Solved Windows 10 Stereo Mix Recording...

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MisterReigns

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Oct 1, 2019
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So, this is a weird one. When I go into my sound options and I select the Record tab, I right-click on Stereo Mix and choose Enable... yet, it does not pick up any sound playing. Doesn't matter what I change in those settings, I cannot get the Record portion to pick up any desktop audio, whether it be from Winamp, Chrome, etc.

The weird part is that if I plug in a pair of 3.5mm headphones into the back jack of my computer, suddenly I can record my desktop sound.

So, my question is why do I need a 3.5mm headphone wire plugged into the Sound Out port in the back of my computer before it will pick up any sound on the recording side of the Stereo Mix?

I use some very nice USB headphones that I rather enjoy but those being plugged in do not provide whatever it is Windows needs in order to record desktop sound.

The sound is currently either going through those USB headphones or it is traveling via HDMI to my monitor and providing the sound out of the monitor's internal speaker. Nevertheless, I would like to be able to record my desktop sound regardless of where I'm hearing it and if anyone can guide me in the proper direction, I would be most grateful.

Here's to You and Yours,
Mr. Reigns
 
We have no information regarding whether you are using onboard sound or a sound card, and if it is onboard the motherboard in use.

Sometimes plugging devices into sound ports reassigns them.

What software are you trying to record with?

What are you trying to record from, external device or pc?
 
I believe it is onboard. Here is some info...

Code: 
OS Name    Microsoft Windows 10 Home   
Version    10.0.17763 Build 17763   
Other OS Description     Not Available   
OS Manufacturer    Microsoft Corporation   
System Name    DESKTOP-R81LVJO   
System Manufacturer    Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.   
System Model    To be filled by O.E.M.   
System Type    x64-based PC   
System SKU    To be filled by O.E.M.   
Processor    AMD FX(tm)-6300 Six-Core Processor, 3500 Mhz, 3 Core(s), 6 Logical Processor(s)   
BIOS Version/Date    American Megatrends Inc. FD, 2/26/2016   
SMBIOS Version    2.7   
Embedded Controller Version    255.255   
BIOS Mode    UEFI   
BaseBoard Manufacturer    Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.   
BaseBoard Product    970A-DS3P   
BaseBoard Version    x.x   
Platform Role    Desktop   
Secure Boot State    Off   
PCR7 Configuration    Binding Not Possible   
Windows Directory    C:\WINDOWS   
System Directory    C:\WINDOWS\system32   
Boot Device    \Device\HarddiskVolume2   
Locale    United States   
Hardware Abstraction Layer    Version = "10.0.17763.737"   
User Name    DESKTOP-R81LVJO\mcoul   
Time Zone    Central Daylight Time   
Installed Physical Memory (RAM)    16.0 GB   
Total Physical Memory    16.0 GB   
Available Physical Memory    12.5 GB   
Total Virtual Memory    22.2 GB   
Available Virtual Memory    16.6 GB   
Page File Space    6.28 GB   
Page File    E:\pagefile.sys   
Kernel DMA Protection    Off   
Virtualization-based security    Not enabled   
Device Encryption Support    Reasons for failed automatic device encryption: TPM is not usable, PCR7 binding is not supported, Hardware Security Test Interface failed and device is not InstantGo, Un-allowed DMA capable bus/device(s) detected, TPM is not usable   
Hyper-V - VM Monitor Mode Extensions    Yes   
Hyper-V - Second Level Address Translation Extensions    Yes   
Hyper-V - Virtualization Enabled in Firmware    Yes   
Hyper-V - Data Execution Protection    Yes

sounds.png

The meter to the right of "Stereo Mix" does not light up and any software I use does not pick up the audio... because it's not picking it up here.

As soon as I plug a 3.5mm wire into Audio Out port in the back of the computer (usually where you plug your speakers in), it suddenly decides that it can now hear audio and will be able to record it.
 
Can you check device manager and see if there are any yellow exclamation marks next to any items?

The motherboard listed in the specs you provided does not list drivers or support for Windows 10?
 
No yellow ! marks. And the motherboard very much supports Windows 10, as I've had this for over a year now and my father has the exact same computer. The only problem I've had with it is the sound issue. Having said that, I'm going to ask him if he can record desktop sound and, if so, see if I can mimic his settings to achieve the same result without having to plug in a 3.5mm wire.
 
Okay, after speaking with my father (who has the exact same computer), I had him try the same thing and he received the same result. Seems like it needs to make a loop in order for it to recognize there is sound. He has speakers plugged into one of the audio-out (headphone) jacks and the Stereo Mix meter under the record tab bounces up and down, signifying it is receiving sound to record. When he unplugs his speakers, the meter stops bouncing, signifying it cannot hear the sound. My monitor for my sound uses an HDMI cable, which since sound travels through that, you'd think the onboard sound card would recognize the sound is still going out, but I suppose not.

So, for those looking to solve this problem (some people since Windows 7), plug a 3.5mm wire into one of the headphone jacks or the green port in the back and see if that fixes your problem and allows you to record the desktop audio. That's what does it for me.

Oh, and thanks Gus for your response. Truly appreciated.
 
I do apologize, when I looked at your motherboard support yesterday I was sure it did not include Windows 10 drivers but when I check now it's definitely there, sorry about that.

Your fix sounds a little unusual but if it works that's all that matters..

Do you consider this resolved?
 
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