headset with a built-in microphone. The headphone/microphone combo connector is a standard 3.5mm audio connector.
On desktop computers, the audio ports on the back panel of the computer are color-coded for easy reference. The color-code may vary between different models. See the User Manual of your Dell computer to learn more about what each color-coded audio port supports.
Certain monitors have built-in speakers. Such monitors support audio transmission over the standard HDMI or DisplayPort connection that supports both audio and video.
To set up the sound bar on a Dell monitor, see the documentation of your Dell monitor or the sound bar for detailed information.
To set up a non-Dell or third-party sound bar, see the user guide of the device on the device manufacturer's website.
To ensure that the microphone works correctly, set the correct audio recording device in Windows 11 or Windows 10.
27 Nov 2023
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