How to Resolve: Channel Surround Sound Not Working on Windows 10



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When you upgrade to the latest version of Windows 10, you may run into compatibility issues and problems, usually with previous version drivers, because these drivers are specifically designed for the previous version of Windows 10.

This is when you may encounter an issue where 5.1 surround sound does not work on your Windows 10 computer. In this case, you can only hear the sound through the front speakers, but not through the rear speakers. However, we have some solutions for you that can solve this problem. Let’s take a look at how.

What causes the surround sound channel not to work?

  • Installing a certain program or any other event can cause the sound system to stop working. This is a common occurrence that can also affect other devices, such as storage devices or microphones/headphones.
  • If 5.1 surround sound doesn’t work, it may be due to compatibility issues, but it’s most likely the fault of drivers originally designed for older versions of Windows systems. After upgrading, these drivers may simply stop working.

Below are the steps that should help you solve your surround sound problems.

How to solve the problem of not working surround sound?

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Updating your audio driver

Many errors are the result of a faulty driver. In this case, you may need to update or completely reinstall this component. If you are using Realtek audio, you need to download the latest drivers or a driver version higher than 6.0.1.7487.

  1. Press Win + S and locate Device Manager.
  2. In Device Manager, navigate to Audio Inputs and Outputs.
  3. Right-click on the speaker and select Update Driver.
  4. Now expand Sound, Video, and Gamepad.
  5. Repeat the process for all the devices you find there.

Windows 10 Update

Microsoft is constantly working to improve its Windows operating system and fix any bugs it finds. If your surround sound isn’t working, it may be a Microsoft problem that has nothing to do with you.

  1. Press Win + S and go to Settings.
  2. Go to “Update and Security”.
  3. Select Windows Update, then Check for updates.
  4. Allow Windows to check for the latest updates and install them.

Change the bitrate and audio frequency.

  1. Right-click the speaker icon on the right side of the Windows taskbar.
  2. Select Sound, and then go to Playback.
  3. Right-click on the speaker and then select Properties.
  4. Click the Advanced tab.
  5. Expand the list of formats and change the bitrate to 24 bits and the frequency to 96000 Hz.
  6. Click the Ok button. Your 5.1 sound should now work fine.



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Frequently Asked Questions

Make sure the surround back speakers are properly connected to the A/V receiver. For Dolby® ProLogic surround sound, the center channel mode must be set to NORMAL or WIDE. If the source is a DVD or Blu-ray Disc® player, make sure that surround sound is enabled in the player's own menu.

  1. Right-click the speaker icon on the taskbar and select Sounds.
  2. Click the Playback tab.
  3. Right-click on the speakers and choose Set as Default Device.
  4. Select the speaker by clicking it once and then click Install.
  5. Here select 5.1 Surround from the drop-down menu under Audio Channels and click Next.

Reboot your computer and go to the BIOS/UEFI settings menu. In particular, pay attention to the sound settings. In the BIOS, go to the Advanced menu and check to see if the sound card is enabled. If the previous step didn't work, update the BIOS and see if that solves your sound problems.

Check your speaker connections. Check the cables on the back of your speakers and make sure they are connected in the right place. If any of these connections are loose, plug them back in to secure the connection. A loose connection may be the cause of no sound from your speakers.

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