If you use the Realtek audio configuration software and the front audio ports aren't working on your computer, this will likely solve the issue.

My problem was that no sound came out of anything I plugged into the front speaker, no sound was recorded from them, they would work for extremely brief periods of time, and they weren't being recognized as being plugged in on the audio configuration utility (normally, they light up when they're plugged in).

Here are the steps that may fix your problem:

1. Open Realtek Audio HD Manager
It's usually in the bottom right hand corner of your task bar

If not, you need to find it in control panel, usually by selecting start > control panel, then open Realtek Sound Effect Manager


2. Select the Audio I/O tab towards the top of the Realtek window
3. Click the small wrench next to "ANALOG"
4. Select "Disable front panel jack detection"
I know it sounds weird to disable the detection, that's what I thought.


Click to enlarge

After doing that, try a few different settings, such as speaker/headphone for the jack you think or know you have your speaker or microphone plugged in to, make sure the front ports are turned all the way up in the mixer and not muted... Make sure your normal audio controller (the one standard with windows) doesn't have anything muted.

Information that may be of help to some people:

My audio configuration as of this article date:
Realtek Audio Driver Version 5.10.00.5345
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c
Audio Controller: HD Audio
Audio Codec ALC883
Language Auto

Computer Hardware:
Motherboard: ECS KN3 SLI2 Extreme (came with the Realtek audio system)
Computer Case with Front Audio Ports: NZXT LEXA-NP

I searched on and off getting frustrated for around 6 months to find this simple bit of information. I hope this has helped you solve your problem!