Windows 10: Auto sound configuration change from stereo to 7.1

Hello,So I have my PC plugged in to Denon AVR setup to surround sound however have configuarion of 3.1. Whenever I play some games my windows sound configuration change from STEREO to 7.1. I then need to minimize the game and change it to stereo again. I think the question is: how can I make it stop changing automatically from stereo to 7.1 and why does it change at all? My AVR knows I have 3.1 system so if it gets 7.1 data I lose a lot of chanels. If it gets stereo data it will be able to work with it and pass it to all of my speakers.

:)

 

Stereo Bluetooth Headphones do not reproduce stereo sound

Bluetooth 4.x headsets (headphones with microphone) have two modes:
1. Stereo headset speakers with NO microphone
2. Mono headset speakers with microphone

I see in the listing for your headphones it shows a microphone. Make sure your the audio is configured correctly so that you have stereo headphone speakers.

With your headphones connected with Bluetooth

Left-click on little speaker (bottom right on desktop)





You should see current speaker for computer
In this example headphones in stereo is selected





If you click on Headphones you will bring up all options





To see more…
Right-click on little speaker (bottom right on desktop)





Select Sounds from list





If you want Stereo Headphones but NO microphone

Select Playback tab
Make sure Headphones is the current playback device





Select Recording tab
Make sure Microphone array (or similar) is the current recording device

 

Windows 10 audio configuration keeps changing from 5.1 to stereo at random

I have configured my sound system in Windows 10 as 5.1, and can hear and test all 5 speakers individually without problems. Then, when I am playing a movie with VLC or working with my Unity application, Windows 10 keeps changing (seemingly randomly) back to Stereo, and often times 5-10 seconds later again back to 5.1, always with a 1-2 second delay (silence) during switching.

I have a Teufel Concept E and Concept 450 speaker system which have onboard sound cards. I have also tried using a Behringer FCA610 and Logilink UA0099 7.1 sound card connected to the sound system via optical cable and also with 3 single 3.5mm cables. Nothing seems to matter, Windows 10 arbitrarily change between stereo and 5.1 mode. I never had this issue with Windows 7.

If I configure the soundcard via Windows control panel (Speaker Setup screen), it often shows as being in Stereo mode, even though I just 5 minutes prior set it to 5.1! Sometimes it works fine for an hour, other times it happens after several minutes. I can't determine any rhyme or reason.

I have also tried using a different PC where nothing sound-related is running except my Unity application, and again the same problem occurs. One PC is Intel i7-8700, the other is an AMD Ryzen 7.

I tried installing Xear audio panel (suggested by Teufel) and changing to 5.1 manually, but this too sometimes resets back to Stereo mode, also seemingly randomly.

How can I lock Windows down to 5.1? Can I run some kind script that runs continuously and sets to 5.1? It is highly frustrating!

 

Good surround sound headset

I know you say you're not that guy, but stepping into the $250+ range really brings a change in build quality that might have you never having to buy another set. Otherwise, getting 6 speakers with decent sound in a headset is hard, and that's what you are asking for, and I have no suggestions, but just a bump up the list. *Stick Out Tongue