Yet another realtek audio problem - no sound on line in

Hi,
I am trying to input/record sound from the line input on my PC (HP Elite G100 Tower). There is no sound, nothing plays on the speakers, Windows Sound meters show no activity, and I cannot record. I do have ok sound from browser and media player on the pc. I have the latest software, drivers and bios installed.

Windows 10 is up to date: version 1909 build 18363.719.

The Realtek drivers have been updated as best I can, but they still show as pretty old (from the powershell script):

Audio device Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0221&SUBSYS_103C18E4&REV_1000
Realtek Audio CODEC : ALC221
The Audio device is controlled by Realtek Audio driver version 6.0.1.8328 with No Integration (Generic)
Proposed legacy HDA driver : FF00
INF needed for installation: hdxcpcold.inf

The Windows driver dialog shows a date of 2017-12-19

I have downloaded the latest cab file from https://www.catalog.update.microsoft...x?q=6.0.8874.1 ,but when I point update driver dialog to the file, windows refuses to install saying the best drivers are already installed. I also tried generic Windows drivers vs the files that HP provides. There was no improvement.

I have also tried two other external usb audio devices (Vantec nba-200u and a Project USB-V) that plug into the pc. Although they show up on Windows Sound, I cannot get any sound out of them either.

Audacity issues the following error when I try to record: "Error opening sound device".

Any ideas on what/how to install better drivers, or what else I might do?

Thanks for the help!

according to the Driverpacks site (drp.su) HWID "HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0221&SUBSYS_103C18E4" is listed in the HDXHPBPC.INF file, not the hdxcpcold.inf file, handyguy.
that realtek powershell script you've been using is not reliable and references the WRONG INF file for that ID on your HP computer (another reason why I don't use it as it is flawed) [and you're telling the Windows Device Manager app to use the wrong INF file - that's why Win10 says that "the best drivers are already installed"; you should be using the HDXHPBPC.INF file instead]

original 6.0.1.8328 Realtek HDA drivers from HP seem to be an FF00 version.

can you run the Realtek HD Audio Manager app and see what options are available?

I have the following ports in Realtek HD Audio Manager on my old HP Pavilion m8417c computer with ID "HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0888&SUBSYS_103C2A6C"



I have something connected to the blue line-in port but at the back of my HP computer.

I am trying to input/record sound from the line input on my PC (HP Elite G100 Tower).

no such HP model exists on their web site. do you mean HP EliteDesk 800 G1 TWR or something similar to it?

It ain't a realtek driver issue if the OP can't even get his USB devices recognized on audacity.

Have you set the privacy setting?

Error opening sound device - Audacity Manual

handyguy said:

I have downloaded the latest cab file from https://www.catalog.update.microsoft...x?q=6.0.8874.1 ,but when I point update driver dialog to the file, windows refuses to install saying the best drivers are already installed. I also tried generic Windows drivers vs the files that HP provides. There was no improvement.

I almost forgot to say that the Realtek HD Audio driver has to be updated thru the Sound, video and game controllers section of Device Manager, NOT the Audio inputs and outputs section as no driver files are used with the input & output ports listed

Yes, sorry, it's an HP Elite 800 G1 tower, and yes I tried to update the driver through the Sound, video and game controllers section of device manager. I have enabled the microphone under privacy, and... It's mostly working now!
Thanks!
The meters in the line in now indicate a signal and audacity can record. However, I cannot hear the sound from line in - the meters on the playback device show no action. If I play back the audacity recording, that I can hear (and see). Same success/limitation with the external usb device.
So close...
Maybe still a driver issue? The RT sound app (called DTS Studio Sound), on the recording experience tab is blank. There is a drop down menu with a single option, microphone.

It's not a driver issue if you have the same audacity problem using multiple audio line-in using different chipsets from different manufacturers using different drivers via different connecting methods (onboard and usb).

We have zero expertise in audacity. You are barking at the wrong tree. The sooner you realize this, the sooner you will find the right answer by going to tech forums that specialize in DAW.

I believe the ramaining issue is a driver issue. Device manager update driver dialog gives me two options when 'let me pick from a list' is selected:
1)High Definition Audio Device and
2)Realtek High Definition Audio
#1 has the remaining sound problem (cannot monitor sound from line in), but shows all the hp sound devices
#2 will monitor line in, but is missing some of the hp sound devices (e.g. speakers in tower).
I download the hdxhpbpc.inf file (as linked above) but windows won't install it, as it says the current driver is the best.
Audacity is working fine now, as are my usb devices. Just cannot monitor live input unless i switch to the available RT driver, which drops some of my sound devices.

I think that DTS is only bundled with HP laptops. Your desktop pc uses a Realtek ALC221, a chip primarily used by laptops. So things got crossed and you end up with a blank DTS item (which you are not supposed to have any way).

Since your audacity problem was solved by the privacy setting, you should go back to your original 8328 driver --- that should get your built-in speakers back.

Hi again; I am on the 8328 driver which provides a working line in monitor, but is missing some devices. The sound manager is DTS. If I switch to the other driver provided by MS dated 2019-09-04 version 10.0.18362.356, I cannot monitor the line in. Also installing this driver generates an error message
With this driver, DTS is gone, and a Windows settings dialog is now the sound app.

Is it missing the built-in speaker only in Audacity? If yes, then it's an audacity problem.