How to redirect sound to USB headset when plugged in?

How to redirect sound to USB headset when plugged in? I often have to switch between audio output from my speakers and my headset (P5Q mobo with integrated sound and Microsoft headset). I've already got it so that when my headset is plugged in, sound will be played through it, and if it isn't, sound will play through my speakers.
Asked by: Guest \| Views: 215

Total answers/comments: 5

Comments display order:

bert [Entry]

"This depends completely on both the application and sound card.

Generally speaking, applications can ""request"" sound on a certain device, (and give you the option to change devices).

Games on the other hand requests sound when they start running (through DirectX) and then keep playing through it. In some games you can restart the sound system by changing sound settings in-game, such as if the game offers 3d sound, or any sort of ""advanced"" effect, however generally speaking, volume alone does not do this.

The best alternative that is guaranteed to work is to get a speaker with a headset port as the moment you plug in a headset, the speakers will output to it. Unfortunately for you, I have never seen one with a USB headset socket."

bert [Entry]

"I have a USB PLantronics headset and I have to make sure it's chosen as the default playback device before starting any games. Like this:

Right click the speaker icon in the tray. Choose Playback Devices. Click the headset and then click the Set as Default button.

After that games will normally use the default playback device."

bert [Entry]

"In Windows 7, if you want to temporarily route sounds to a USB headset, without setting it as the default.

right click Volume taskbar icon
select Playback devices
disable the main pc speakers

It will immediately route all sounds to the USB headset without having to restart any applications.

To revert, simply enable the main pc speakers."
"In Windows 7, if you want to temporarily route sounds to a USB headset, without setting it as the default.

right click Volume taskbar icon
select Playback devices
disable the main pc speakers

It will immediately route all sounds to the USB headset without having to restart any applications.

To revert, simply enable the main pc speakers."

bert [Entry]

"To make your headset give sound, it is actually pretty easy. I have a USB headset, and so do you. Right Click on the volume icon

Make sure THE SPEAKERS have the default device. Cancel all of that out, then unplug your headset and wait about 30 seconds. Plug back in, and when you go back to that first page, your headset should be the new default device. :) Your welcome."

bert [Entry]

"Skip to steps for TLDR.
Sounds weird, but I right clicked the sounds icon, clicked on playback devices and set the default as speaker. Even though a speaker icon and a headphone icon popped up, setting the speaker as my headphones was the only way to make it work.

Right click sound button
Click playback devices
Right click the speaker and click to make default"