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It seems like my mid 2011 MBA's 3.5mm headphone port has a short. I have to jiggle the headphone plug to get the sound to play properly. Maybe it has a short. Is there by any chance some sort of USB adapter that will allow me to use headphones - either 3.5mm or lightning? Or am I stuck having to use bluetooth? Paying to fix this MBA's jack or getting a newer MBA is not in the budget at this time. Thanks.
I assume you already tried a different headset plug.
There are USB to headphone port adapters, but I have no personal experience with any of them. Everybody wants wireless these days, and you can certainly use the older, original model AirPods. The later model AirPod Pros won't work on your Mac.
I know you are probably fond of the headphones you're using so yes you can purchase an adapter. They're cheap enough; less than $10.
This headset / mic with a conventional plug appears to include an adapter:
Workstream by Monoprice WFH 3.5mm + USB Wired Headphone with Mic Back to Basics Web Meeting Headset
I use something similar but just plug it in to the Mac's USB port.
I assume you already tried a different headset plug.
There are USB to headphone port adapters, but I have no personal experience with any of them. Everybody wants wireless these days, and you can certainly use the older, original model AirPods. The later model AirPod Pros won't work on your Mac.
I know you are probably fond of the headphones you're using so yes you can purchase an adapter. They're cheap enough; less than $10.
This headset / mic with a conventional plug appears to include an adapter:
Workstream by Monoprice WFH 3.5mm + USB Wired Headphone with Mic Back to Basics Web Meeting Headset
I use something similar but just plug it in to the Mac's USB port.
It's a USB Type A connector, and it will work.
I'm not saying you should buy that particular headset, but that one or anything similar to it will work. Or you can buy one of those inexpensive USB adapters, and continue to use your existing headsets with traditional 3.5 mm "round" plugs.
On a side note, I almost wish my mid 2011 MBA would die
You may be in for a long wait 🙂
A newer Mac gives you AirDrop, the ability to unlock it with an Apple Watch, AirPods Pro with spatial audio... a lot of other things that once you have them, you can't live without. Other than those "nice to have" features I can't find anything wrong with High Sierra either.
Thanks for the reply. The link you posted shows a headset that connects to an adapter with what appears to be a micro USB end. I need a regular USB 2 end. I haven't seen such an item online so far, but I will continue to search. If I am unable to find, I guess I will be stuck with going wireless. On a side note, I almost wish my mid 2011 MBA would die so I would have an excuse to get a new/newer one as there are other things I cannot use with it like 'airdrop', and updating the macOS beyond High Sierra, but unfortunately I do not NEED a new MBA.
Yes on my iPhone 11 and my desktop mac I use Airdrop and find it very useful. There are ways around not having it while using my old faithful MBA.
As to my posted problem, doing another search online using more specific wording, and as you pointed out, such adapters do exist and so I was able to find a USB to 3.5mm headphone adapter for just under $10.
Thanks for your help and clarification on the USB 2 being USB type A. That was helpful.
USB 2 to 3.5mm headphone adapter?
