Low audio volume

[Labze]

Hey

I recently just upgraded my computer, new motherboard and cpu, and chose to also upgrade from windows 7 to 8.1. However, since my upgrade my audio volume has been extremely low to the point where even when turned all the way up, the audio isn't that loud.

Heres a screenshot that ilustrates the problem: http://peecee.dk/upload/view/443683 . This is a track that usually peaks the volume mixer, however it barely reaches 10% here. This isn't isolated to just chrome and google player, every program i run has low audio volume.

I have a Asus ROG z97 ranger motherboard, installed the latest realtek driver, tried to enable and disable various of their gaming 'enhancements' but have left everything off, disabled the function to reduce audio if a communication device such as skype is on and of course made sure that every program i run has the volume maxed.

I am pretty much at a loss to what i can try so any advice here would be much appreciated.

 

[OlyAR15]

Have you double-checked to make sure your speaker is plugged into the right port? That it is fully plugged in (some connectors are quite tight and need a bit of force to fully seat the plug)? Other than that, I'm at a loss here.

Are you running speakers or headphones? Do you have headphones plugged into the front port of your computer?

 

[Fardringle]

Check the Volume Mixer to make sure none of the individual volume sliders are at or near the bottom.

 

[Labze]

Have you double-checked to make sure your speaker is plugged into the right port? That it is fully plugged in (some connectors are quite tight and need a bit of force to fully seat the plug)? Other than that, I'm at a loss here.

Are you running speakers or headphones? Do you have headphones plugged into the front port of your computer?

I am using headphones, and they are plugged into the rear output, it has been replugged a few times so i am sure it is seated properly.

Check the Volume Mixer to make sure none of the individual volume sliders are at or near the bottom.

Every slider is maxed out. Even if my sliders were lowered, the gray bar in the volume mixer should still show the normalized volume which should be close to peaking when listening to music.


I have tried to uninstall my Realtek driver, and without them the volume goes much louder however the audio playback is very poor which could be expected without drivers. So I guess the drivers maybe could be the cause of this, but i have tried playing around with all the different things in there and as long as its installed I can't get the volume higher unless I active all sorts of weird effects that degrades the quality, such as reverb, bass boost and so forth.

Is there anyway for me to get the 'normal' Realtek drivers that aren't ROG branded when using a ROG motherboard? I tried to install drivers both from Asus website and from Realteks and both give me the ROG branded drivers.

 

[Smoove910]

Have you tried the drivers that came on the disc with your mobo?

 

[daveybrat]

Well, i hate to have to say it, but onboard Realtek audio is just not good enough or loud enough for me either.

My ASRock board has decent Realtek audio but it's just not loud enough for me in games and especially on Youtube and Movies.

I upgraded to an Asus Xonar Soundcard w/headphone Amp boost and wow what a difference.

So loud at times i actually have to turn my headphones down!

 

[Labze]

Have you tried the drivers that came on the disc with your mobo?

No, I have no optical drive installed. But I would assume the latest driver from Asus website would be the best bet.

Well, i hate to have to say it, but onboard Realtek audio is just not good enough or loud enough for me either.

My ASRock board has decent Realtek audio but it's just not loud enough for me in games and especially on Youtube and Movies.

I upgraded to an Asus Xonar Soundcard w/headphone Amp boost and wow what a difference.

So loud at times i actually have to turn my headphones down!

Well my old Asus P7P55D-E motherboard also used Realtek audio but that provided me with plenty of audio volume. If anything my new ROG motherboard should provide more power but it is far from.

 

[C1]

Apparently there are many many similar complaints about low audio volume after changing to WIN 8. (And yes, many involve Realtek audio.)

Check out this Google search:
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=Windows+8.1+and+low+audio+volume

Also look at this YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzu_0yKR_-s