Solved Speakers not working, despite headphones being unplugged.

[hbenthow]

Whenever I turn on my computer speakers (an ordinary pair of cheap speakers that that connects to a regular audio jack in the back on my computer and is powered via a USB port) and play any media containing audio on my computer, no sound comes out of them. It doesn't matter whether or not the headphones (which plug into a speaker jack in the front of my computer) are unplugged or not. This is a new problem that I noticed for the first time yesterday.

I went to the Sound settings in my Control Panel, and selected the "Test" option for my speakers several times. The speakers clearly worked each and every time. But they still wouldn't work when I played media. I then set the speakers as my default audio device, and then they started working perfectly when I played media. But then my headphones wouldn't work, even when I turned the speakers off. They worked when I used the Test option, but no other audio would play through them.

So apparently, either my headphones or my speakers will work, depending on which one I set as my default audio device. But whichever one is not set as default will not work (except for the sounds generated by the Test option).

Does anyone know what causes this problem and how to fix it?

 

[fireberd]

Has this ever worked properly? or is this a problem that recently happened?

Please post a screen shot of the Sound Playback Panel and the Device Manager, Sound section.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hum firebird am wondering if the phones cut out switch is stuck??

 

[hbenthow]

Has this ever worked properly? or is this a problem that recently happened.

I specified in my original post that it is a new problem that I first noticed the day before I made the post. I'm not sure exactly how long I've had this problem, but everything worked correctly at least up until a few weeks ago (the last time I had previously used the speakers).

Please post a screen shot of the Sound Playback Panel and the Device Manager, Sound section.

In the second screenshot I am posting, the item that I have highlighted is the icon for the speakers in question.

Hum firebird am wondering if the phones cut out switch is stuck??

Interesting idea. I have been wondering if it might be a problem with the headhone jack. Every now and then, I accidentally jerk the headhone cord (I have a long extension cord connected to my headhones, and sometimes one of my feet gets tangled in it), and I have wondered if that might have damaged the earphone jack in some way.

 

[fireberd]

The first thing that sticks out is you only have "High Definition Audio Device" which in most cases (actually all that I've seen) is only the generic, basic function, Windows installed Sound Driver. It is not the correct sound driver for the sound chip you have, which could be RealTek, Conexent, etc. You haven't listed the actual HP model number so I can't check to see what the device actually is. But, go to HP and download the correct sound driver, as the first step. The correct sound driver may even fix the problem.

What is the "WsAudio Devices"?

 

[hbenthow]

The first thing that sticks out is you only have "High Definition Audio Device" which in most cases (actually all that I've seen) is only the generic, basic function, Windows installed Sound Driver. It is not the correct sound driver for the sound chip you have, which could be RealTek, Conexent, etc. You haven't listed the actual HP model number so I can't check to see what the device actually is. But, go to HP and download the correct sound driver, as the first step. The correct sound driver may even fix the problem.

I found the page for my computer's drivers* and downloaded and installed the audio drivers (Realtek). Now, everything works correctly, although my headphones are now listed as generic "speakers". Whenever I unplug the headphones, the same "Speakers" icon switches to representing the speakers. This is to say, if I run the test option on that particular "Speakers" icon while my headphones are plugged in, the test sound plays through my headphones. If I unplug my headphone and turn on my speakers, then run the test option on the same icon, the test sound plays through the speakers. I have included a photo in this post with the icon in question highlighted.

Whether this is normal or not, I don't know. But at least now both the speakers and the headphones work correctly, both with the test option and when playing media.

* Drivers and Software forHP Compaq 6005 Pro Microtower PC

What is the "WsAudio Devices"?

I have no idea. The only audio devices I have connected to my computer are the headphones and the speakers.

 

[fireberd]

I found out what the WSAudio is, "Wondershare" streaming audio audio recorder. You apparently have that software installed. That is probably not needed since you now have the RealTek installed. You should have the "Stereo Mix" available (the Wondershare is used if no Stereo Mix).

Go to the Control Panel/Hardware and Sound and finally the Sound Panel, Recording Tab. If Stereo Mix is listed, enable it and make it the default recording device. If it is not listed, RIGHT click in a blank area in that Panel and then click to show "Disabled" and "Disconnected" devices. Stereo Mix should now be shown and you can enable it and make it the default recording device.

If the Stereo Mix was successful, uninstall the Wondershare as it is not needed.

The same way with the "Audials Sound Capturing", it is not needed with the Stereo Mix.

Those two programs could be causing some of your problems.

With the Stereo Mix, you can record streaming audio from the internet or from any device (e.g. line in or mic) that is connected and used. You don't need the extra software.

 

[hbenthow]

I found out what the WSAudio is, "Wondershare" streaming audio audio recorder. You apparently have that software installed. That is probably not needed since you now have the RealTek installed. You should have the "Stereo Mix" available (the Wondershare is used if no Stereo Mix).

That's peculiar. The only Wondershare software that I installed (intentionally, anyhow) is Wondershare DVD Creator. I searched my installed programs list, program folders, etc, and can't find any other Wondershare software on my computer.

Go to the Control Panel/Hardware and Sound and finally the Sound Panel, Recording Tab. If Stereo Mix is listed, enable it and make it the default recording device. If it is not listed, RIGHT click in a blank area in that Panel and then click to show "Disabled" and "Disconnected" devices. Stereo Mix should now be shown and you can enable it and make it the default recording device.

I have now set Stereo Mix as the default recording device.

If the Stereo Mix was successful, uninstall the Wondershare as it is not needed.

I can't uninstall the Wondershare streaming audio recorder, as I can't find it installed anywhere. Should I disable all of the "WsAudio_Device" instances in the Sound Panel?

The same way with the "Audials Sound Capturing", it is not needed with the Stereo Mix.

Is it necessary to disable it? It's there so I can record audio directly through Audials (an audio program I installed), which is an option I like to have.

With the Stereo Mix, you can record streaming audio from the internet or from any device (e.g. line in or mic) that is connected and used. You don't need the extra software.

How? I can't find a recording option anywhere in the Realtek HD Audio Manager.

 

[fireberd]

If you would have had RealTek and the Stereo Mix at the beginning, except for a recording program (many use the free Audacity) there was no need for anything else.

RealTek does not have a recording program, as its not a recording program. Its the driver and support software for the sound chip.

There are many DVD recording programs, some free, that do not add extra "bloatware". CDBurnerXP and Imgburn are two that come to mind.

I have a recording studio, but I use commercial recording software (Sonar X3) and a recording interface unit, not the PC's sound card.

 

[hbenthow]

If you would have had RealTek and the Stereo Mix at the beginning, except for a recording program (many use the free Audacity) there was no need for anything else.

RealTek does not have a recording program, as its not a recording program. Its the driver and support software for the sound chip.

Ah, I see. Your wording had me confused. I thought that you were saying that I could record with Realtek alone. I have used Audacity in the past, but not recently.

There are many DVD recording programs, some free, that do not add extra "bloatware". CDBurnerXP and Imgburn are two that come to mind.

Imgburn is the only program that I've used for burning DVDs for years. I've also used only CDBurnerXP for burning CDs for almost as long.

I installed Wondershare DVD Creator because Wondershare gave away the program for free through Giveaway Of The Day a while back, and I thought it might come in handy some day. I've never used it, though. I'm not sure if it is what caused my problem, as I've had it installed for quite a while and the problem only popped up recently.

 

[fireberd]

I get the "Giveaway of the day" e-mails. I've tried some of the programs and have deleted everyone as they either did not work well or I didn't like them. I have Nero (and it works well for my recording studio uses) so I don't need another CD/DVD burning program.

 

[hbenthow]

Everything is still working correctly, so I'm considering the problem solved. Thank you, fireberd, for the advice regarding drivers. That wound up solving the problem.

 

[fireberd]

Glad I could help. Now you can fully use the PC.