Why can I hear only a few audio channels when playing video files?

Question

When I play specific MKV files there is not all the sound. There is actually only the background sound, like a song on the background, but I hear no talking.

The strangest thing is that it is not for all MKV files but for some. I can however not see a difference between the different files.

Solution

This is happenning because you have stereo speakers but that MKV has more than 2 audio channels and the "talking channel" isn't being down muxed to stereo. Go to System Setting/Sound and try to find any configuration related to output mode and change it to Stereo Speakers.

Comments

[atenz]

Which player are you using , try VLC.

[Eric Carvalho]

This is happenning probably because you have stereo speakers but that mkv has more than 2 audio channels and the "talking channel" isn't being down muxed to stereo. Go to System Setting/Sound and try to find any configuration related to output mode and change it to Stereo Speakers.

[bioShark]

@Eric Carvalho cool, it helped me too. You should give your answer for upvote.

[Eric Carvalho]

@bioShark answer posted.

[hybrid]

I had this issue on Windows when I tried playing MKV video on 5.1 channel , this tip helped me find the issue.Adding it here as it might help others. You can solve it by disabling all enhancements from sound settings in control panel.