So after messing around and doing several restarts, I simply turned off my laptop completely, waited a moment, and turned it back on. Ta da, sound works again. Headphones however do not - i can plug the headphones into my alienware laptop and the sound still plays out of the speakers and only the speakers. An improvement for sure. Ill keep looking into this headphone issue and report back in case I find anything else out.

Try installing the soublaster recon3di driver, here's the link:

www.dell.com/.../alienware-m14x-r2

Hey,

I turned on my M14x R2 this morning and found the same problem. However My laptop hasn't been in the rain or anything. I just turned it off and  unplugged  the  charger as always. No  possibility  of a hit or that it fell because I have it fixed in my desktop. I had installed before the creative driver and used the sound blaster control panel which worked pretty well... after several restarts the problem is still there No Audio Output device is installed. I tried also a repair reinstall and a clean reinstall... problem still there and no Audio coming out.

Edit: after I uninstalled the creative driver, when I tried to reinstall it now it says that Setup is unable to detect a supported product on your system.

Any help? should I use the warranty?

Hello jkmont0,

Update the system BIOS to the latest version, as it addresses that issue specifically, here's the link for the download:

Dell Alienware M14x R2 System BIOS 

I already had this BIOS update installed. I reinstalled but the problem continues.

The motherboard probably needs to be replaced, send me a private message with your service tag and contact information and I'll help you out. Please include the link to this thread.

This is a known issue with all current Alienware laptops (M14x R2, M17x R4, M18x R2) that have the Soundblaster Recon3Di.

Here is a lengthy thread on the subject:  Sound Blaster Recon3Di Discussion Thread - Find Solutions and Ask Questions Here [M18x R2, M17x R4 Audio **FIX**] 

Try these two suggestions in addition to reinstalling the drivers.

Plan A: Put your laptop to sleep by closing the lid or invoking sleep using the sleep button or Start Menu. Wait a few minutes, then wake it up.

If that does not work...

Plan B: Remove the CMOS (coin cell) battery, wait a minute, then put it back in and reassemble. Instructions start on page 69 in the M14x R2 Owner's Manual. You can access that here > ftp://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_laptop/esuprt_alienware_laptops/alienware-m14x-r2_owner%27s%20manual_EN-US.pdf (for some reason the link cannot be embedded, so copy and paste.)

Try this driver first.Creative Sound Blaster Recon3Di Package. If these drivers do not work for you, download the release dated 4/16/2013, version 6.0.101.1013 from the Windows Update Catalog. (This link required Internet Explorer. Chrome and Firefox will not work with the Windows Update Catalog.)

These drivers from the Windows Update catalog are compressed CAB files. Extract the contents and browse to the extraction folder from the hardware properties in Device Manager to install them. (There is no "Setup.exe" file.) You can install them over the top of your existing Dell / Alienware drivers.

After extracting the contents of the CAB file to a folder, click the "Update Driver" button and browse to direct Device Manager to that folder to install using the "Have Disk" method.

let me know what fixed this mine is doing it all the time coming on and going back out how is it fixed????

let me know how you fixed this mine is doing the same thing

I called Dell support, 

and after describing the problem, they sent a guy to my place. He changed the entire screenset, the motherboard and the keyboard which he damaged while trying to open the Laptop.

Now the mic works fine but I will have to call them again because the battery sometimes doesn't charge

no this does not work either.

my battery is broken so i had to buy a non alienware battery wich doesent charge the battery alienware im so angry with i payed alot of money for this computer and there should be nothing wrong with it 

Hi:

   I have a m18xr2 with similar issue. I had reinstalled bios, filed case with local dell support. I got offer to replace my perfect motherboard with a used one. I declined and the case while I was still under warranty. now i am off warranty and the case is still chasing me. I am wondering if you can help me out.

Hi:      I have a m18xr2 with similar issue. I had reinstalled bios, filed case with local dell support. I got offer to replace my perfect motherboard with a used one. I declined and the case while I was still under warranty. now i am off warranty and the case is still chasing me. I am wondering if you can help me out.

This is a product defect that has no identifiable fix. Dell/Alienware is not going to fix the problem, and I suspect they do not know what to do to rectify the problem or they would have already fixed it with a motherboard revision. Going back to the RealTek audio chipset would have been the most logical fix, since the M18xR1 has zero issues with the audio. All they can do is replace the motherboard with another that will most likely have the exact same problem. If I were a betting man, I would bet Creative's audio chipset is the source of the problem because other laptop brands (non-Dell) with Sound Blaster Recon3Di chipsets have similar issues.

I'm on my third M18xR2 motherboard and all three of them have had this problem. My last was replaced out of warranty at my own expense. The audio amplifier chip for the external audio ports caught on fire. Whether or not that is related to the audio drop-out problem or not, I do not know. Could be merely a coincidence. In spite of this defect, I still consider my M18xR2 to be the best laptop ever made, followed closely by my M18xR1; it being the second best laptop ever made.