Most of the motherboards on the market are equipped with an integrated audio controller. This is quite convenient and the needs of most users can satisfy in full. Finding out how to disable the integrated sound card in BIOS is usually required for those who need to connect an external audio device from a third-party manufacturer. It turns out that simply inserting it into the appropriate slot on the system board and connecting the necessary connectors is not enough. The computer stubbornly continues to use the internal audio device. In order for the PC to finally understand what is required of it, it needs to be helped. This is done using BIOS.
To understand how to disable the integrated sound card in BIOS, you need to distinguish between the three main types of these firmware: AWARD, AMI, and modern UEFI. Despite the fact that the latter has almost replaced the others from the IT market, they still remain relevant, so it’s worth considering them too.
With the deactivation of the built-in audio in any of the BIOS versions, the user should not have any special difficulties, since all elements of the microprograms are competently structured, located in accessibility, and are largely identical.
How to disable the integrated sound card in BIOS AWARD?
On any computer, BIOS is called at the initial stages of PC boot. Entering AWARD is mainly done by pressing the Del key, however, the use cases and function keys are also possible - from F1 to F12. In any case, the system displays a prompt.
After logging in, you need to find the Integrated Peripherals section, go to it by pressing Enter, and then change the parameter to Disable in the Onboard Audio Function section. With these simple steps, the user can turn off the sound card in the BIOS. As a rule, inexperienced beginners may have difficulties, so you can use the tips. They are located at the bottom of the screen and contain basic navigation information. Exit with saving settings - F10 key and confirmation of user changes.
How to disable the integrated sound card in AMI BIOS?
To enter the AMI BIOS, you can use the same keys or their combinations as AWARD. The user will not be deprived of a hint either. The required parameter is located in the Advanced block (depending on the firmware version it may be called differently, but the word Advanced will be present there): this is Onboard Devices Configuration, inside which you need to set the Disabled attribute opposite the line with the words Onboard and Audio. Exit with saving user settings is carried out similarly to BIOS from AWARD.
Disabling embedded audio in UEFI
UEFI is a full-fledged graphical add-in and allows you to both disable the built-in sound card in BIOS, and get access to almost all the settings of the devices installed in the computer. The advanced settings mode is called up by pressing F7, after which you need to open the already familiar Onboard Device Configutarion section. Next, you will need to go to the section that most often bears the name of the manufacturer of the audio chip installed in the board. Here you need to deactivate the parameter with the word Audio. To exit with saving the changes made to the parameters, use the F10 key.