Realtek HD Audio Manager doesn't recognize speakers or headphones as plugged in

[TR66]

I have a Dell Studio Slim 540s Desktop PC (late 2008 model) running Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) with SP1. It has no add-in sound card -- only the built-in Realtek ALC888 HD Audio that's on the motherboard. I've installed (and re-installed several times) the latest audio driver software from the Dell website. That driver software is: Realtek ALC888 HD Audio, v.6.0.1.5663, A02 (REALTEK_ALC888-HD-AUDIO_A02_R193149.EXE).

The problem is that when I try plugging in a headphone or set of speakers to either of the Audio Output jacks -- front or rear -- the Realtek Audio Manager doesn't recognize that anything has been plugged in.

Here's the 3 entries I see when I right-click on Realtek HD Audio Manager and select Audio Devices from the drop-down menu:

===== START =====
■ Digital Audio (HDMI)
2- High Definition Audio Device
Not plugged in

■ Speakers
Realtek High Definition Audio
Not plugged in

■ Realtek Digital Output
Realtek High Definition Audio
Default Device
===== END =====

There are 2 entries in Device Manager under the category "Sound, video and game controllers" as follows:

===== START =====
High Definition Audio Device
Realtek High Definition Audio
===== END =====

Both of these entries look normal; and show a status of "working properly".

Some additional details: I've checked in the BIOS Setup that the Onboard Audio Controller is enabled. I've checked that the physical connections between the Audio Output jacks (both front and rear) are solidly connected to the motherboard. And I've confirmed that the headphones and speakers that I'm using are working properly (by plugging them into another system).

Does anyone have any idea what might be wrong here? I've looked thru these forum threads; and I've found a number of people who seem to have had similar problems. But none of the suggestions I've seen seem relevant to my particular situation. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[popatim]

Have you set the default playback device to the realtek? (rt click speaker icon>playback device)

 

[TR66]

Have you set the default playback device to the realtek? (rt click speaker icon>playback device)

There are 2 Realtek devices in the list of 3 Playback devices. One is the "Realtek Digital Output"; and this is what's currently set as the Default Device. However, that isn't the device that I need. I need the other Realtek device -- the one identified in my list above as "Speakers", which is listed as "Not plugged in".

The problem with the "Speakers" device is that it continues to report that it's "Not plugged in" even when a headphone or a set of speakers is plugged in.

To answer your question specifically though, no, I can't set the Realtek "Speakers" as the Default Device because that option (even though it appears when I right-click the icon) is greyed out -- so I'm unable to set it.

 

[CenterFate]

This exact thing is happening to me to an extent. The only difference I have is that either my Headset works then the speakers will not if I take them out, or the Speakers work, then the Headset will not once I've removed it (and even if I plug it back in).

A more specific scenario, which is the most common for me is, I plug my Headset in, Realtek asks me what device I plugged in, I select Headphones. Once I click headphones the sound moves to my headset, which is good. However, if I then later remove the headset, the sound returns to my speakers (good), but if I again need the headset the prompt does not pop up. SO the sound never moves back to the headset. Instead all sound will play through my speakers, yet my Mic on the headset will still relay my voice fine.

I've searched everywhere for a solution, but seemingly can't find one. My only option is to restart the pc without the headphones in the jack, then plug them in, answer the one-time prompt asking what I'm plugging in. Only then does it work properly, until I need to plug the headset back in again after removing it.

It would be awesome if some sort of tech wizard could answer our problems. For me, whichever item isn't working will show as a Line In on the audio manager, and it will be grayed out despite being plugged in. Therefore I can't even manually make it default, and switch between the two when needed.

I've tried a driver reinstall, I've tried updating everything, which everything was already up to date. I've tried every thing that looked like it could maybe be similar and still haven't found a solution.

 

[Michal_8]

Try to download the original driver from the Realtec site it solven my issue also the front panel is now working
IF you want find your audio chip in the list or if the driver didnt detect your chip try this one .This is what i have used to fix the issue .
http://www.realtek.cz/realtek-download.php?realtek=alc892&system=2