Audio output not working or intermittant on 7790 AIO??

I am having the same problem.

New and in warranty it is usually best to call Dell support.  If there is a hardware issue only Dell support can get it resolved under warranty.  We can't do that on this forum.

However, a couple of things to check/do.

1. Go to the Settings/System/Sound.  Make sure "Speakers (Realtek(R) Audio)" is set as the Output Device.

2. If the output device is set correctly, refresh the Realtek sound by going to Device Manager, Sound Video and Game Controllers section. RIGHT click on the Realtek entry and then LEFT click "Uninstall".  DO NOT uninstall the drivers.  Restart the PC and when Windows starts it will reinstall (refresh) the Realtek.    If this does not help the next step is Dell support.

Interesting that more than one of us having same problem.  I tried plugging in other devices including a phone headset w/the TRSS (3 sections) and still no go.  Also verified each and each audio setting and they are correct.  I did get output initially so seems odd.  Haven't checked the BIOS though and there has been a couple BIOS updates since purchased.

I have the same problem. When I first connected external speakers about 6 months they weren't detected. After reinstalling MaxxAudioPro they worked. A couple of days ago they stopped working again. This time uninstalling MaxxAudioPro didn't solve it. I've deleted and reinstalled Realtek driver 6.0.8929.1 and I now have both headphones and speakers options on playback devices. MaxxAudioPro has internal speakers option only. I  lost sound all together but then after a couple of restarts the external speakers started playing media files on the headphone  playback device option. System sounds come through the internal speakers. MaxxAudioPro still shows internal speakers but the test sound plays through the external speakers.

All seems a bit hit and miss. I'll see how long it lasts.

@DaveHF  - Always include exact PC model in your posts.

Open the Waves MaxxAudio control panel. Click the Speakers icon. Then scroll down and click Advanced to expand that option. Put a check in the box to "show popup". Close the Maxx control panel.

Disconnect the external speakers and reboot the PC.  When you're fully back at the desktop, plug the speakers into the correct port on PC. Wait until Maxx pops up and then choose the correct external speaker option from the list offered. That should fix it.

FWIW, there are Realtek audio driver updates being pushed by Windows Update that cause this problem. Had exactly same issue with Maxx not allowing external speakers on my XPS 8930 twice in the past ~1 month because WU keeps forcing these driver updates on us. And for whatever reason, that "show popup" box isn't checked by default so you can't change things manually... 

Ron,

Thanks for the suggestion. When I looked at the MaxxAudioPro advanced "pop up" option it was already checked so I unchecked and rechecked to be sure. Unplugged speakers, rebooted, waited then plugged them in. Pop up appeared with the various options. Selected external speakers and it did the job. Only one playback device listed in sound settings and all audio playing through the external speakers.

Thanks for the advice.

Regards

Dave

@DaveHF  Glad that worked.    

This is getting frustrating. External speakers stopped working again. Possibly related to the latest Windows update.

Maxx Audio does not show pop up when speakers are plugged in but it does show them as the selected output device. However all sound comes through internal speakers. Tried rebooting and running the windows sound settings troubleshoot. Windows has shown Speakers (Realtek(R) Audio), Headphones and Speakers ( High definition audio device) at various times during the reboot and restarts. Sometimes the internal speakers work sometimes not. The external speakers remain silent throughout.

Just noticed that Maxx Audio now shows "current default playback device is not supported" and the internal speaker drop down is menu is greyed out and not working whilst windows sound icon is showing Speakers (high definition audio device). Not got any sound from the internal or external speakers and plugging/ unplugging the external speakers changes nothing.

Humbug!

Did you make sure the Waves MaxxAudio "Show popup" box on its Playback screen is still checked?

Did you uncheck it, close/reopen the Waves control panel and recheck that box?

Did you then disconnect your output device(s) and reboot the PC, plugged the speakers in, and waited for the Waves popup to appear?

That has worked for on my XPS 8930 when audio output gets fouled up...

EDITED -OOPSY! I left out the key step...

Hi, Did you find a permanent solution to your audio output problem. Have had the same issue on and off but currently everything I've tried in the past that has helped is not fixing the current lack of external sound. Would be grateful to hear if you have a solution.

I ended up returning it to Costco and bought another exact same one from Costco. No problems at all ever since, so I do think it was a hardware issue for me. 

Thanks for replying. Glad you sorted it. Wish I could do the same but I only used the audio out jack after the end of my waranty so I'm stuck with the problem.

Ron,

Thanks so much for taking the time to provide such helpful advice. I worked through your checklist and didn't find any issues until I checked device manager for errors. Low and behold I found an entry for Intel High Definition Audio flagged with the comment "currently hardware not connected to the computer (Code 45). I uninstalled and scanned for hardware changes and the Intel High Definition Audio entry did not reappear.

Rebooted and hey presto external speakers working again.

Thanks so much for helping resolve the issue.

@DaveHF - You're welcome...

It's strange that Windows was looking for Intel HD Audio because this PC uses Realtek Audio. 

Glad you were able to find the offender and eliminate it. Well done!