Windows 10: Problems with my rear panel I/O audio

Hey! So, this problem started a few months ago and it's really annoying. Basically, if I play a game that is graphically intense, or a game with a lot of particles, my headphone audio stops working. When I play games like Portal, Portal 2, CS:GO, Fall Guys, House Flipper, Tetris Effect, etc., this problem happens. The only way to play this games and make the audio works is by lowering the graphics, and this is really frustrating because my PC is able to run these games with the graphics at the maximum. When this problem happens, I need to restart the computer or change the output to the monito

:)

 

No audio from rear I/O audio connection in motherboard panel

I am not able to get any signal to the rear audio jacks of my Sabertooth Z97 Mark 1 Mobo, I am running a licensed version of windows 10 pro x64bit. My speakers are the BOSE Companion 50 with the standard 3.5mm jack. I updated the drivers to the latest Realtek
HD Audio drivers but to no avail.

There are 4 audio devices in device manager

2 in "Audio inputs and outputs"

- Realtek digital output (Realtek High Definition Audio)

- Realtek digital output (optical) (Realtek High Definition Audio)

and 2 in "Sound, Video and Game Controllers"

- High Definition audio device

- Realtek High definition audio

AND...when I plug my speakers into the front chassis HD Audio output.... 3.5mm headphone jack...the sound works fine. (this is plugged into the Front Panel Audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP) on the motherboard.) When this is plugged in,

a 'speakers (realtek high definition audio)'

device appears in the "Audio inputs and outputs" in device manger.

When I plug the speakers into the rear mobo I/O Audio connection, there is recognition from the Asus Realtek HD Audio software that something has been connected, but no sound is output through them at all. I have changed the playback devices to both realtek
audio and realtek audio (optical), from what I understand, the 'Optical' is the optical output from my motherboard that is labelled SPDIF out on the rear panel? Is that right?

I just don't know what else to try.

Its worth mentioning I only built this PC last weekend and so have never had any audio signal from the rear of this motherboard.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Rear audio ports always show as “Not plugged in”


I've been having this issue with Windows for about a week now which NONE of the back panel/front panel connectors (speakers, microphone) are being recognized by Realtek audio manager. The only audio input/outputs that are showing are the optical.
Troubling shooting steps I've tried (none worked):

• COMPLETELY uninstall all Realtek drivers/reinstall
  
• Tried using windows drivers
  
• Reinstall Windows 10
  
• Upgraded chipset driver
  
• sfc /scannow

I called EVGA and asked for RMA but then I booted into a Ubuntu OS and all the ports work FINE. It must be a problem with windows 10.
Can you think of any other troubling shooting step I can try to fix this annoying issue? Thanks!
Screenshot of playback devices:



Screenshot of Realtek HD Audio Manager:



After looking in Device Manager under Audio inputs and outputs, I don't see any speaker/microphone listings, only the optical crap:

 

No audio from rear I/O audio connection in motherboard panel

Hi Steadty,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

We would be glad to help you with the issue you are facing today. I understand the difficulty with the problem.

However, I would suggest you to run the Hardware Troubleshooter that might help us diagnose the issue better.

• Press Windows key +X, select Control panel
• Change the view by option on the top right to Large icons
• Click on troubleshooting and click on the view all option on the left panel.
• Run the Hardware and devices troubleshooter.
• Follow the on screen instructions.

Also try to enable & disable the Realtek high definition audio & check if the issue persists.



Hope this helps in resolving the issue. If the issue persists, do get back to us. We will be happy to assist you.

Thank you.