Win10 no longer automatically switching to USB earphones

akfocus · 20 May 2020

After a Win10 update last night, my computer is no longer automatically switching to USB earphones when I plug them in.

As always (way back to Win7), my internal speakers are set as the default device and my earphones are set as the default communications device.

The sound settings show that the earphones are being recognized, and the only way I now am able to get them to work is to change the settings so they are the main default device.

Hoping someone can help me fix this (and that it isn't a new Windows bug I have to wait to be fixed).

Win10 no longer automatically switching to USB earphones-image1.png

dalchina · 20 May 2020

Hi, which Windows update please?

What happens if you uninstall the update?

What is your Windows build (the forum prompted you to specify this when you wrote your post so we don't have to ask)?

akfocus · 20 May 2020

The build is 1909: 18363.836

I don't know how to back-out a Windows update.

dalchina · 20 May 2020

Thank you for your reply.

Google can help - ask the question:

Win10 no longer automatically switching to USB earphones-2.png

And there's still this:

Win10 no longer automatically switching to USB earphones-1.png

erpster4 · 20 May 2020

after uninstalling or rolling back a windows update, OP will need to use wushowhide.diagcab from MS support article 3073930 or 3183922 to hide/block the problematic update or else that update will be re-installed again after the uninstall

dalchina · 20 May 2020

True- for test purposes best to disconnect internet and uninstall the update(s).

To hide thereafter perhaps easier to use e.g.
WUMgr (Windows Update Manager) - scans for updates, check box to hide selected updates). Free.

akfocus · 21 May 2020

I just now uninstalled the two latest updates (of today and May 17). That didn't fix the problem.

I then discovered that if I set the earphones as the default device, when I unplug them the internal speakers become the default, and when I plug the earphones back in, they become the default. Updates are now reinstalled, and this behavior continues (which is OK, now that I know what it is doing).

This is contrary to the settings (image above) that I had been using, and which had been performing perfectly. I'm really puzzled why the behavior changed overnight a few days ago just when I had done a Windows update. I suspect that something got changed in the Registry, and remained that way during the uninstalls.

Thanks to both of you for your help.