844-897-3935Some training candidates using the TypeWell Basic Skills Course software have reported that certain audio prompts or practice files play through their computer speakers instead of their headphones. This can be especially disruptive during the Formal Skill Check and Comprehensive Skill Check, when it’s important to hear every sound clearly and without distraction.
The steps below apply to Windows 11 and Windows 10, and will help ensure that all audio from the training software plays through your headphones. These instructions are intended specifically for candidates using the TypeWell Basic Skills Course on a Windows computer, and may not apply to other apps or operating systems.
If some sounds on your computer play through your headphones but others come from your speakers, please try this:
1. Plug in your headphones before launching the course app.
If the app is already running when you plug in your headphones, Windows may not route all sounds to the correct output device. Close the app, plug in your headphones, then reopen the app to ensure consistent audio routing.
2. Go to Settings > System > Sound.
You can do this by clicking the Start menu and typing “Sound settings,” or by right-clicking the speaker icon in the bottom-right taskbar and selecting “Sound settings.”
3. Under Output, expand the section titled "Choose where to play sound."
Make sure your headphones are selected as the Default Output Device. If you see more than one output listed (e.g., "Speakers (Realtek)" and "Headphones"), choose the one labeled "Headphones" or similar.
4. Scroll down and click Volume Mixer.
Wait until you're actively playing a sound in the course. If 'TypeWell Training' or 'Windows Media Player' appears in the list of apps while audio is playing, make sure each one is set to use your headphones as the output device. This setting may not appear until the sound is actually playing.
You can also right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and choose ‘Open Volume Mixer’ for quick access.
If you don’t see the app listed in the Volume Mixer, try playing the lesson or sound again and then check the mixer while it's playing.
Not Recommended: Another option, of course, is to simply use the speakers. This is only a good workaround if you are able to hear the audio clearly through your speakers.
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