How to Perform 5.1 Surround Sound Test on Windows 10

Though there are new advancements in sound technologies these days, some applications are providing stereo only. When you receive stereo output, you may sometimes face difficulties in determining whether your Windows 10 5.1 surround sound is working well or not. This technology delivers megabit audio streams, and multichannel but some incompatibilities in Windows 10 could make the feel of 5.1 more trouble than its worth. If you do not know how to configure and perform a 5.1 surround sound test, this article will help you a lot.

How to Perform 5.1 Surround Sound Test on Windows 10

How to Perform 5.1 Surround Sound Test on Windows 10

If you want to perform Windows 10 5.1 surround sound then, we have shown a step by step procedure here. But before going through the steps go through the next section to know about 5.1 surround sound test.

All You Need to Know About 5.1 Surround Sound Test

  • If you set the surround system correctly, the Windows 10 5.1 surround sound will enhance the range of effects which contributes greatly to the soundtrack atmosphere of a movie.
  • If you use the 5.1 surrounded system in gaming, you will be able to trace the enemy’s location easily and you will also notice their actions based on the sound they make.
  • The built-in speaker in your Windows 10 device allows you to test Windows 10 5.1 sound system as the previous versions do.
  • Before going into the part where you learn how to set up 5.1 surround sound on pc Windows 10, it is necessary to be sure that you have set the surround system correctly.
  • To use all listed channels, you have to configure the 5.1 surround sound test system properly as listed in this article, and this ensures you get the best quality.
  • In Windows 10, users can enjoy great audio listening and a great media experience, especially users who prefer an atmospheric soundtrack.
  • In some cases, users might encounter issues in configuring the Windows 10 5.1 surround sound. If you encounter some issues while configuring it, here is a full guide on how to do a Windows 10 5.1 surround sound test.

How To Set Up 5.1 Surround Sound on Windows 10 PC

You are more likely to get stereo output from your laptop or PC until you configure the 5.1 channels in Windows 10 properly after connecting the hardware. Today, not all the onboard soundcards are configured for a 5.1 surrounded signal but desktops with newer motherboards have this usually on low ends also but laptops don’t get those.

Note: You have to remember that your sound card must have 5.1 surround support in order to get 5.1 output on your device. In addition to this, you have to make sure that all the wires and cords are connected to the device properly and also check that your sound card driver is up to the latest version as instructed in Part 1.

Step 1: Update Sound Card Drivers

You are going to enjoy the high sound quality of your device. So, you must make sure that all components of audio devices are updated to the latest and are up to date. This includes sound cards in Device Manager. Follow the below-mentioned steps to update sound cards in your Windows 10 device.

1. Hit the Windows key and type device manager, and click on Open.

open device manager

2. Double-click on Sound, video and game controllers to expand it.

3. Then, right-click on the sound card to which your 5.1 surround setup is connected.

4. As a next step, then select the Update driver option.

select the Update driver option. How to Perform 5.1 Surround Sound Test on Windows 10

5. Click on the Search automatically for drivers option.

Click on the Search automatically for drivers option

6. If there are any pending updates to be downloaded to your device, your computer will automatically install them. Once this process completes, exit Device Manager.

Once you have updated your sound cards, you can enable Windows 10 5.1 sound cards as instructed in the next section.

Also Read: What is NVIDIA Virtual Audio Device Wave Extensible?

Step 2: Enable Windows 10 5.1 Surround Sound

The quality of the onboard Windows 10 5.1 sound card will be sub-standard. But in reality, most of the onboard sound solutions will not produce an output of true 5.1 sound. If you prefer quality, then use a dedicated soundboard.

1. Press the Windows key and type Run. Then click on Open.

open run dialog box from windows search bar

2. Type mmsys.cpl and hit Enter key to open the Sound window.

Type mmsys.cpl and hit Enter to open the Sound Properties window. How to Perform 5.1 Surround Sound Test on Windows 10

3. Go to Playback and select the playback device that delivers 5.1 surround sound output.

Go to Playback and select the playback device that delivers 5.1 surround sound output

4. Once you have selected your playback device with Windows 10 5.1 sound card support, click on Set Default followed by Configure button.

5. Now, select 5.1 Surround in the Speaker Setup window.

Note: If you find many 5.1 Surround entries, then analyse the position of your speaker depicted on the right side of the same window and select which one suits you.

speaker setup. How to Perform 5.1 Surround Sound Test on Windows 10

6. Then, select Next.

Note: Here, ignore the Test button. You can use it later after configuring the audio output.

7. In the Speaker Setup window, select all the boxes under Optional speakers.

8. Then, click on Next.

Note: If your setup is incomplete or you are using the set-up without a subwoofer disable the equipment. This ensures you are not leaving any vital audio content.

9. Then, click on Full-range speakers.

10. Select Front left and right and Surround speakers boxes (if applicable) in the Full-range speakers menu and click on Next.

select Full range speakers

Note: As the audio task is split across multiple channels most of the 5.1 systems do not have full range of speakers.

11. After completion of the configuration, click the Finish button.

click the Finish button. How to Perform 5.1 Surround Sound Test on Windows 10

NOTE: If you do have 5.1 speakers but you cannot select 5.1 Surround after hitting the Configure button, this issue is a bug where Microsoft is trying to push Dolby Atmos and Sonic Surround by forcing users off old technology. This issue is widely seen even since Windows 10 was launched but Microsoft didn’t take a step to fix it. Instead, it seems that they have planned obsolescence when it comes to the 5.1 surround system. Many users complained that their 5.1 surrounded system stopped working when they updated to Windows 10 from Windows 7,8 but there isn’t an official fix.

Also Read: Fix No Audio Output Device Is Installed Error

Step 3: Perform 5.1 Surround Sound Test

If you are completed configuring your 5.1 speakers, it is time to test them. Here are a few instructions to perform a 5.1 surround sound test on your Windows 10 PC.

1. Right-click on the Speakers icon at the bottom right corner of the screen and click on Sounds.

Choose Sounds

2. Then, switch to the Playback tab and right-click on the 5.1 speakers which you have previously configured.

3. Now, select the Test option.

select the Test option. How to Perform 5.1 Surround Sound Test on Windows 10

4. You will be hearing test sounds which are coming from each of your 5.1 surround speakers alternatively. Use this sound to test every speaker.

NOTE: You can click the Configure button, and then click the Test button. This shows the virtual representation of which the speaker is tested at that time. By this, you can also ensure that each speaker is connected to the correct position.

You can click the Configure button then click the Test button

5. After testing the speakers, right-click on speaker and select the Stop Testing option.

click on Stop Testing. How to Perform 5.1 Surround Sound Test on Windows 10

NOTE: If you see the error Failed to play test tone while clicking the test button, there might be some error with your surround sound configuration.

Failed to Play Test Tone Error

The methods listed in our guide Failed to Play Test Tone Error will help you sort any errors that arise when you are performing a 5.1 surround sound test.

In addition, you can install Windows Media Feature Pack to fix failed to play test tone error in your Windows 10 computer. N stands for Europe and KN stands for Korea. These versions of Windows have only basic features of the Operating System. it does not include Windows Media Player and other related technologies. If you use Windows 10 N or Windows 10 KN in Korea and the European Union, you should have downloaded the Media feature Pack for the respective versions of Windows, since these versions of computers do not include all the media packs in standard editions. So, if you use N and KN versions of Windows, follow the below-mentioned steps to install the Windows Media Feature Pack.

1. Firstly, find out if you use N or KN versions of Windows. To do so, hit the Windows + I keys together to open Settings.

2. Select the System setting.

click on System. How to Perform 5.1 Surround Sound Test on Windows 10

3. Now, scroll down the right pane and check the Windows version under Windows specifications. If you find N or KN terms, then you have to install Windows Media Feature Pack.

If you find N or KN terms then you have to install Windows Media Feature Pack. How to Perform 5.1 Surround Sound Test on Windows 10

4. Now, navigate to this Windows Media Feature Pack page.

navigate to this Windows Media Feature Pack page

5. Then, scroll down the main screen and select the Download the Media Feature Pack update package now link. Wait for the file to be downloaded.

scroll down the main screen and select Download the Media Feature Pack update package now link

6. Finally, run the installer to add it to your Windows PC. Check if you have fixed Failed to play test tone issue.

Also Read: How to Fix Audio Stuttering in Windows 10

Pro Tip: Additional Sound Tests

If you have confirmed that your speakers are wired and connected properly and the audio plays from where it is supposed to come, let us come through some in-depth testing. Below you will see a collection of tests which allows you to hear if your speaker’s lows, highs, mids and subwoofer are working properly. These samples are not needed to be downloaded and they can be played immediately. You can conduct a comprehensive test by following this video on Dolby Atmos Sound Test. Moreover, if you want to learn more about improving your gaming & streaming experience, then follow the given links to improve Dolby sounds.

NOTE: The quality of the sound which is mentioned above depends on the decoder. YouTube and most video-sharing services do not support DTS or Dolby Digital. If your speaker is capable of outputting Dolby Digital or DTS you should test with DVDs or other media which are encoded and supports these audio formats.

Here below are some of the places where you can download the 5.1 surrounded sample tests.

Additional Windows 10 5.1 Sound Tests

Recommended:

We hope that this guide was helpful and you could perform a 5.1 surround sound test on your Windows 10 device. Feel free to reach out to us with your queries and suggestions via the comments section below.

1 thought on “How to Perform 5.1 Surround Sound Test on Windows 10”

  1. I can setup 5.1 surround settings and test the speakers with all of them working just fine in Windows 10 configuration. But, when it comes to actually hear the same settings during a movie or video, the settings go to stereo.

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