plug in speakers not working even got new speakers USB powered

Anonymous
2025-08-12T00:38:35.7633333+00:00

I have some external speakers that I liked plugging in to listen to Pandora. It plugs in by USB for power. It used to work fine, stopped all of a sudden. even got new speakers and they don't work.

I have a LG gram laptop

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Devices and drivers
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Anonymous
2025-08-12T09:34:19.2566667+00:00

Hello Mary McLaren,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A and informed us about the issue. From you description, I believed that the speaker issue could be due to the hardware, please follow the instruction below to tackle this problem:

1. Basic checks:

  • Unplug the USB cable and plug the cable back in
  • Try with another USB port
  • Test the speaker on another device (If available)
  • Check if other USB devices work with the same port on your laptop

2. Set Default Audio:

  • Right-click the speaker icon on the bottom right taskbar > Sound settings > Output > Click on your speaker's name and set to active

3. Run the troubleshooter:

  • Right-click speaker icon on bottom left taskbar > Troubleshoot sound problems > Follow the prompt on screen

4. Check and update driver:

  • Open Device Manager (Windows + X) > Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers > Universal Serial Bus Controllers > Right-click your audio driver > Update driver > Search automatically for drivers
  • In case the update still not working > Right-click on the device > Uninstall device > restart your laptop. Windows will reinstall the driver upon restart.

5. USB Management settings:

  • Open Device Manager > Universal Serial Bus controllers > Right-click and select Properties on every USB Root Hub > Power Management > Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power > Repeat on every USB Root Hubs > OK

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  1. Suranjith Kumara 0 Reputation points
    2025-08-13T02:16:41.2533333+00:00

    If your USB-powered speakers aren’t working on your LG Gram laptop — even after getting new ones — then the issue is probably not the speakers themselves but either the audio output settings, drivers, or USB power supply.

    Here’s a step-by-step checklist to troubleshoot:

    1. Check audio output device selection

    Click the sound icon in your taskbar (bottom right).

    Click the arrow ( ^ ) next to the volume slider and make sure the correct audio device is selected (often listed as the speaker’s brand name or “USB Audio Device”).

    If it’s stuck on the laptop’s internal speakers, manually select the USB device.

    1. Confirm USB power and data connection

    Even though they’re “USB-powered,” some speakers also send audio through USB, while others need a separate 3.5mm headphone jack for sound.

    Check if your speakers have a 3.5mm plug — if so, make sure it’s plugged into the laptop’s headphone jack in addition to the USB power cable.

    Try different USB ports on your laptop (especially the ones on the opposite side).

    If you’re using a USB hub, try plugging directly into the laptop.

    1. Check Windows sound settings

    Press Windows + I → System → Sound.

    Under “Output,” make sure your USB speakers are selected.

    Click Device Properties and make sure the volume is turned up and not muted.

    Under Advanced sound options, ensure the app you’re using (e.g., your browser for Pandora) is set to the correct output device.

    1. Update or reinstall audio drivers

    Press Windows + X → Device Manager.

    Expand Sound, video and game controllers.

    Right-click your USB audio device (or the Realtek/Intel audio device) → Update driver → Search automatically.

    If updating doesn’t help, try Uninstall device and restart your laptop — Windows will reinstall the drivers.

    1. Test with another device

    Plug the USB speakers into another computer or even a phone with a USB adapter to see if they work there.

    If they do, the problem is on your laptop.

    If they don’t, the speakers might need a driver (check manufacturer’s website).

    1. Check LG Gram power settings

    Some LG Gram laptops turn off USB ports to save power.

    Go to Control Panel → Power Options → Change plan settings → Change advanced power settings.

    Under USB settings → USB selective suspend setting, set to Disabled.

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  2. GsN5034 - IA 79,510 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-08-12T12:12:52.32+00:00

    Hello, thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A.

    1. May I please know the make and model of your external speakers connected to your laptop?
    2. Does the audio play through your laptop's internal speakers? Is it working fine?
    3. Could you please go to Device Manager, expand Sound, Video, and Game Controllers, and provide a screenshot?

    If your laptop's internal speakers are also not working, we will need to check your audio drivers.

    If your speakers use a USB cable for power, do they also have a separate 3.5 mm audio cable connected for sound?

    We will be waiting for your reply.

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