Realtek 5.1/7.1 surround speaker issue in Windows 11.

Anonymous
2021-10-30T22:21:25+00:00

Hi,

Since I upgraded to Windows 11 a few days ago, I now no longer have the option in sound settings to enable 5.1 or 7.1 surround support, as I did in Windows 10. At least I believe that I had that option in Windows 10, all I have now is stereo only and I miss the added depth of sound of my 5.1 speakers. Am I failing to see the obvious, or is this an oversight in the programming. If anyone has any thoughts on solving this issue it would be most welcome. I admit I have not tried installing the Realtek Audio Manager, as that file looks as though it may not be compatible with Windows 11 although it did function in Windows 10.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-05-16T10:19:07+00:00

    Thank you so much for this. This may be the first actual solution to a problem I have encountered on this site. LEGEND!!!

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  2. JosephT71 9,220 Reputation points
    2022-05-16T16:39:26+00:00

    Thank you so much for this. This may be the first actual solution to a problem I have encountered on this site. LEGEND!!!

    Actually it doesn't solve anything because the next thing people ask when they got to the old mmsys.cpl sound control panel is asking where is the missing enhancement tab. Why can't they find the equalizer or the mic's noise suppression which had been on the mmsys.cpl's enhancement tab?

    The actual solution has always been that all computers with modern DCH audio drivers (which are computers made in 2018 and later and therefore all eligible for Windows 11 upgrade) should use your audio driver's configuration app (downloaded via Microsoft Store) to do all audio configurations, which in 90% of the case it will be the Realtek Audio Console, Dell Audio app, HP Audio app, B&O Audio app, Waves MaxxAudio Pro app...

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-08-06T18:19:22+00:00

    I have followed all suggestions, installed all drivers, the realtek Audio Console is installed and from that the 5.1 speakers work, but when I open an app I get only 2 speakers, the standard stereo setup. The Realtek Audio service is enabled at startup and the 3 software components are installed.

    How can I get W11 to use the 5.1 config and not the 2.0? I know on my old pc with W10 it works. Now I have a new one and this is not what I expected.

    I have a Gigabyte Aorus Elite V2 mobo with a 5700X.

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  4. JosephT71 9,220 Reputation points
    2022-08-06T19:41:35+00:00

    What apps?

    Music is stereo so spotify is going to be stereo only. Youtube videos are stereo so youtube on internet browsers are stereo only.

    If you want music to play in all 5 speakers, you have to enable speaker fill.

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  5. Anonymous
    2022-10-14T00:35:10+00:00

    Looks like Windows 11 optical audio is faulty.

    When I run an audio check on my reciever Windows is only sending 2channel audio. Even when I play a 5.1 audio the rear speaker audio is played from the front speakers.

    I have tried everything I can but it just looks like it doesn't work correctly.

    Speaker setup does not work on optical.

    Audio test works incorrectly too.

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