Windows 10: Optical Audio Issues

My desktop has a standard audio jack that I can plug headphones into and use. This has worked completely fine until recently, where now my computer will detect that I have plugged them in swapping the active sound device from my monitor speakers or bluetooth headphones and into optical audio but will not play any sound. I first assumed this was a hardware issue, and that my port had become damaged and no longer worked.


However, while using the windows audio troubleshooter, a test sound is played. And I can hear this test sound loudly and clearly. It is the only sound I am able to hear from my device using plugged-in audio. I cannot get the test sound to play via the control panel or anywhere else, only by talking to the windows troubleshooting assistant, asking her to play the test sound, and it plays audibly every time.




I am absolutely and completely flabbergasted by what magics allow this specific sound to play through my headphones and no others, but it does at least seem to suggest that this isn't a hardware issue. I'm not aware what systems the playing of this sound goes through, but it evidently avoids or overrides whatever is causing the problem in the process, in a way that playing a test sound in the control panel or any other way does not.


It's not a massive deal as I do have wireless headphones that function perfectly fine, and I have tried reinstalling the associated drivers to no success. I'm stumped. Any thoughts?

:)

 

Optical Drive Issue

Hello Anak –

Appreciate your detailed return. Your added steps really helped.

Assuming I did the steps correctly, this is where I am now.

Screenshot 12 shows my CD Disc shortcut on my desktop.
Screenshot 10 shows the CD Drive shortcut listed in the “Send to” listing.
Screenshot 11 shows the “Send to” listing after the steps were taken, but the CD drive name is not listed.

So, it appears the steps did not work for me. And, I did try the steps, “If it still won’t do ……” and still no luck.

What do you think?

JerryA

 

Optical Drive Issue

Hello Steve –
Again, my thanks for supplying detailed pictures and steps. They really help.
The following are screenshots of where I am.
Screenshot 23 shows confirmation my Registry was changed.
Screenshot 24 shows the list of “Send to” names including the CD shortcut.
Screenshot 25 shows the “Send to” list, but the CD name is still not listed.

Jerry

 

Optical Drive Issue

Hi Jerry, you're welcome.

Here's mine after I rt clk'd on my Documents Folder like you show in Scrsht 11:




I'd like to wait until you reply to my question in Scrsht 12, if it is a remnant of the process try deleting the one on the dsktp and see if the one in send to also disappears. If it stays in send to, test it, and if you're still having problems I'd suggest you could go back to: Option One: To Add or Remove Items in Send To context menu for Your Account (current user) and do Step 3 to remove it and start over using Step 4 but be very careful of your steps in creating the shortcut and be sure you d&d that shortcut to the send to part of the address.

I'm busy today and I probably won't be back until the evening.