Sound Blaster Errors

You insert your favourite movie CD and realise there is no sound from your laptop speakers. This is a common enough problem and is most likely the result of a problem with your Sound Blaster Z Card. This post offers practical solutions for most Blaster Z Card common errors and will help resolve your sound errors in no time.

Solution to Sound Blaster Z card not detected by your system

Your Windows system may display a message saying, “No Sound device on your computer”.

This error is mainly caused due to missing or corrupt Sound Drivers. To resolve this issue, you need to ensure that Sound Blaster Z card is listed in the Device Manger. Follow the steps  below to check whether your Sound Card is listed in the Device Manager or not.

• Click Start and go to Control Panel
• Click System and Security
• Click Device Manager
• Under Sound, video and game controllers, look for Sound Blaster Z card entry

If the sound card is listed in Device Manager and you see a yellow exclamation mark next to the Sound Blaster Z card entry, it means the problem is related to device drivers.

Note: If the sound card is not listed in the Device Manager, you need to install the Sound Blaster Z card in another PCIe slot. If an additional PCIe slot is not available in your motherboard, you need to install your Sound Blaster Z card in other computer and see if it is detected. If your sound card is detected in the other computer, the PCIe slot on your motherboard is the problem. If the Sound card is not detected in other computer, there is a problem with the Sound Blaster Z card.

Try updating your Sound Card Drivers by visiting the manufacturer’s website. Alternatively, you can try installing Drivers from the CD that is provided with your Sound Card. Install only the latest Sound Card software and then restart the system.

Solution for Mic not functioning

A conflict between the integrated audio chip on your motherboard and your Sound Card may prevent a Mic from functioning when you insert it in the microphone port of Sound Blaster Z card.  Follow the steps below to check if the Sound Card is properly detected and in working order.

• Click Start and go to Control Panel
• Click System and Security
• Click Device Manager
• Under Sound, video and game controllers, look for Sound Blaster Z card entry.
• Click Sound Blaster Z card twice to reveal its Properties. A “This device is working properly” message in the Properties dialog box indicates there is no conflict between devices.
• After you have confirmed that device is working fine, you should disable onboard audio in BIOS to correct the issue. This is how you can do that:
• Access BIOS during startup. Option to disable on-board audio is listed in Integrated Peripherals section in Board.
• Look for name such as “Primary Audio Device”.  If you are unable to find such name look for words such as AC97 or audio
• Select the audio device and use bi-directional arrows to locate and select disable option
• Save changes and exit BIOS

To update your Sound Blaster Z card drivers automatically, click here to go to the sound driver download page and use the ‘download’ button to download our recommended Sound Driver Update Tool and run a free driver scan for your Sound Blaster Z card.