Question Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H Motherboard no sound after Windows and graphics card driver update

Dec 14, 2023
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Help!
I am completely stumped.
Ive spent a couple days on this and followed just about every post that has this exact issue and nothing works.
This is my wife's computer (my OLD gaming computer from 2012)

SYMPTOMS
  • No sound at all from speakers.
  • I can see in windows that the green bars are moving, showing that sound is coming out but it is silent.
  • The installed video card is Radeon 570.
  • I have noticed that Windows seems to like to install Nvida HD audio drivers.
TROUBLESHOOTING
I have suspected that the Nvidia drivers are causing issues but not sure how to tackle this. In the Device Manager I see a couple Nvidia HD Audio drivers. I think I tried uninstalling these but it didnt work. I dont have anything Nvidia in this machine but Windows update thinks I do. I am almost positive the onboard video card is Intel.

HAVE NOT TRIED
Could be a BIOS issue. I think my onboard video is sent to auto and INIT Display first is AUTO.
Tonight I am going to try to uninstall ALL audio drivers and try both of these methods:

1. Unplug my HDMI cable and connect the computer via the VGA cable to the onboard video. Without HDMI maybe the computer will be forced to use the onboard audio. Then switch back, I heard this worked for one person.

2. I have an old monitor in storage. Maybe I should check to see if it has speakers or an audio jack out and connect the computer to this monitor to try to get sound over HDMI?

In the BIOS I do see Audio Controller with options being Enabled or Disabled. I have it on Enabled obviously.

Finally, I said screw it and ordered this USB sound card: https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Lab...10?keywords=sound+card&qid=1702576584&sr=8-10

I wonder, if Windows is stubborn and keeps trying to play audio through HDMI will this thing not work too?

Any other suggestions?
Thanks!
 
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  • Did a complete new Windows 10 reinstall
I have suspected that the Nvidia drivers are causing issues but not sure how to tackle this. In the Device Manager I see a couple Nvidia HD Audio drivers. I think I tried uninstalling these but it didnt work. I dont have anything Nvidia in this machine but Windows update thinks I do. I am almost positive the onboard video card is Intel.
Pc shouldn't try to install drivers for hardware that was never on that install. Did you clean install windows?

Could be a BIOS issue. I think my onboard video is sent to auto and INIT
BIOS shouldn't have anything to do with it. Its 20+ years since there has been any Nvidia motherbaord chips. So onboard would be your CPU if anything.

have you run DDU to remove all traces of Nvidia on PC?
 
I wonder, if Windows is stubborn and keeps trying to play audio through HDMI will this thing not work too?
Any other suggestions?
Please list full system specs of your pc.
Show screenshots from
Device Manager - Audio Inputs/Outputs and Sound/Video/Game Controllers sections expanded,​
Settings - System/Sound​
(upload to imgur.com and post link)

Generally - Settings - System/Sound should let you choose, where sound output is directed.
You should be able to switch between sound going to monitor or speakers.
 
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Pc shouldn't try to install drivers for hardware that was never on that install. Did you clean install windows?


BIOS shouldn't have anything to do with it. Its 20+ years since there has been any Nvidia motherbaord chips. So onboard would be your CPU if anything.

have you run DDU to remove all traces of Nvidia on PC?
Windows install was clean.

Got rid of all traces of Nvidia. The HDMI auto now says AMD so that's better.

Last night I spent quite a long time trying everything and I mean everything. I even enabled HDMI sound and tried to hook up an HDMI monitor that has sound out, still silent even with HDMI sound selected! I am beginning to think this computer is haunted. How can HDMI out sound not work either?

My USB sound card is arriving today. If that works then I will just use that. My wife just uses this computer for email and internet.
 
Can you provide screenshots requested above?

Also - how are your speakers connected?
Do you use toslink cable?
or 3.5mm audio cable?
Into what color audio jack are speakers plugged in?
I will provide screenshots when I get home.

If you need Device Manager stuff under sound it just says (cant remember exact wording):

AMD HD
VIA HD

Using 3.5mm audio cable to speakers. Speakers were tested with my phone and work.
Speakers plugged into green jack in the back. I have tried all jacks.