after plugging my speakers in, a popup came up with a list of devices and after selecting my audio device I had sound then in the speakers and then in the ear buds. I would assume I have to do this each time I want to use external speakers or ear buds.
You should not have to do it each time. If "Speakers" are selected as the default playback device in the Sound properties (picture below), then audio should come through the laptop's speakers, and when you plug headphones or speakers into the jack then audio should automatically switch to the jack. Then when you unplug from the jack the audio should automatically switch back to the laptop's speakers.
Try using the native Windows driver for testing purposes, to see if the jack is working correctly.
To install the native driver, remove the Realtek driver. Open the Device Manager and expand "Sound, video and game controllers". Right click on the Realtek and select to uninstall. Put a check mark in the option to delete the files, and then ok. When you reboot, Windows will either install its own native driver or another Realtek driver if there were any other versions on the hard drive. So go back to the Device Manager and check for a Realtek driver. Keep uninstalling & rebooting until Realtek no longer appears under Sound Controllers and "High Definition Audio Device" appears in its place.
At that point you will be using the native driver. If the jack works right with that driver then the hardware is okay. Download and install the Realtek driver and test it again. If you still have to click the popup each time then it is a quirk of that driver.
Hello. You can get your drivers by going to the Inspiron 15R 5537 downloads page. Select your operating system (8.1) in the dropdown box. If you navigate away from that page and later return to it you have to re-select your OS in the box.
To get your Realtek audio driver, expand the Audio category and download that driver.
If the headphone jack does not work after installing that driver, please reply back.
JIMCO, My current Realtek High definition Audio is the same driver version 6.01.7023, as listed on the Dell Site. Would you recommend that I reinstall this driver from the Dell Site?
On a side note, I purchased this laptop Jan 10th and I am still troubleshooting it. I think/hope this is my last problem to solve.
JIMCO, I have been working on the this problem for 4 days. I found something in the control panel called Dell Audio and opened this up went to Advanced and after plugging my speakers in, a popup came up with a list of devices and after selecting my audio device I had sound then in the speakers and then in the ear buds. I would assume I have to do this each time I want to use external speakers or ear buds.
"You should not have to do it each time. If "Speakers" are selected as the default playback device in the Sound properties (picture below), then audio should come through the laptop's speakers, and when you plug headphones or speakers into the jack then audio should automatically switch to the jack. Then when you unplug from the jack the audio should automatically switch back to the laptop's speakers."
JIMCO, It looks like the jack is working correctly. "Speakers" are selected as the default playback device in Sound>Playback. When I plug in either speakers or earbuds a little box pops up and asks Which device did you plug in? and the choices are: line in, mic in, speaker out, headset, skullcandy headphone, dellspeaker out, or skullcandy headset." There is also a box that is selected that says ENABLE AUTO POPUP DIALOG WHEN DEVICE HAS BEEN PLUGGED IN." so this could be unchecked and then I would not get the popup. When I disconnect the earbuds or external speakers then the sound reverts back to the laptop speakers.
I think at this point everything is as it should be. When I first posted I had no sound coming through the earbuds or external speakers and now I do.
Jim Coates
4 Operator
•
13.6K Posts
0
January 31st, 2014 05:00
You should not have to do it each time. If "Speakers" are selected as the default playback device in the Sound properties (picture below), then audio should come through the laptop's speakers, and when you plug headphones or speakers into the jack then audio should automatically switch to the jack. Then when you unplug from the jack the audio should automatically switch back to the laptop's speakers.
Try using the native Windows driver for testing purposes, to see if the jack is working correctly.
To install the native driver, remove the Realtek driver. Open the Device Manager and expand "Sound, video and game controllers". Right click on the Realtek and select to uninstall. Put a check mark in the option to delete the files, and then ok. When you reboot, Windows will either install its own native driver or another Realtek driver if there were any other versions on the hard drive. So go back to the Device Manager and check for a Realtek driver. Keep uninstalling & rebooting until Realtek no longer appears under Sound Controllers and "High Definition Audio Device" appears in its place.
At that point you will be using the native driver. If the jack works right with that driver then the hardware is okay. Download and install the Realtek driver and test it again. If you still have to click the popup each time then it is a quirk of that driver.
Jim Coates
4 Operator
•
13.6K Posts
0
January 29th, 2014 19:00
Hello. You can get your drivers by going to the Inspiron 15R 5537 downloads page. Select your operating system (8.1) in the dropdown box. If you navigate away from that page and later return to it you have to re-select your OS in the box.
To get your Realtek audio driver, expand the Audio category and download that driver.
If the headphone jack does not work after installing that driver, please reply back.
Annie70
2 Intern
•
2.7K Posts
0
January 30th, 2014 07:00
JIMCO, My current Realtek High definition Audio is the same driver version 6.01.7023, as listed on the Dell Site. Would you recommend that I reinstall this driver from the Dell Site?
On a side note, I purchased this laptop Jan 10th and I am still troubleshooting it. I think/hope this is my last problem to solve.
Annie70
2 Intern
•
2.7K Posts
0
January 30th, 2014 11:00
JIMCO, I have been working on the this problem for 4 days. I found something in the control panel called Dell Audio and opened this up went to Advanced and after plugging my speakers in, a popup came up with a list of devices and after selecting my audio device I had sound then in the speakers and then in the ear buds. I would assume I have to do this each time I want to use external speakers or ear buds.
Annie70
2 Intern
•
2.7K Posts
0
January 31st, 2014 11:00
"You should not have to do it each time. If "Speakers" are selected as the default playback device in the Sound properties (picture below), then audio should come through the laptop's speakers, and when you plug headphones or speakers into the jack then audio should automatically switch to the jack. Then when you unplug from the jack the audio should automatically switch back to the laptop's speakers."
JIMCO, It looks like the jack is working correctly. "Speakers" are selected as the default playback device in Sound>Playback. When I plug in either speakers or earbuds a little box pops up and asks Which device did you plug in? and the choices are: line in, mic in, speaker out, headset, skullcandy headphone, dellspeaker out, or skullcandy headset." There is also a box that is selected that says ENABLE AUTO POPUP DIALOG WHEN DEVICE HAS BEEN PLUGGED IN." so this could be unchecked and then I would not get the popup. When I disconnect the earbuds or external speakers then the sound reverts back to the laptop speakers.
I think at this point everything is as it should be. When I first posted I had no sound coming through the earbuds or external speakers and now I do.
Thanks for your help.