Windows 7 soundcard problems

[ejv]

A novice and first post.Please be gentle.
My laptop gets muted when I play Youtube, as the audio gets diverted to HD Realtek , instead of the default "speakers".Though the Realtek's LED shows,no sound comes out the speakers.This knocks off my Windows Media Player as well.Often, I could fix it by switching back the default device to speakers,using the "Set Default" button shown in the attached image.Recently, this doesn't work and I have to restart the computer to fix it.
Could someone help in fixing it for good?
Thanks in advance

 

[Saurabh A]

Hi ejv,

The 'audio drivers' may need to be updated. Please check 'Device Manager' to see if any 'yellow mark / question mark' is visible besides any item listed on the page. If yes, please share its details. Also expand the category: 'Sound, Video & Game Controllers'; and share the details of 'audio device' installed in the computer; will try to look for apt drivers, if needed.

In the mean while, you may run the following Microsoft Fixit to see if that helps: Automatically diagnose and fix Windows audio playback problems

Hope this helps. Do reply with the findings.

 

[ejv]

Thank you.Screenshot attached.ran "FIXIT".No problems found.

 

[AddRAM]

Welcome to the Forums

We can`t do anything without knowing exactly what model your pc is.

Do you have an HDMI out ?

 

[ejv]

ACER Aspire 4820T.
i3-350M Processor. 2.26 GHz,3 MB, L3 cache.3 GB DDR3 memory.Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit.
Has HDMI output.

 

[Saurabh A]

Hi ejv,

You may try the following steps to see if they help:
1. Uninstall the 'Intel Display Audio & Realtek HD Audio' from 'Device Manager' > Follow through with the uninstall to finish > Restart the unit
2. Try updating the 'Realtek audio drivers': Acer Support: Downloads & Support Documents - Notebook, Ultrabook / Aspire / Aspire 4820T
(Select the recent-most audio driver available)

Hope this helps.

 

[ejv]

Thanks Saurabh.
Just a query( as I'm not a computer buff), should I reinstall the Realtek software, before I upate the driver?Or does the driver include the software as well

 

[Saurabh A]

Hi ejv,

You may uninstall 'Sound drivers' from the 'Device Manager'. Installing the 'Audio driver' is likely to update the 'software/application' along with the drivers. I have limited knowledge about this product; as using an 'OEM', you may want to double-check the information with the 'computer manufacturer' also.

 

[ejv]

Thank you all.
I downloaded the audio driver zip folder from Acer and ran the .exe file which updated my existing software and apparently has fixed the problem.
I was bit wary to uninstall the software altogether and start from the scratch.
Thanks again.Much appreciated

 

[Saurabh A]

Hi ejv,

The 'software utility' is generally listed along with the 'driver download' for any specific device.
Glad that the issue is fixed. Thank you for confirming.