Everything is hooked up but nothing is working. What should I do? (Windows)

When you troubleshoot issues with a sound card, there are some quick tests that you can complete to rule out potential problems. You can test to make sure that the following components are working correctly and are not the source of the issue:

• Stereo audio cables

• Speakers or headsets

• Sound card

To test your setup components, try the following:

• Use the stereo audio cables, speakers or headsets, and sound card in another setup to see if the problem is with the components or the setup.

• Use a different set of stereo audio cables, speakers or headphones, and sound card in your setup to see if the problem persists. Ideally, you should test a component that you know works in another setup.

When you test your cables, it is recommended that you do the following:

• Test each cable individually.

• Use short cables when you are testing.

When you test the speakers or headsets and sound card, it is recommended that you do the following:

• Press the Windows key + R, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter to open Device Manager. Check to see if your device is listed under Sound, video and game.

• If you do not see the sound card in Device Manager please see this FAQ for PCI/PCIe expansion cards: https://www.startech.com/en-us/faq/pci-pcie-cannot-boot-os-or-detect-windows
  or this FAQ for USB devices: https://www.startech.com/en-us/faq/usb-cannot-detect-windows.

• If the device is listed with an error, follow the instructions on the website to reinstall the drivers.

• Make sure that the default playback device in Sound is the sound card that you installed.

To check the default playback device on a computer that is running a version of Windows XP, do the following:

1. Click Start.
2. Click Control Panel.
3. Click Sound and Audio Devices.
4. Click the Audio tab.
5. In the Default device drop-down menu, click the sound card.

To check the default playback device on a computer that is running a version of Windows Vista or Windows 7, do the following:

1. Click Start.
2. Click Control Panel.
3. Click Hardware and Sound.
4. Click Sound.
5. On the Playback tab, right-click the sound card and click Set as Default Device.

To check the default playback device on a computer that is running a version of Windows 8, do the following:

1. Press the Windows key + X.
2. Click Control Panel.
3. Click Hardware and Sound.
4. Click Sound.
5. Click the Audio tab.
6. On the Playback tab, right-click the sound card and click Set as Default Device.