USB C Hub stops USB A Headset from working
April 4, 2020 11:27 AM Subscribe
Problems with remote work setup. Details below...
I have a Dell XPS Laptop (with Intel i7-6700HQ CPU @ 2.60GHz), 16 GB RAM, running Windows 10 Pro. Trying to make remote work more productive, I purchased a USB C hub so I could attach two external monitors to my laptop. I also have a Jabra USB A wired headset that I use throughout the day for online meetings and collaboration. I also like to listen to streaming music on it when between calls.
For some reason, both devices work independently, but whenever I plug in the USB C hub, the headset stops working - it doesnt matter if the headset is plugged directly into my laptop, or plugged into the USB C hub, or plugged into a separate USB A powered hub.
It is very inconvenient having to unplug the USB C hub (and lose my external monitors) every time I need to use the headset. Does anyone have any idea why this may be happening? I am hopping it is a setting, but assume that it is probably some kind of incompatibility. It is just strange that the headset works fine when plugged into the laptop or the USB A hub, but as soon as I plug in the USB C hub - even if nothing is plugged in to the hub - the headset goes silent.
If relevant, the laptop power is coming from the power cable to the laptop itself. The USB C Hub is not powered.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I have a Dell XPS Laptop (with Intel i7-6700HQ CPU @ 2.60GHz), 16 GB RAM, running Windows 10 Pro. Trying to make remote work more productive, I purchased a USB C hub so I could attach two external monitors to my laptop. I also have a Jabra USB A wired headset that I use throughout the day for online meetings and collaboration. I also like to listen to streaming music on it when between calls.
For some reason, both devices work independently, but whenever I plug in the USB C hub, the headset stops working - it doesnt matter if the headset is plugged directly into my laptop, or plugged into the USB C hub, or plugged into a separate USB A powered hub.
It is very inconvenient having to unplug the USB C hub (and lose my external monitors) every time I need to use the headset. Does anyone have any idea why this may be happening? I am hopping it is a setting, but assume that it is probably some kind of incompatibility. It is just strange that the headset works fine when plugged into the laptop or the USB A hub, but as soon as I plug in the USB C hub - even if nothing is plugged in to the hub - the headset goes silent.
If relevant, the laptop power is coming from the power cable to the laptop itself. The USB C Hub is not powered.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
If not the hub, does either of the external monitors have built-in audio?
posted by Greg_Ace at 12:42 PM on April 4, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by Greg_Ace at 12:42 PM on April 4, 2020 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Fantastic! Thanks for the suggestions rsclark and Greg_Ace! The USB C hub has a mini-plug for external audio. I opened the Sound setting screen before I plugged in the USB C hub, and it switched from Speakers (Jabra BIZ) to Speakers (USB PnP Audio Device). All I needed to do was switch it back. I NEVER would have found this myself and I had been googling for a few days with no success. I really appreciate the help! Now I can have my video and audio too...
posted by The Architect at 12:57 PM on April 4, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by The Architect at 12:57 PM on April 4, 2020 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by rsclark at 11:57 AM on April 4, 2020 [4 favorites]