Using VB-audio cable, now default speaker (realtek) options gone

Question

I used VB-audio cable just to play games and now my option to switch to default speaker is gone and i can't hear anything from the VB cable. This happened to me last year and stuck on auto repair system and I had to factory reset it but i don't want to factory reset my computer again so is there any way to help me.

Thank,you

Answer 1

Your screenshot indicates the HD Audio drivers that should be installed on your PC are no longer installed.

The best option is to uninstall the VB-audio cable drivers, then go to the support page for your PC on the manufacturers website to download and manually install the version of HD Audio drivers and Graphics drivers they provide.

If you have any difficulty locating that support page, click your Start Button, then just type msinfo and press Enter, please provide a screenshot of the resulting System Information window.

Answer 2

Follow these steps on Windows 11 to get the Realtek speakers back and make them the default instead of VB‑Audio Cable:

1. Check that the Realtek device isn’t hidden or disabled
   1. Right‑click the speaker icon in the taskbar and choose Sound settings.
   2. Under Output, see if the Realtek speakers appear. If they do, select them; that also sets them as the default output device.
   3. If they do not appear, scroll down and open More sound settings → Playback tab.
   4. In the blank area, right‑click and make sure Show Disabled Devices and Show Disconnected Devices are checked.
   5. If “Speakers (Realtek …)” shows up as disabled, right‑click it → Enable, then right‑click again → Set as Default Device.
2. Turn off audio enhancements (if Realtek appears but has issues)
   1. In More sound settings → Playback, right‑click the Realtek Speakers → Properties.
   2. On the Enhancements tab, select Disable all enhancements (or Disable all sound effects) and click OK, then test audio.
3. Update or reinstall the Realtek audio driver
   If Realtek still does not appear:
   1. Press Win + X → Device Manager.
   2. Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
   3. If a Realtek device is listed, right‑click it → Uninstall device, check Delete the driver software for this device, and click Uninstall.
   4. Restart the PC; Windows will attempt to reinstall a working audio driver automatically.
   5. After restart, go back to Sound settings and set the Realtek speakers as the default output device.
4. Set the correct default device after VB‑Cable use
   Once Realtek is visible again, keep VB‑Audio Cable installed only if needed, but make sure:
   • In Sound settings → Output, the Realtek speakers are selected, not CABLE Input (VB‑Audio Virtual Cable).
   • In any apps that were pointed at VB‑Cable, switch their output back to the default or directly to the Realtek device.

These steps restore hidden/disabled devices, remove problematic drivers, and ensure the Realtek speakers are the default output so audio no longer gets stuck on the virtual cable.

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References:

• Fix sound or audio problems in Windows
• No audio with Windows 11 - Microsoft Q&A
• How to fix this. no audio device is installed - Microsoft Q&A
• cannot increase volume even if trouble shooter updates it - Microsoft Q&A