Windows 10: Sound Blaster audio output

I have a Dell Computer with Windows 10. Started out with Windows 7 and with automatic updates over the years to Windows 10.

Problem: My sound system is Creative Sound Blaster “Recon3D PCIe.”
After the last Windows update the sound has been unreliable, such as no sound and/or slow response to sound adjustments.

I have been in contact with Windows Technicians over the past several days case #’s 1012490828, 1012534165, and 1012685055; my wait time to speak with a technician 3:10 & 2:30 hours. They have been able to restore the sound 1st reloading a Restore Point and then by reloading Windows 10 to no avail; which took two days by updating the Driver; however, overnight the problem returns.

My efforts have been in a different direction; I contacted Creative Sound Blaster and found they had a software update for Windows 10 SBRP_CD_L13_1_02_.exe. This update replaced the Driver and with a reboot works fine until, again, overnight something changes and the sound fails the computer normally is not shutdown at night.

I hope that you have an update or solution for this problem.

Gene

:)

 

Sound Blaster ZXR no sound through Optical output

Since i updated to Windows 10 1903 from 1809 my Creative Sound Blaster Z X R audio card has issues with sound output through Optical S/PDIF Out jack.

I set this through the Sound Blaster Pro Studio control panel under Cinematic Encoder to Dolby Digital Live to get sound output to my Logitech Z906 Speakers connected to it's optical input.




When i do this i receive this message and it will not allow me to set the encoder setting to either Dolby Digital Live or DTS connect. As far as i can see nothing else is using my audio device.





Never had this issue before this update always worked fine i read about issues with other Sound Blaster Z cards and Dolby Atmos with this update 1903.

Tried reinstalling software and drivers does nothing for it i am using the latest driver software for this card, works fine using 3.5mm jacks and RCA jacks for speakers but not optical anymore. As i am not even able to select this this Encoder in the control panel of Sound Blaster just the message shown and goes back to no Encoder.

 

Sound Blaster ZXR no sound through Optical output

I understand all you explained to me.








My mistake,there is sound coming through all 5.1 speakers through optical hookup when selecting S/PDIF as default but the sound is all the same in each speaker.


Logitech Z906 has 5 inputs, when a stereo source is detected it will make use of the 3 different stereo effects 3D, 4.1 and 2.1 as you call fake surround i forgot to mention this because i have not made use of 2.0 connection in years with these speakers. This is how i am getting sound on all speakers with these speakers. Regardless of the source through optical always that way.


True until Creative makes new drivers software to correct the problems with there DTS and Dolby Digital encoder packs it will not work through optical.

Some Sound Blaster cards are having no sound at all since Windows 1903 update. Maybe Microsoft will solve it first.

 

Sound Blaster ZXR no sound through Optical output

Welcome to Ten Forums !!

I do get sound out of speakers device by utilizing the output 3.5mm jacks and RCA jacks on Creative Sound Blaster ZXR to my Logitech Z906 speakers. Did not think of trying to use the toslink and setting Digital Audio (S/PDIF) out as the default device in the sound properties.




I do get sound this way but still unable to use Dolby Digital Live or DTS Connect and do not get sound through setting speakers as the default device in Sound properties because i am unable set set Dolby Digital Live or DTS under encoders in Creative control panel.

Believe this may be an issue with the Dolby Digital Live pack and DTS Connect pack which get installed with driver software.

Read most of those Reddit issues like ours in my past research, closest i came to others having this problem.
True i feel Creative needs to solve this with updated software and drivers.

Good people here keep checking back with us !!