Windows 8.1 Speakers not recognized

jon22706

New Member
Messages
46
Hello,

I've been having issues with my External Speakers not being recognized, However when I change my connector settings in Realtek HD Audio Manager to AC97 The speakers are recognized by my computer and when I play videos I can see that the green bars next to my speakers are moving, however I can not hear any audio from them. I've already uninstalled and reinstalled the latest Realtek Drivers.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
I don't have any option to change the type to AC97 in my RealTek Audio Manager and I have three different PC's with RealTek.

AC97 is an interface for the front panel headphone and mic. It is the "old" interface, the new is "HD Audio" and it is just a connector for the front panel. HD Audio also has jack sensing that the AC97 does not have.

Has the speakers you are using ever worked? I assume you are plugging them in to the GREEN speaker jack on the rear.

Please fill in the "My System Spec's". Helps us to try and help you. Without that all we can do is guess.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
The speakers are plugged into the front headphone panel. Without enabling AC97 the computer doesn't even recognize the speakers are plugged in. The Speakers are working I just tried them on my other computer. My system Specs are as follows

GPU AMD Radeon R9 280
CPU AMD Phenom II x4 965
Motherboard Asus M5A97 R2.0
PSU Corsair RM 750
RAM 2x8gb Kingston HyperX
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
How do you enable AC97 in the RealTek HD Manager? I have a desktop with an ASRock motherboard and dual boot Win 7/Win 8.1 and the RealTek manager in both OS' do not have that option. I have a backup desktop (for my recording studio) which is an ASUS motherboard. It is a triple boot with Win 7/Win 8.1/Win 10 and the RealTek HD Manager in those does not have it either. I have a Lenovo Laptop with Win 7 and the RealTek HD Manager in that does not have anything like that either.

The next question, why are you plugging into the Headset jack instead of the correct rear Green speaker Jack?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
To enable AC97 go to Realtek HD Audio Manager and click the wrench in the bottom right hand corner. Also when the speakers were working they were plugged into the headphone jack now I have plugged them into both and they are still not working
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
I don't have the wrench on my RealTek HD Audio Manager.

RealTek HD Manager.JPG
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
My PC Just detected the speakers and there now showing up, However When I go to test them no sound comes out.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
Update. I booted up Win 8.1 on my ASUS desktop and the RealTek HD Manager is a graphic display similar (but not 100%) like yours. I found the front panel selection but it is accessed by a "gear" icon. The graphic RealTek HD Audio Manager on an ASUS is only for the ASUS motherboards and not other systems.

That still does not say why the front panel is or isn't working properly. If the AC97 works then the AC97 connector may have been used for the front panel connections. Many PC Cases have two connectors for the front panel headset/mic connections, the older AC97 and the current technology "HD Audio". You may want to check and see what is being used to connect to the motherboard. If you have the HD Audio connector, try using that and selecting HD Audio in the RealTek Manager.

Check the Default Audio Playback device. The "Speakers" should be set as the default. However, since you are unconventional and using the front panel headphone for the speakers, some systems will show "headset" (or headphones) as the default playback device when a headset (speakers in your case) is connected.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
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