Change audio source smoothly between speakers and headphones.
Change audio source smoothly between speakers and headphones.
Hello, your recent purchase of speakers has caused an issue where disconnecting your headphones is necessary to use them. Your audio drivers are current, but your motherboard is an AsRock B450M PRO4. You're finding that Windows doesn't let you switch between the speakers and headphones in the volume settings because it treats both as speakers.
It looks like this individual faces the same problem, and a solution was found on the TomsGuide forum thread you mentioned.
Connecting to the direct I/O port, yet your headphones are employing an auxiliary extension (?)
You can't simply connect it to any ports in the back. Blue indicates a line coming in (like audio going into the motherboard). Are you using an analog green line out for your headphones? And do your speakers also use a green line out or a USB connection?
Your device only shows the top three items, so you're missing some options. It seems the front panel audio and green port speakers are working, but the output switch isn't visible. This might be related to Windows settings or a display issue.
I do get a drop-down menu. Did you download the Realtek Audio drivers for your motherboard? I don't mean audio drivers Windows automatically downloads, but the drivers from AsRock's website. I did a quick test...so this is what I have connected for audio... Audio from monitor speakers (2x since I have two monitors) 5.1 speakers from the motherboard's rear I/O (green-orange-black ports) Headphones using the front audio port Headphone using USB port 5.1 speakers shows up as -- 'Speakers (Realtek Audio) Headphones connected to the front panel shows up as -- Realtek HD Audio 2nd Output (Realtek Audio)
I updated my drivers to that specific version, removed the previous ones, and everything worked fine once. The arrow function was responding correctly, distinguishing between headphones and speakers. However, it asked for another restart, and now it believes I only have speakers while the arrow is missing. Could this be due to the speakers being outdated? I’m considering they might be old, especially since they’re made of beige plastic.
It shouldn't matter whether the speakers are old or new. Since they're analog, they don't need drivers. The computer would treat them just like regular speakers connected in. Unplug the headphone and mic connect the front, then plug them back in. Your screenshot comes from the RealTek App. I have essentially the same setup as you... What does your Control Panel > Sound look like? This is what I see... Speakers = devices attached to the back RealTek HD Audio 2nd Output = headphones plugged into the front