Also known as an external sound card and stereo sound adapter, a USB sound card is a USB device that gives a computer additional audio jacks. The picture shows an example of a USB sound card with a headphone/speaker jack and microphone jack.

Why would I need a USB sound card?

Below are a few reasons you may need a USB sound card adapter on your desktop or laptop computer.

  • The computer doesn’t have a speaker or microphone jack.
  • Speaker, headphone, or microphone jack is damaged.
  • The computer’s sound card is not working.
  • Need extra sound jacks.

Does a USB sound card need drivers?

No. These external USB sound cards are adapters that change one connection into another and, therefore, don’t require drivers.

Adapter, External, Sound card, Sound terms

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