New
#1
Audio volume very low after installing Realtek driver
Earlier today, Windows Update prompted me to install two items: KB3035583 (recommended) and "Realtek Semiconductor Corp. - Audio Device, Other hardware - Realtek High Definition Audio" (optional). I installed both items.
After rebooting, the audio coming from my speakers could barely be heard. Changing the Windows 7 speaker icon (on the taskbar) to 100% didn't help much. The Volume Mixer applet lists the speaker icon and application icons at 100%. The Sound applet lists the speakers properties' levels at 100%. My speakers are set at their normal level; i.e., unchanged. I notice a red speaker icon on the taskbar which wasn't there before; presumably, the Realtek installation added this.
Any suggestions on how to proceed? I'm not sure if there was any Realtek software present on my system beforehand--so I'm not sure if this software is new (to my PC) or an update. The detail dialog box for the Realtek software says it was released in December 2014; this is the first I've seen it.