Area-51m R1, sound stopped working. Possibly hardware?

Question

My laptop is about 5 years old and out of warranty. Everything was working fine 2 days ago then the sound just stopped working. No drops or accidents, no new software installs or updates that I can find. When you run the "test" in system settings, the bar moves like it is playing audio but no sound comes out.

I made sure I had the right (only) source selected, I'm not muted, volume is up. I have uninstalled drivers and reinstalled with the most recent. My support assist says there are no updates needed and can't find anything wrong. My firewall is not blocking my files. The Realtek audio driver seems to be working fine.

The only thing that I can think of is to replace the daughter audio board, after checking connections. Anything else that I may be missing?

Thanks.

DELL-ChrisM2 · Answer

Before replacing the 3FK2C audio daughterboard, try this Disable/Enable Audio reset =

* Restart and tap F2 to enter the BIOS --> System Configuration
* Go to Audio
* Disable Audio
* Exit the BIOS saving the change

* Once back into Windows, restart, boot back into the BIOS --> System Configuration
* Go to Audio
* Enable Audio
* Exit the BIOS saving the change

Any change in the issue?

Lilkinsly · Answer

@DELL-ChrisM2​ there is no system configuration audio option.  I don't see any option for enabling or disabling audio in the bios anywhere.

DELL-ChrisM2 · Answer

Strange! The Area-51m R1 Service Manual PDF shows it on page 104 =

DELL-ChrisM2 · Answer

I see now why you do not see that option. I found this on page 101 =

Lilkinsly · Answer

@DELL-ChrisM2​ There is no system configuration option at all.  I also verified that I am using the most recent bios.

Dell-Andru D · Answer

@Lilkinsly Since we've verified the BIOS is up to date, and confirmed that the Audio setting is missing from BIOS, we have one additional step that could help us confirm if there is a hardware failure needing a parts replacement. If you haven't already, we should run the hardware diagnostic for the speakers from the One Time Boot Menu. To do this we will:
Power the unit ON and tap the F12 key repeatedly
Once in the menu, select the Diagnostic option

The Quick Test will begin, but this does not test audio, so we will need to hit the Esc key to cancel the Quick Test

Once ended, we should see an option to select Advanced Test

In the Advanced screen, it will list all of the individual hardware components on the machine

Be sure only the Audio option is selected, and please initiate that test

If audio is heard, then that tells us the issue lies within Windows/the driver configuration, but if there is no audio, or if the option is missing from the test, that confirms there may be a hardware failure

Hope this helps!

Alienware

Area-51m R1, sound stopped working. Possibly hardware?

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