[FIX] No Sound Effects if Installed on External Drive

[HalestormXV]

I know this is an old issue that has been around since Oldrim. However it still comes up Frequently in 2020 to those still playing Skyrim or just getting back into it. The issue is that Skyrim is "expected" to be on your "master boot drive" aka your drive where the OS is. Many people don't do that and if you are like myself I keep all my games and programs on an external or alternate interal SSD or HDD. Anyway there are two fixes to these missing sound effects. I only use the symlink fix however I have heard good things about the Virutal Drive fix.

So in an effort to answer any issues relating to this problem i create this thread which will simply link to the two different fixes.

Here is your create Virtual Drive fix:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/tmbp-15-2016-bootcamp-skyrim-sound-issues.2017476/page-4#post-27011251

Here is your symlink fix:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/489830/discussions/0/3211505894129070679/

This will generally fix your sound issue. However if you are like me you will also run into no Shouts, no Weapon Swings, No Grunts etc. That is because these effects are located in three different files. You must make sure to symlink the following:

Skyrim - Sounds
Skyrim - Voices_en0
skyrim.esm (THE WHOLE DIRECTORY)

Yes I use mods, yes I use Audio Overhauls, Texture Overhauls and all that stuff. But these three (3) files seem to be the only way to completely remedy the missing SFX issues. At least it works for me. Hope it helps.

[Vyvyvn]

It doesn't have to be on the master boot drive at all. My game's been on D or E in the past with no issues whatsoever.

There are two things this usually turns out to be instead:

(1) The Windows 10 mixer is set to '0' for Skyrim sometimes requiring one to open that mixer in-game and set the volume appropriately.

(2) User's game is expecting a 5.1 or 7.1 setup but the user only has stereo meaning they never hear sounds meant to play in the center channel.

[DocValentine2]

Originally posted by King for a Day:

It doesn't have to be on the master boot drive at all. My game's been on D or E in the past with no issues whatsoever.

There are two things this usually turns out to be instead:

(1) The Windows 10 mixer is set to '0' for Skyrim sometimes requiring one to open that mixer in-game and set the volume appropriately.

(2) User's game is expecting a 5.1 or 7.1 setup but the user only has stereo meaning they never hear sounds meant to play in the center channel.

Sorry for the sudden thread revive but this is the only time I've seen this mentioned, how would one go about fixing their setup in 2? Is it a simple realtek audio driver I can download? I've had this sound issue for a long time and really want to get back into Skyrim but the missing audio drives me insane.

Edit: tried both of these to no luck, sadly.

[KileSov117]

Sorry for the sudden thread revive but this is the only time I've seen this mentioned, how would one go about fixing their setup in 2? Is it a simple realtek audio driver I can download? I've had this sound issue for a long time and really want to get back into Skyrim but the missing audio drives me insane.

Edit: tried both of these to no luck, sadly. [/quote]

How did you go about fixing the surround to stereo issue?

[Vlad 254]

See the "Sound" section of this guide
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2266129651

there are also some steps to help you navigate the settings.