Windows 10: Issues with Realtek HW Audio Codec - No sound.

This afternoon I booted up my laptop, started up a game, then connected the laptop to a second monitor, upon which it switched the sound output to the second monitor rather than keep the output as the laptop speakers. The sound doesn't work on the second monitor, so I tried to switch it back. No dice. Ran a troubleshoot, still couldn't get sound. It suggested to reinstall the drivers and restart. Okay, fine. I unplug the HDMI to the second monitor to ensure that it doesn't try to switch audio output again, then restart.



Now it's completely f'd. Red x on the audio icon on the toolbar. Says that no audio output device is installed. The sound works if I use Bluetooth, but headphones don't work.



The driver in question is the Realtek HW Audio Codek v 6.4.10041.133, and has an error code 10 this device cannot start. I've tried reinstalling the driver, disabling/enabling, running a troubleshoot which can't find the issue. Looked on the Realtek website to see if I could find the driver there, but could only find a Realtek HD Audio Codek, not HW. Not sure what the difference is, or if there is any, so I didn't try to install it. My computer is fully updated, so no new Windows updates to install.



It's of note that this issue has happened to me before, and last time I was able to fix it just by meddling around for hours. From what I remember, I had noticed that a .inf file had been relocated somewhere in C:\Program Files\Realtek\Audio, though it was supposed to be within C:\Program Files x86\Realtek\Audio\Drivers. Since I discovered the fix by accident, my memory is fuzzy on the exact details, but I THINK those were the locations, though I can't be sure. The file was certainly a .inf file, that I am certain of. This time around, I didn't notice anything that seemed out of the ordinary, so I haven't a clue how to proceed.



It's also noteworthy that these issues both occurred when trying to boot up a video game. So I'm not so sure it has anything to do with the monitor.





Image of Device Manager and driver properties/error code: https://imgur.com/a/8HaxGdX

Operating system: Windows 10

Model: HP Spectre 13-4101dx x360

RAM: 8gb

CPU: IntelR CoreTM i7-5500U CPU @ 2.40GHz

GPU: IntelR HD Graphics 5500

:)

 

Sound suddenly stopped working

I've uninstalled the Realtek HW Audio Codec Driver (as suggested)

Went onto Realtek website to reinstall the HW Audio Codec Driver but the website simply returns to a home page with no update or installation

Checked Windows troubleshooter - indicates a jack is unplugged?!

 

Realtek Audio Codecs Not Rendering True EAX

Todays DailyTech top story says that Realtek Audio Codecs do not render true EAX, at least Analog Devices and Creative Labs claim that. Analog Devices and Creative Labs have made claims that Realtek’s high definition audio solutions do not render EAX or EAX2 audio - at least not very well. While Realtek’s audio drivers have the proper driver flags to enable EAX and EAX2 in supported games, the listening experience presents a different story. Listening tests demonstrated by Analog Devices and Creative Labs show that Realtek’s high definition audio solutions render EAX and EAX2 incorrectly, removing the 3D positional audio aspects and immersion of EAX and EAX2 completely. There’s also an issue with some motherboard reviews that use Rightmark 3D Sound for CPU utilization tests and award the onboard audio solution with the lowest utilization the superior solution when the onboard audio solution isn’t fully rendering EAX/EAX2 audio. Analog Devices and Creative Labs testing show the Realtek high definition onboard audio showing very little CPU utilization in Rightmark 3D Sound’s EAX2 CPU utilization test because it’s not applying any EAX2 effects. Currently Realtek is the only known high definition codec manufacturer to render EAX and EAX2 incorrectly as IDT/Sigmatel does not support EAX or EAX2. It is unknown if previous C-Media audio solutions produced before it was acquired by Realtek produce similar results. Analog Devices and Creative Labs made no mention if add-in sound cards such as the recent Dolby Digital Live equipped C-Media CMI8768+ or CMI8778 are affected. Various manufacturers including ASUS, Universal abit, DFI, Gigabyte, MSI and others use Realtek audio solutions.

Source: DailyTech

 

Sound problem

Hi,

We need to investigate further so that we can identify the cause of the issue. We suggest running the Troubleshooter and see if it helps. Follow the steps below:

• Type and select Troubleshooting on the Search bar/Cortana.
• Click Hardware and Sound.
• Select Playing Audio under Sound.
• Follow the steps that will be provided.

If the steps does not work. We suggest downloading a fresh copy of the audio driver from Realtek and see if it helps.

Looking forward to your response.