Audio Issues - Out of the Blue

[Crush3d]

Begging for some help here as I am about to go insane.

About an hour ago Realtek Audio Manager popped up and forced me to select options related to my front audio jacks - I have never used them, and certainly didn't touch them today. From that moment on my audio output has stopped working (I have speakers and headphones plugged into the back) - all of these devices are confirmed working (plugged them into my phone).

My motherboard is a P8Z68 V-PRO/GEN3 - no standalone soundcard or anything of the like.

I have scoured the internet looking for a way to fix this as I don't know if the jack just crapped out on me or if some setting has it messed up.. I can't navigate this horrible software UI and the options seem extremely limited and/or don't do anything.

Some screenshots:

I am not sure why my microphone now shows up as a speaker - it is plugged into a USB on the back. Meanwhile my the other speaker icon on the top shows as "not plugged in"..
http/imgur.com/1SLlza2

This program is so worthless - I saw a ton of screenshots with a usable UI - apparently not the version I have..
http/imgur.com/wBymBcp

Please help, can provide additional details as needed. 🙁

 

[Snipergod87]

I would disconnect the front panel audio connectors inside your case and see if that fixes it. (Should be a cable labeled HD Audio) and see if that fixes it. That would show us if either A something is screwy and is detecting that the front panel ports are plugged in, or B that the software is acting up.

 

[corroded]

Um, Windows 10? I had issues w/ sound.

From both the Control Panel and the Device Manager, uninstall the software and the hardware, restart and reload...

 

[Crush3d]

I would disconnect the front panel audio connectors inside your case and see if that fixes it. (Should be a cable labeled HD Audio) and see if that fixes it. That would show us if either A something is screwy and is detecting that the front panel ports are plugged in, or B that the software is acting up.

I looked up an image of the items on the board and saw AAFP and SPDIF_OUT (18 and 19 on the image on the first post here: http/forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?p=21995948). SPDIF_OUT didn't have anything connected to it. AAFP had a small cable called HD AUDIO connected to it but it wasn't connected to anything else. Suffice to say there is nothing on those connections at this point.

 

[Crush3d]

Um, Windows 10? I had issues w/ sound.

From both the Control Panel and the Device Manager, uninstall the software and the hardware, restart and reload...

Yes, Windows 10 - apologies for not providing that information. In any case, I did reinstall the Realtek software (if for nothing else, the hope of getting a better version of the UI) - seems as though nothing changed. Have not gone the resintallation of hardware from Control Panel/Device Manager.. not super familiar on the process behind that.

 

[Crush3d]

I just reformatted my computer - the issue persists - I assume this means my jack got fried? Would buying a sound card be a reasonable, cheap solution?