Windows 7: Realtek HD Audio not recognizing speakers.

Tokkemon · 28 Jul 2012

Hi folks. I'm at my wits end on a problem here. The sound on my computer is not working because the Realtek driver (or the motherboard, not sure which) is not recognizing my speakers that are plugged in. I get this:

I have tried to re-install any and all drivers that may be affected with no success. Tried restarting, messing with the BIOS, to no avail. What should I do now? This is seriously holding up my work (I'm a music composer).

fireberd · 29 Jul 2012

I see the HDMI output is set as Default playback device. Do you have an HDMI cable connected? If you do, disconnect that and then see if you can get your speakers back working.

Beta · 29 Jul 2012

Same issue as what I have posted. If I had to guess he has an Asus MB.

Tokkemon · 29 Jul 2012

I have an HDMI for my second monitor on my graphics card. Taking that out has no change. That HDMI connection is for the port directly on the board anyway.

It's a Dell Motherboard actually. Part of a Studio 540.

fireberd · 29 Jul 2012

With a Dell, you need Dell supplied sound drivers. If you are not using Dell supplied sound drivers, that is the first step - install Dell drivers. I used to do a lot of support on the Dell users forums and non-Dell sound drivers usually do not work or work correctly.

HDMI generally takes priority over the sound card's output and usually the HDMI will set itself as the default audio playback device.

Dell does not support Win 7 on this model, but they do support Vista. Usually, Vista drivers work OK with Windows 7.

Here is the Dell Vista 32/64 bit sound driver: Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United States]

Tokkemon · 29 Jul 2012

Did that. It reset all the playback devices to what they were on the first picture I showed, so no change. It's no longer called a the Realtek HD Audio device though.

There is no HDMI cable plugged in. But the 3.5 jack is, firmly. Plugging it in on the headphones front panel makes no difference.

fireberd · 29 Jul 2012

What is listed in the Device Manager for audio? Also what does the Device Manager Properties for the Audio device list as the Driver provider?

Tokkemon · 29 Jul 2012

Here it is.

Usually one of them is Realtek.

fireberd · 29 Jul 2012

As I suspected, the Dell driver was not installed. The generic Windows installed HD Audio Codec is what is currently installed.

Tokkemon · 29 Jul 2012

I tried it again by removing the sound devices first in the Device Manager and then installing the Realtek driver from the Dell website. Still no change in the problem but the software is fixed now.

So.... right back to square one here.

Is it likely to be a hardware failure?

Windows 7: Realtek HD Audio not recognizing speakers.

Realtek HD Audio not recognizing speakers. problems?