Use different speakers or headphones

You can use external speakers or headphones with your computer. Speakers usually either connect using a circular TRS (tip, ring, sleeve) plug or with USB.

If your speakers or headphones have a TRS plug, plug it into the appropriate socket on your computer. Most computers have two sockets: one for microphones and one for speakers. Look for a picture of headphones next to the socket. Speakers or headphones plugged into a TRS socket will usually be used by default. If not, see the instructions below for selecting the default device.

Some computers support multi-channel output for surround sound. This usually uses multiple TRS jacks, which are often color-coded. If you are unsure which plugs go in which sockets, you can test the sound output in the sound settings. Click the sound menu on the top panel then click Sound Settings. On the Hardware tab, select your speakers in the list of devices, then click Test Speakers. In the pop-up window, click the button for each speaker. Each button will speak its position only to the channel corresponding to that speaker.

If you have USB speakers or headphones, or analog headphones plugged into a USB sound card, plug them into any USB port. USB speakers act as separate audio devices, and you may have to specify which speakers to use by default.

Select a default audio input device

  1. Click the sound menu on the top bar and select Sound Settings.

  2. On the Output tab, select the device in the list of devices.

If you don't see your device on the Output tab, check the Hardware tab. Select your device and try different profiles.