Audio Device - Enable Hidden Devices

How to Enable Hidden Audio Devices in Vista and Windows 7​

   Information

This will show you how to enable hidden disabled audio devices in the Sound Control Panel window so they will be available to use now.

   Note

These now enabled audio devices will also now be available to all programs that allow you to select audio devices.

   Tip

Enabled the Stereo Mix device, if you have this option, will allow you to record all sounds played on your computer using Sound Recorder without a microphone.

Here's How:

1. Open the Control Panel. (Classic View)​

NOTE: Open the Start menu and click on the Control Panel menu button.​

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2. Click on the Sound icon.​

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3. Click on the Recording tab. (See screenshot below step 4)​

NOTE: This will also work in the Playback tab, but there is usually not any hidden audio devices there.​

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4. Right click on a empty area and click on Show Disabled Devices.​

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5. You will now see the disabled audio devices with the arrow pointing down on them. (See screenshot below)​

NOTE: These audio devices will vary depending on the installed audio card or chip you have.​

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6. Right click on each listed disabled audio device that you want to enable and click on Enable. (See screenshot below)​

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7. You will now see this when the audio devices are enabled. (See screenshot below)​

NOTE: You can now change the properties settings on these audio devices to how you want them.​

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8. Click OK to close the Sound window.​

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That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Change a Computer Event Sound in Vista
• How to See the Hidden Devices in Device Manager in Vista
• How to Enable or Disable Sound Recorder in Vista
• How to Uninstall a Device and Device Driver in Vista

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Kyle, and welcome to Vista Forums.

 

[jeffrynov]

Wow you are indeed a valuable asset Shawn good tips

 

[karthik362]

Hi,

I have a similar problem to fannie. Can you please provide me solution.
I have Intel High Definition HDMI sound card installed and is visible in Device Manager.
But the same is not showing up in Manage Audio devices > Sound.

Any pointers how to add the HDMI card in Sounds?

 

[Brink]

Hello Karthik, and welcome to Vista Forums.

That would most likely be listed in the Playback tab in Sounds as a HDMI device instead.

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Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[karthik362]

Hi Shawn,

Thanks. Attached is the snap shot i was talking about.
In Device Manager, i can see Intel High Definition Audio HDMI
In Sounds > Playback, Intel High Definition HDMI is not visible.

Cheers,
Karthik

 

[Brink]

Karthik,

Sure it is. The "Speakers" that you currently have set as default has "High Definition Audio Devie" under it as it's desciption.

 

[karthik362]

Thanks Shawn
But then when i connect Lappy to LCD TV with HDMI cable, there is no sound from TV.

When connected to TV via HDMI cable, I have changed the Sound settings to default to High Definition Audio. Still i am not able to get the Sound from TV.

Any idea how to resolve this?

 

[Brink]

Karthik,

What graphics card/chip do you have?

Do you have the latest video divers installed for it? This is where you'll get the HDMI audio via video from.

 

[karthik362]

I have the below chip:
Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family

And it s updated as well.

 

[Brink]

I have 15.12.75.4.64.1930 shown to be listed as the latest Intel Graphics Media Accelerator driver version at the Intel link below.

Is this the one you have installed?

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Sea...et+Family&ProdId=2800&LineId=1101&FamilyId=39
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[karthik362]

Thanks a lot. I have uninstalled and installed the graphics card again. Its working fine now.

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Karthik. I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted.

 

[kelfro]

Hi Brink,
I am hoping you can help me, too!
First I want to apologize that my system is Windows 7, but my google search for this kind of help landed me here. You had such wonderful and helpful advice I was hoping you would have some for me, too

I tried all the things you've suggested and found a hidden Stereo Mix Sound Card but thats not what I accidentally deleted and it doesn't help. Under the Playback tab it only shows "SPEAKERS Realtek High Definition Audio default device". I can't remember what the other speakers choice, that I deleted, said exactly. But before I deleted it I had to set it as default to make the sound come out of my TV and then when I wanted to use my computer and have sound out of my computer speakers I had to go back into control panel>sound and click it back to the Realtek speakers...quite a pain. Any ideas? Or could it be that my HDMI cable is malfunctioning? Picture quality hasn't changed.

Thank you, Kelly

 

[Brink]

Hello Kelly, and welcome to Vista Forums.

What method did you use to delete it? Did you mean uninstalled in Device Manager?

 

[kelfro]

The speakers were highlighted and I hit the delete button

 

[Brink]

Kelly,

Could you post some screenshots showing where you deleted these at? I'm not aware of any "Delete" option in the "Playback" sound settings.

 

[kelfro]

Well, I don't believe it but, somehow through all my messing around with it last night while reading all the past posts it has fixed itself! It wasn't working last night before I shut down my computer but I just went in to get that screen shot that you asked for and it was there! AND it works perfect...I don't need to go in and change the speakers back and forth to default depending on if I want the sound to come out of my computer or out of my TV! Amazing! Thank you for your help...something I learned from you did the trick!
Kelly

 

[Brink]

That's great news Kelly. Vista may have detected and installed the drivers for them automatically for you.