Sounds do not play or play on only one speaker

Article ID: 2918-QGHC-3562 FAQ ID: NA Created: May 20, 2009

Onboard sound cards, outdated sound card drivers, and USB audio devices are common causes for sound issues in Source games.

Onboard sound card

If you have installed a sound card on a system which has an onboard sound card built in to the motherboard you will need to uninstall the onboard sound card drivers and disable the onboard sound card to ensure it does not interfere with sound playback.

1. Go to the Start button and select Settings then Control Panel
2. Double-click the System icon
3. Select the Hardware tab
4. Click the Device Manager button
5. Browse to the Sound, video and game controllers node and double-click your onboard sound card's icon (i.e. Intel(r) 82801BA/BAM AC'97 Audio Controller)
6. Switch to the Driver in the Properties window
7. Click the Uninstall button and then OK to uninstall your onboard sound card's drivers
8. Switch back to the General tab
9. Under the Device usage: drop-down select Do not use this device (disable) and click OK

Update Sound Card Drivers

Please see the Updating Drivers topic for instructions to determine your hardware model and current driver versions, and update your sound card drivers.

Remove USB sound devices

If sound issues persist after you have disabled your onboard sound card and updated your sound card drivers, please check your system for any USBabled audio devices which may be causing interference. (This includes any USB headphones, microphones, or other audio playback or recording devices)

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