Question 5.1 Surround Sound Issues with Windows 11

[TrecaaBade]

Hi, I am messaging on behalf of a friend who has just bought a custom PC. everything is working correctly apart from a sound feature that seemed to be available in Windows 10 but I cannot find for him on Windows 11. Let me explain the problem:

He has a creative surround 5.1 which plugs into the sound card using 3 jacks for Front Rear and Sub. These are all in correctly (I followed the manufactures guide for him) The main problem is when he plays music he is not getting sound out of the two back surround speakers. I spent ages searching online for a solution and found one for Windows 10 with the Fill option under Enhancements in configuring speakers. However The enhancement tab isn't showing up for him in Windows 11.

He's using on board sound card from the motherboard. I don't think he has any audio software installed as he is not the best where it comes to working a computer. The mother board is a
ROG STRIX Z690-F GAMING WIFI does anyone know if this is something that can be done in software? And if so what software needs to be downloaded?

I've looked on their website and he has downloaded the audio drivers and installed them, just in case.

If more info is needed please ask and I will be happy to supply it.

Thanks for reading.

 

[hotaru.hino]

Windows doesn't have a means to upscale stereo sound to surround sound. You have to use the sound card's control utility to do that. Since you mentioned Creative, you have to install Sound Blaster Command to get this feature working.

If the card is older than around 2014 or so, you may need another utility app from Creative, but either way, you need a utility app.

 

[TrecaaBade]

HI thank you for your reply. Would it matter if the sound card wasn't creative? He is using on board sound from the mother board with a creative speaker set up? Sorry to be a pain I just want to be sure.

 

[hotaru.hino]

HI thank you for your reply. Would it matter if the sound card wasn't creative? He is using on board sound from the mother board with a creative speaker set up? Sorry to be a pain I just want to be sure.

In that case it's probably a Realtek chip. Assuming you grabbed the drivers from ASUS's website, there should be either a Control Panel item or you have to get it from the Microsoft Store (https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/realtek-audio-control/9P2B8MCSVPLN?hl=en-us&gl=US)

 

[TrecaaBade]

Thanks I'll pass this on to him

 

[punkncat]

What is being used as a source for the surround sound?

Surround will not work for browser based viewing without being in a "virtual" mode. The only way to get true surround on a streaming source is by way of supported apps, and the only one I am aware of is Netflix. Aside from that you (might) be able to get it working from a source DVD or the like. DRM/RIAA have made this much more complicated than it should be due to piracy.

 

[TrecaaBade]

Hi we need it to mix the stereo source so it comes out of the back rear speaker when listening to music and so fourth. It worked in Windows 10 with no problem, but he can't seem to get it working in Windows 11.

 

[johnbl]

Hi we need it to mix the stereo source so it comes out of the back rear speaker when listening to music and so fourth. It worked in Windows 10 with no problem, but he can't seem to get it working in Windows 11.

I just hit something like this on my windows 11 pre release build.
basically, a game would crash and debugging it the crash was related to a old surround sound driver service. Microsoft updates the drivers but I had to update the service by going to here:
Microsoft Update Catalog
I had to search for the failed .dll name from my game error log. download the software to my local machine, extract it to a directory that I have full ownership of. then find the device in control panel, device manager, right mouse click, updated drivers then pick from a driver on my machine, then tell it to install the driver that I had downloaded and uncompressed.
It worked as expected.

Most people will not be able to figure this out when they get the updated build.

problem was the sound device driver was updated to a version in 2022 but the service accessing the driver was old (dated in 2019) the updated service from the catalog was dated in 2022.

(I also stopped the old service before I updated, but it should not be required if the update program was written correctly)