Audio balance problems on Windows 10 with Realtek drivers

My setup:
MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX
Windows 10 64-bit (18363.83)
Speakers in back audio-port, headphones in front

The problem:
Audio balance is wrong on all audio devices plugged into the PC. Specifically, the left speaker/headphone is lacking in bass and other deep sounds. So the problem is unfortunately not solvable by just adjusting the balance. (This also happens when I use an USB-adapter for the headphones, so it is not the audio-ports that are the problem.)

The story so far:
I bought and assembled my PC in January. Sometime last month, the problem suddenly appeared. I googled extensively on the problem and found a few (very few) cases with a similar problem. By following the various fixes from these various cases, I eventually solved the problem by uninstalling my Realtek Audio Driver and installing an older version. This worked for about a week. Then the problem appeared again. I once again ran through the fixes, fiddling with audio settings, and uninstalling and reinstalling various drivers. Suddenly, on a PC restart, the problem was solved again. But, as you may have guessed, it is back.

So, without having any knowledge on the subject, I believe the problem is somehow connected with Win10 and the Realtek Audio Drivers.
Anyone encounter a similar problem?

Since it happens with both analog output for speakers and the digital for USB headphones it really eliminates the Realtek audio.
The USB is seeing the same digital audio that the Realtek is seeing, thus it would appear to be something other than a Realtek problem.

When you use a USB device such as a USB Headset, the Headset takes the digital audio and converts it to analog (has its own sound card).

Where or what is causing this, I can't say.

Thanks for the feedback. I assumed it was driver-related, since messing with those can temporarily solve the problem.

I should also mention that among the fixes I've looked is this TenForums thread: Realtek Audio Balance Problem

It describes pretty much the same problem as me, but ultimately the fixes proposed in that thread didn't work for me.

What audio does not balance? Is it games (all games?), internet streaming music? or any audio?

fireberd said:

What audio does not balance? Is it games (all games?), internet streaming music? or any audio?

As far as I can tell, all audio.

I have no idea what would cause both analog and digital to have the problem on all audio. I'm not up on Ryzen systems. Sorry.

KoreanJesus said:

My setup:
MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX
Windows 10 64-bit (18363.83)
Speakers in back audio-port, headphones in front
The problem:
Audio balance is wrong on all audio devices plugged into the PC. Specifically, the left speaker/headphone is lacking in bass and other deep sounds. So the problem is unfortunately not solvable by just adjusting the balance. (This also happens when I use an USB-adapter for the headphones, so it is not the audio-ports that are the problem.)

The story so far:
I bought and assembled my PC in January. Sometime last month, the problem suddenly appeared. I googled extensively on the problem and found a few (very few) cases with a similar problem. By following the various fixes from these various cases, I eventually solved the problem by uninstalling my Realtek Audio Driver and installing an older version. This worked for about a week. Then the problem appeared again. I once again ran through the fixes, fiddling with audio settings, and uninstalling and reinstalling various drivers. Suddenly, on a PC restart, the problem was solved again. But, as you may have guessed, it is back.

So, without having any knowledge on the subject, I believe the problem is somehow connected with Win10 and the Realtek Audio Drivers.
Anyone encounter a similar problem?

Hi KoreanJesus, welcome to Ten Forums.

Above you have described correcting this problem twice. Was the fault corrected for both the speaker connection and the USB connection?

A quick update: The problem comes and goes now, without any actions by me. Sometimes it lasts minutes, sometimes hours. I haven't identified anything that triggers it yet.

I think I'll try re-installing Windows to see if that somehow fixes it.

W10 Tweaker said:

Above you have described correcting this problem twice. Was the fault corrected for both the speaker connection and the USB connection?

As per the other part of this post, it seems that I may not have fixed anything myself, but as far as I can tell, the problem persists for both the speaker connection and the USB connection.

KoreanJesus said:

A quick update: The problem comes and goes now, without any actions by me. Sometimes it lasts minutes, sometimes hours. I haven't identified anything that triggers it yet.

I think I'll try re-installing Windows to see if that somehow fixes it.



As per the other part of this post, it seems that I may not have fixed anything myself, but as far as I can tell, the problem persists for both the speaker connection and the USB connection.

I thought I had this problem till i stop listening to headphone foe a week then bam what do yo know it was my ears because i have headphones on everyday your, ears need a break trust me