Issues with 5.1 Surround Sound with Windows 10

Hi,

Thank you for posting on Microsoft Community Forums.

What is the make and model of the computer?

Which audio driver are you using?

In order to output 5.1 surround sound, the sound card and the audio device (Speakers) must have 5.1 support and not all sound cards are configured to output 5.1 surround signal. Also, as you have mentioned that there could be compatibility issues where the audio drivers may not be fully supported on Windows 10?

If the sound card supports, and is configured to output 5.1 surround signal, please ensure that the computer is set up properly to output the signal.

• Open the Run dialog box by pressing the Windows key and R together.
• Type mmsys.cpl and hit the Enter key to open the Sound control panel.
• Under Playback tab, right click on the audio device (speaker) and select Set default.
• Click on the Configure button to launch the device (speaker) setup window.
• Click the dropdown list under Audio channels and select 5.1 Surround and click Next.
• Check the boxes Center, Subwoofer and Side pair and click Next.
• Click Finish once the configuration completes.

Sometimes, the outdated, missing or corrupted audio drivers can also cause problems in 5.1 surround output. So, I would also suggest to update the audio drivers or uninstall/reinstall the audio driver if it the latest version of the driver is already installed. Please refer to the article below.

Update drivers in Windows 10

You may also try installing the High Definition Audio Device driverand see if that makes any difference. Please refer to the steps for uninstalling and reinstalling drivers under section Fix your audio issues of the link below.

Fix sound problems in Windows 10

Get back to us after following the steps above and let us know how it goes.

We await your response.

Regards,

Peer Samie

Microsoft Community-Moderator

No, I never heard back from Microsoft Support Group but this doesn't surprise me through my past experiences over the last 35 years. I suspect that they won't support a home build computer even though all my components are qualified Microsoft parts and well known.

I did buy a discrete 5.1 sound card and that didn't resolve the problem.  The only thing I have left to try is to buy some new 5.1 surround sound speakers and see if my old speakers were the problem.  Until then I will just have to settle with stereo.

Thanks for asking.

Hello everybody. 

I just met with a problem like you guys had. I could manage with the following steps :

-Open the Realtek sound manager 

-Set into 7.1(even If you have only 5.1)

-Turn the side speakers off. 

I hope i can help with this for somebody. Thank me later :)

Did you ever to a solution for this? because I'm seriously fked off about not only the issue itself, but the lack of ownership and or support... 

does buying a discrete sound card resolve the issue (being the my on-board supports 8ch audio I doubt it)?

Peer,

Thanks for your timely response.  Please see below my computer information that you have requested:

My computer is a home build.

Sound is incorporated in the Motherboard which is a Gigabyte Z390 Gaming X LGA 1151 (300 Series) Intel Z390 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.1 ATX Intel Motherboard with an Intel Core i7-8700K Coffee Lake 6-Core 3.7 Ghz (4.7 Ghz Turbo) LGA 1151 (300 Series) 95W BX80684178700K Desktop Processor Intel UHD Graphics 630

The audio driver is a Realtek® Semiconductor Corp., Realtek High Definition Audio driver, dated 12/4/19, version 6.0.1.8586.  The Digital Signer is Microsoft Windows Hardware Compatibility Publisher version 10.0.17763.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800)

Jack Information is:

L R GreenRear Panel 3.5 mm Jack

RL RR Black Rear Panel 3.5 mm Jack

C Sub Orange Rear Panel 3.5 mm Jack

SL SR Gray Rear Panel 3.5 mm Jack

Speaker Setup is 5.1 Surround and tests properly.

The version of Windows that I am running is:      Edition: Windows 10 Home

Version: 1809

Installed: 5/19/2019

OS build: 17763.557

In addition to providing you with my computer information above I have completed the rest of your suggestions.  My system configuration is set up for 5.1 surround (and it tests properly) so this is not the issue.

I updated 14 drivers using Drive Easy software. Included in this update were:

-AMD High Definition Audio Device

-High Definition Audio Base

-Realtek Audio Effects Component

-Realtek Audio Universal Service

-Realtek Hardware Support

-Realtek High Definition Audio

After all this I am still only getting stereo.  Once again this leads me to believe there is a compatibility issue (Windows 10 problem) as others have suggested. If Microsoft doesn't have a fix then I have options. 1) is to buy a sound card with specific drivers or 2) revert back to Windows 8.

Please advise what your thoughts are at this point.

Greg