Windows 10: Audio seems to somehow be stereo without being selected/weird sound output

I have seen posts regarding something like this before but it never seems to help my issue, so far I have tried to delete my audio drivers, followed some very in-depth steps that all inevitably end in the same situation, it not being fixed. I have run the troubleshooting software that Microsoft provides, it spits out an error that apparently the "generic audio driver" has malfunctioned in some way, this is after me updating drivers so I know it has to do something with the drivers, but nothing is working to resolve the issue. To try to explain a little more in-depth what I am hearing, or lack of hearing, when playing a game, most sounds are fine and dandy, however, when I get to any audio including voice or anything like that there's no audio, I did a 7.1 test and left and right where only working, its as if it is somehow trying to do surround sound but through regular left-right, I have checked my audio software and Microsofts own audio software, it says I am in stereo mode on both. I have tried for a few days now to figure out this issue and I found most of the decent replies for issues where coming from this site so I hope this issue is not too vague or uncommon to not have a fix for, I have tried to include everything I have done to fix this problem on my own. Note my headset is capable of surround sound, if more clarification is needed please feel free to ask as I am only half sure 7.1 even means surround. lol

:)

 

How to select PCM stereo output for digital audio S/PDIF jack?

I am looking to upgrade the sound from my PC. I wish to bypass the sound card of my computer by plugging in a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) in a USB 2.0 port. I've learned I can stream digital audio that way by selecting my DAC as the default audio output
device. However, the DAC I am considering also can stream data from the digital optical output on my PC to the DAC. A tech rep for the DAC told me to stream music from both the optical output
and the USB port alternatively and see which sounds better. However, for the DAC to utilize the digital optical jack it must be set to pulse-code modulation (PCM) stereo output.

Hence my problem. I see no menu option for selecting PCM stereo output as opposed to DTS or Dolby multi-channel audio in my sound controls for the optical output (in the "Supported Formats" section of the "Digital Audio S/PDIF Properties" menu. (Microsoft
WMA Pro Audio is also offered in that menu, but I don't know what that is or if it changes the digital optical audio output to PCM format.) I would like to utilize the digital optical output from my PC as the DAC rep suggested if at all possible. Please advise.

 

How to select PCM stereo output for digital audio S/PDIF jack?

Hi,

The settings for your audio could be managed in a few ways, like through the Control Panel's default program or the program installed along the sound card drivers. That being said, since what you are using is not the default audio output, we suggest that
you update the sound card driver by checking the manufacturer's website. In the event that what you have already installed is the latest driver for your sound card, we suggest contacting the manufacturer of your sound card to provide you necessary steps on
how to change your audio into PCM.

Let us know if you have other concerns.

 

Stereo mix showing but not showing audio

A potential solution for those who use digital outputs to a separate sound system for your sounds (rather than speakers or headphones), and have tried all the normal suggestions when Stereo Mix shows up on the recording tab, but shows no audio, and programs
such as Audacity won't record a signal.

I use digital optical out from my sound card (Realtek High Definition Audio) to my sound system. There are therefore no speakers connected, and no speakers show in the sound settings. And no audio showing in Stereo Mix.

However, connecting headphones instantly solves the problem - stereo mix shows audio, programs like Audacity can record again (plugging headphones in the headphones jack makes no difference to the digital optical output signal = does not mute it).

I would be really interested to know why Stereo Mix will not show audio if there are no speakers or headphones connected.