no sound after removing earphones from front plug

[nubc]

I had to listen to music videos quietly, so I plugged earphones into a front panel jack, without unplugging the satellite speakers from the onboard audio jack in the back of the computer. I removed the earphones from the front panel jack, but now there is no sound coming out of the speakers connected in back. I have tried rebooting, and reconfiguring ALSA + reboot, with no joy. I plugged the satellite speakers into the front panel earplug jack, and sound is good here. Any idea what has happened?

EDIT: I replaced the plug to satellite speakers into the back-side jack, and voila, sound worked. No idear why. Did I fix it, or did it fix itself?

[ETP]

I had to listen to music videos quietly, so I plugged earphones into a front panel jack, without unplugging the satellite speakers from the onboard audio jack in the back of the computer. I removed the earphones from the front panel jack, but now there is no sound coming out of the speakers connected in back. I have tried rebooting, and reconfiguring ALSA + reboot, with no joy. I plugged the satellite speakers into the front panel earplug jack, and sound is good here. Any idea what has happened?

EDIT: I replaced the plug to satellite speakers into the back-side jack, and voila, sound worked. No idear why. Did I fix it, or did it fix itself?

If the box is old and/or the front jack socket has seen a lot of action the spring contacts within it
(which disconnect the rear socket when headphones are inserted) may have become a bit weak or corroded.

Whether they reconnect or not when you unplug the phones could be a bit hit and miss. This may explain your symptoms.