Thread: Realtek HD Audio 5.1 only outputs 2.1 in Windows 7

I have just lately upgraded from Windows XP 32bit to Windows 7 64bit, I am now getting this difficulty as I observe many others have gotten also. Previously my sound was working completely although when I downloaded the Windows 7 64bit edition of Realtec Audio Driver/Manager the whole interface was new and when I sprint the Speaker Test it outputs sound in all speakers, But when I try play music/games the sound is only 2.1, I have managed to obtain sound on the rear / center speakers but only on poor quality by setting unwanted settings, for instance Sound Environment, Speaker Fill etc.

I am operating driver version '6.0.1.5485', I have noticed people on Win XP just reverting to an older driver edition. I don't believe that is quite possible for Win 7, has anyone solved the trouble on Vista/Windows 7?

It plays in 2.1 until it obtains the codes to play in 5.1 unless you physically put it to play in 5.1 by right clicking the speaker icon-playback devices-click on speakers-properties-enhancements-setting-and locate the type of surroundings that you would like to hear. If you have the realtek HD audio manager installed, then just double click on that-select sound belongings and select the surroundings that way.

Thanks for your respond kg4icg, though I did observe this but the quality of the sound is not like it was on Windows XP, also in Windows XP it played 5.1 with no surroundings choose.

I have tested all the surroundings on Windows 7 in the Realtek HD Audio Manager and the clearest one I can notice is "Room" although the back speakers output isn't that huge.

You can regulate the range and the volume of every individual speaker.

Well it appears to be the only solution, just was hoping for improved quality. formerly in Windows XP when I contained the Equalizer on 'Powerful' the back speakers were as good quality as the front, Where as now they appear soft pitched, Thanks for your assist and time.

Go to device administrator, click on the audio device in query and select the "properties" option. From here click on the "driver" tab, you will have a choice then to "roll back driver" if that alternative is chosen it should revert back to the driver installed when first configured. It is supported by creation specialists as well as engineers and support teams.

I have the similar difficulty as Future.

I have an original sound card and 5.1 Logitech which worked luminously in windows xp but since I improved to windows 7 my sounds playback is actually dodgy. The sound first of all sounds choppy particularly when I'm doing something in the background and I acquired 4 gig ram so I don't believe that is the problem. I've tried every imaginable thing to try and modify the sound settings so it supports all 5 speakers but only the 2 front ones play. When I run a test all the speakers work but through playback only two work.

What do I do.... revert back to xp but loose the luminous new features of windows 7?

I have the similar difficulty with an original sound card and 5.1 Logitech speakers. They worked fine on Vista but when I fixed Windows 7 I only have 2.1 sounds. My 2 rears speakers and my center front don't contain any sound coming beyond them.

Add me to the list of people with this problem. I just improved to windows 7 and now 5.1 audio employing SPDIF won't work. I don't still have the choice to place the number of speakers I'm using. When I leave into sound properties, then advanced, I can only select 2 channel process.

I've acquired a gigabyte board with Realtek HD audio.

It appears I was wrong about 3D Sound Back! It actually does the job! I thought it didn't work because when I clicked it nothing occurred. Only after searching through a few sites again I saw a screenshot of it operating and realized it was intended to Windows Vista, so all I had to do was run it in compatibility mode for Windows Vista Service Pack 2, add the applications and voila! I obtained surround sound again without registry tweaks!