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I have Lenovo V330-15IKB laptop and its headphone jack on the right side that I do not like. On the other hand, there are 2 Type-C USB ports on the left side of the laptop and I would like to use one of these Type-C ports in order to connect my headphone. Is it possible? If so, does it make any sense it the headphone port is connected via a converter from jack to Type-C? There are some suggestions e.g. BIOS settings, installing a driver, etc. (I use Windows 10). Any help would be appreciated.

Here is the images related to my headphone, converter and Windows Audio settings (there is only one option in the settings).

Headphones

Adaptor

Settings

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    It sounds like you want to keep your current headphones which have a 3.5 mm jack plug, so a "usb c headphone dac" would work. Or do you also use a microphone on your headphones?
    – Andrew Morton
    Commented Nov 6, 2020 at 12:32
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    In that case, your search would be for "usb c headphone dac with mic input", as long as there is one TRRS 3.5 mm jack plug on the headset, as opposed to two plugs.
    – Andrew Morton
    Commented Nov 6, 2020 at 12:57
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    Could you add a photo of the plug on the headphones to clarify the situation, please?
    – Andrew Morton
    Commented Nov 6, 2020 at 13:08
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    Are you saying that you have the white part in the photo? If so, have you tried using it?
    – Andrew Morton
    Commented Nov 6, 2020 at 13:24
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    Can you tell us the make and model number of the white adapter?
    – Andrew Morton
    Commented Nov 6, 2020 at 14:00

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If you have an active type-C headset or adaptor, one that has a built in DAC, then it should work just work.

Active headsets should appear as both a pair of stereo headphones and a microphone to your PC. They are effectively a USB sound card with built in speakers and microphone.

From there it is just a matter of switching your audio input and outputs to use the headset. You can do this using the controls in your applications as well as the sound settings available when you left or right click on the volume icon in your taskbar.

The reason I mention active headsets is that there are a few rare headsets that come with phones that can put out analogue audio on the USB-C connector, those headsets may be passive and not have a DAC built in. Recent Samsung phones should come with active headsets that should be good to use with a computer.

Passive adaptors have no electronics that a "normal" USB port will understand and will not work. If you have a passive adaptor then it will work on your phone (if the phone supports it, many newer phones will not) but not a computer.

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  • Thanks a lot for your detailed exğlanations. I have a look at the Windows Audio settings before asking the question, but there is not a related menu for this purpose. So, where should I have a look on my laptop?
    – Jack
    Commented Nov 6, 2020 at 12:50
  • If you left-click the speaker icon you will get a volume slider and the name of the current playback (output) device. You can click that name to select a different device. If you right click and select "Open sound settings" you can choose both the input and output devices. If no new device shows up with your adaptor then chances are you have a passive converter which is useless on anything but your phone.
    – Mokubai ♦
    Commented Nov 6, 2020 at 12:58
  • I added photos and setting screenshot. In this scene I am afraid I have no chance to use type-c port as audio jack :( Any possibility making a BIOS update/setting or installing a software?
    – Jack
    Commented Nov 6, 2020 at 13:18
  • Like I said, if you have an active adaptor then it should work. There are passive adaptors (wire only) and then there are active converters. Buy an active one. I have used one that looks almost the same as your image and it does work but if you have only a passive one then it will not. I got one of these and while cheap it does work.
    – Mokubai ♦
    Commented Nov 6, 2020 at 13:35
  • Yes, the adaptor is passive of course. Is there an active type? Any example pls?
    – Jack
    Commented Nov 6, 2020 at 13:55

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