5.1 side speakers require re-plug every boot.

[r315r4z0r]

I have an issue with my 5.1 surround sound for my PC.

So, first of all, I know that 5.1 sound contains Two front speakers, a center, a sub and 2 side speakers (not rear). My issue is twofold, but one problem isn't a big deal.

Every time I boot up my computer, the side speakers for my setup don't work. In order for me to get them to work, I have to unplug the jack from the back of my PC and replug it in. Every time. This is a pain because it's a small space. The weird thing, though, is that even though they are "side" speakers, in order for any sound to be heard, I have to plug it into the "rear" jack on my motherboard. (this is the minor issue I mentioned.) If I plug it into the "side" jack, I get no sound (in both 5.1 and 7.1 mode).


Anyway, the side/rear thing isn't very important, as far as I'm concerned. The main issue is the fact that I have to replug the cable every time I boot up.

I use the latest Realtek drivers. And I've reinstalled them on two different occasions. The problem persists.

I use the integrated sound on my ASUS Sabertooth Z87 motherboard.
My speaker system is the Logitech Z906 5.1 sound system and they are connected via three 3.5mm audio jacks (front, side/"rear", center/sub.)

It's also important to note that this issue hasn't always been a problem, though I can't recall any hardware/software alterations that directly correspond to the start of the problem.

I've looked around online for solutions to similar issues, but no one seems to have the same symptoms as I do.

I'd appreciate any help you can give.

 

[helpstar]

disable the jack sense/ jack detection in the realtek audio manager

update the BIOS of your motherboard inside bios, don´t flash in windows!

Rethink your 5.1 setup, it´s typically like: Two front speakers, a center, a sub/center and 2 rear speakers (not side)
in the manual of your motherboard you will see this as well.

Just if you would choose a 7.1 setup, side speakers (gray) would be enabled

colors:
blue: line in
lime: front
pink: mic in
orange: sub/center
black rear
gray: side

 

[r315r4z0r]

disable the jack sense/ jack detection in the realtek audio manager

I don't have the option to do this in my realtek audio manager.

update the BIOS of your motherboard inside bios, don´t flash in windows!

I did this at your suggestion. Problem persists.

Rethink your 5.1 setup, it´s typically like: Two front speakers, a center, a sub/center and 2 rear speakers (not side)
in the manual of your motherboard you will see this as well.

That can't possibly be right. A few years back when I first started using a 5.1 setup, I was under the assumption it was 2 front, 2 rear and center/sub. But after a long hassle of not getting it to work and much research online, I learned that the standard for 5.1 was 2 side speakers, not to rear. I'd very much prefer them to be rear, though.

I read that on many different sites, and a lot of people posted that as clarifications/solutions to similar problems people were having with 5.1 setups trying to use rear speakers. Plus, realtek doesn't even allow me to enable rear speakers if I have 5.1 enabled.

And, on top of all that, it was working perfectly fine once I started using them as sides.

Just if you would choose a 7.1 setup, side speakers (gray) would be enabled

Like I said in my original message, I would enable 7.1 mode so I could test all of the speaker jack outputs. But doing so yielded no sound.

Regardless, I do have an update:
Going through the tips you provided, namely the first one about disabling jack sense, even though I did not find that particular option, after making any sort of adjustment in the options of the audio manager, it causes the audio setup to reload. After it reloads, the rear speakers work correctly. This means that instead of having to replug the jack, all I have to do is do some option toggling to get the audio to reload now. Much easier to do... though it is still inconvenient.

But, it does now eliminate the motherboard as being the problem. It's a software issue lying somewhere within realtek that simply doesn't properly register the rear speaker connection upon starting up the PC. But, seeing as I've already attempted to reinstall the drivers twice... I'm still at a loss.

 

[helpstar]

well, the motherboard´s manual is clear when it comes to the speaker setup. That´s the standard given from realtek, but eventually could be programmed to as other outputs. But I don´t know how this would be realized without having these option in the audio manager.

Try this for the jack sensing, might be looking a bit different, but should have equal settings to adjust:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCQOTBXFznw

uninstall the realtek driver
disable windows to update device drivers itself

install the latest driver from realtek.com
http://www.realtek.com/downloads/downloadsCheck.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=24&PFid=24&Level=4&Conn=3&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false#High%20Definition%20Audio%20Codecs