Troubleshooting Sound Problems on your Alienware Systems

 

 

If the device you are looking for is not shown on the list do the following:

 

1. Play a music file or a video with audio
2. Check the volume is not on Mute

    

   • Click on the  icon at the lower right hand corner of your screen
   • Click on the   icon to mute and unmute the speakers

      

     Muted		Not Muted

      

     Note: A green bar should go up and down, as shown on the picture above, when audio is being played, if the audio is mute or the speakers are disconnected this bar will turn gray.

      

3. Set the correct playback devices

    

   • Right Click on the icon at the lower right hand side of your screen
   • Click Playback devices

      

     All your playback devices such as speakers, digital outputs or your TV should be listed here

   • Right Click on the device you want to play audio
   • Click Set as Default Device
   • Right Click on the  icon at the lower right hand side of your screen
   • Click Playback devices
   • Right Click in the middle of the screen
   • Click Show Disabled Devices and Show Disconnected Devices
   • Right Click on the playback device you need
   • Click Enable

    

4. Check your Speaker/Headphone configuration

    

   • Right Click on the  icon at the lower right hand side of your screen
   • Click Playback devices
   • Right Click on your speakers
   • Click Configure Speakers
   • Follow the setup wizard

    

5. Uninstall the Audio Driver from Programs and Features inside Windows Control Panel

    

   It will be called Realtek Audio, Sound Blaster Recon 3Di or Alienware Audio depending on yuour system model

6. Make sure you BIOS is up to date. Follow our article on How to run a BIOS update on an Alienware Computer 
7. Download and install the latest Audio Driver from our Drivers Page
8. Try headphones or other set of speakers
9. Check that your speakers are properly connected. Check the specifications for your system in out article Top Solutions for your Alienware  article

1. Check your Speaker/Headphone configuration

    

   • Right Click on the  icon at the lower right hand side of your screen
   • Click Playback devices
   • Right Click on your speakers
   • Click Configure Speakers
   • Follow the setup wizard

    

2. Make sure you BIOS is up to date. Follow our article on How to run a BIOS update on an Alienware Computer 
3. Download and install the latest Audio Driver from our Drivers Page
4. Try headphones or other set of speakers
5. Check that your speakers are properly connected. Check the specifications for your system in out article Top Solutions for your Alienware  article

Users must also know that in Alienware there are different music modes:

• Alienware mode (Gaming mode) has enhanced sounds effects and is specially designed for gaming purpose.  Certain music when played under gaming mode is susceptible to slight distortions due to the enhanced sound effects.
• Music mode is designed especially for music playing.

 
If a user encounters speaker distortions, please inform the customer of the different modes, and advise to change to the mode specific to their activity. Default mode in the system is set as Alienware mode for gaming purpose, so if a customer's general usage is to listening to music,  you may suggest to set the mode to Music mode instead.

Step1 : Boot up windows system and open Alienware Sound Center


Step2: switch the mode to one that matches customer’s activity.

Run a Microphone Diagnostic First

Run Diagnostic

1. Right Click on the  icon at the lower right hand side of your screen
2. Click Recording devices
3. Right Click on your microphone or headset
4. Click Set as default device
5. Right Click on your microphone or headset
6. Click Properties
7. Go to the Levels tab
8. Adjust the levels to your needs and clikc Ok when you are done