# Computer sound board problem

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-sound-board-problem/659944>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 2, 2013, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-sound-board-problem/659944 "2013-06-02T13:14:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![bmasters1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5e925/32.png) [@bmasters1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bmasters1)\
**Post date:** [June 2, 2013, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-sound-board-problem/659944/1 "2013-06-02T13:14:49Z")

</div>

I have an XPS Dell running Windows Vista 64. A few days ago, my speakers started making a popping static sound. I unplugged them and replugged them, and now there is no sound whatsoever from the audio jack in the back. I can plug it into my headphone jack, and still get sound. I plugged my speakers into a radio, and the speakers are working fine. Could my sound board be bad? If not, what else do I check?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\
**Post date:** [June 2, 2013, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-sound-board-problem/659944/2 "2013-06-02T14:20:09Z")

</div>

> [@bmasters1](#):
>
> I have an XPS Dell running Windows Vista 64. A few days ago, my speakers started making a popping static sound. I unplugged them and replugged them, and now there is no sound whatsoever from the audio jack in the back. I can plug it into my headphone jack, and still get sound. I plugged my speakers into a radio, and the speakers are working fine. Could my sound board be bad? If not, what else do I check?

without knowing your specific model of Dell (“XPS” covers a range of different systems) I’d put these here as possibilities:

1. yes, the sound device could be having a problem; assuming the line-out and headphone out are separate outputs. Note that if your computer is even remotely modern, the sound “card” is unlikely to be a separate card and more likely to be integrated on to the main system board.

2. the 1/8" jack on the back of the PC might have broken. 1/8" jacks are hilariously weak; I’ve lost count of how many I’ve killed due to wear and tear.