Realtek audio back panel inputs grayed out

[Sonikku]

I've been getting by just using the HDMI out on my video card to my tv and getting sound through speakers that way. But it's always bugged me how the analog inputs on the back of my motherboard never worked. The real tek device is enabled and even plugging in logitech speakers and making it the primary audio device does nothing. I'm using the latest drivers available too.

Why is it the analog inputs are grayed out but the optical out isn't?

 

[VirtualLarry]

The analog out that the speakers were plugged into, should have lit up. If it didn't, then you are having problems with "jack detection". See if you can disable that. I know that I used to be able to disable jack detection for the front-panel inputs, but I don't remember if you can also likewise disable that for the rear connections.

 

[Sonikku]

I don't see any option anywhere to disable jack detection for anything.

 

[IGemini]

Inputs are grayed out until something is plugged in. And whenever analog speakers are plugged in, there should be a separate tab showing for speakers. (eg. below I use only headphones) There should be an advanced settings link in the front for jack detection but it might only show up if your front panel connector is being used.

Did you switch your default audio device when plugging in the Logitech speakers (especially if the digital was kept plugged in)? The onboard's digital and analog connectors are handled as separate outputs in Windows.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

I think when using HDMI the audio is transported by HDMI and thus it might be assumed no analog is needed.

 

[nerp]

Ugh, Realtek drivers. Have you tried uninstalling them, rebooting them and letting Windows Update pull whatever WHQL versions? That can work sometimes.

Also poke through your BIOS settings, make sure you aren't disabling analog or choosing some kind of setting that might interfere. I know that some boards allow you to designate a mode like digital only or whatnot. On mine, the front headers, if used, can be set to HD or AC97. That might be something like that.

 

[Paperdoc]

Several posts mention jack detection. Just to be sure, they way that works is not obvious and can end up making the jacks non-functional. I'll describe how mine work.

1. Start by unplugging all the audio jack units from the back panel, then reboot. Make sure Windows is set to use the Realtek on-board devices for default audio output and input (recording).
2. Arrange your stuff so you can see your monitor screen and reach the keyboard while also having access to the back panel.
3. Plug in ONE jack - say, the front L/R speakers. Watch the screen. It should pop up a small window saying that it detected something plugged into a particular socket and suggesting what that might be - say, front speakers plugged into the green socket. It asks for conformation or for you to change that and confirm. You MUST respond. If you merely ignore it the window will disappear and NOT put any signal out on that jack, even though it had shown you a default suggestion.
4. With the first jack set that way, proceed one by one with more jacks plugged into sockets and each set properly. When you're done, they all should do what you just told the machine they do.

The "unexpected" aspect of this is that if you let it assume the default setting without actually clicking on the OK button, it does NOT use that. You MUST click a response for each item you plug in.