Windows 7 - No dialogue in videos, just the background music

I've had this issue for a couple of days now. It probably happened when I tried to make a very short backwards jump in VLC (shift + left arrow) and my fingers slipped and I hit something else.

Now, no dialogue in any of the videos, just the background music. Audio options seem okay in VLC, and I also reset the settings completely. No help. Then I discovered it was happening all over the platform (QuickTime did it too).

I googled all over the place with no results. The dialogue comes back at random when I mess with unplugging the audio jack and putting it back in. Sometimes works, sometimes doesn't, sometimes I need to leave the audio jack half way out to hear the dialogue. Sometimes plugging the headphones in the front audio jack helps, sometimes not.

I discovered that the front jack was somehow set to 5.1 surround, but I reset it back to stereo. No help. Usually the issue happens when I open a file. File plays okay, I close it, re-open it, then it may or may not have dialogue.

Other way around too... doesn't play, doesn't, doesn't and then it does. Completely random.

It's frustrating as hell.

Using Windows 7 x64 bit Ultimate with headphones.

Have you tried to restore back to when the dialog was coming through.

yea this sounds like a incorrectly setup speaker issue. If your computer thinks it has a 5.1 audio setup connected to it, it will separate the audio so that you have the correct surround sound experience. If you only have a 2.0 speaker system then you will only hear whatever speaker pair your computer thinks is connected to the output your 2.0 is on.


Go into your audio options (different for each driver) and make sure your speakers are set for the correct style. 2.0 is standard left and right speaker, 2.1 is left and right plus a subwoofer. 5.1 is front left and right, back left and right, sub, and mid.

Nope, I use SyncToy to back up my files, not Windows 7 built in thingie.

I right click the volume button on the tray, click "playback devices". Selecting the "speakers" and clicking "configure", I see that it's set on "stereo", other option being quadrophonic, 5.1 surround and 7.1 surround.

I also have something called "VIA HD Audio Deck" installed which came with the drivers. It offers 2, 4, 6 and 8 channels and various other options that doesn't seem to be connected with the number of speakers. It's set on two channels on that as well.

I haven't had the issue for several hours now. Maybe the "5.1 -> Stereo" thing helped, but needed reboot to become effective? I'll let you know whether the issue returns.

Just happened again. Paused a video, want away from PC for half an hour, coming back, unpause, no dialogue again.

SyncToy is for backing up files. What you need is system restore. Hit the start button and type "System Restore" in the search box and hit the top entry.

But any way to reset the sound system without a system restore?

And what on Earth could be the cause? Would installing a new sound card help? I should have one for spare, but I see no point in pulling the box apart before trying out software solutions.

System Restore bis the easiest option. certainly worth a try and only takes a few minutes. main thing is you cant do any damage with a system restore.

System restore didn't help.

I really think this must be a hardware issue now! I am no expert on this as I never listen to music or watch videos on my PC. I only have bog standard speakers attached and even then only one of them works! I only use them if I need an audio bleep for a new email.
Sounds silly but have you carefully checked the cables, could one of them be making a bad contact perhaps?