Windows 11 · Windows

Fix Realtek High Definition Audio Driver Issues in Windows 11

Source-checked About 10 minutes

Answer

Select the correct output, run Windows audio diagnostics, then update, roll back, or reinstall the PC maker's matching Realtek driver.

Guide steps5 steps
  1. Check the selected output
  2. Run the audio troubleshooter
  3. Choose the matching driver action
  4. Reinstall from the PC maker
  5. Test each audio device
  6. If it still does not work

Check the selected output

Open Settings > System > Sound and select the intended speakers or headphones.

Run the audio troubleshooter

Use Get Help to run the audio troubleshooter and follow its recommendations.

Choose the matching driver action

In Device Manager update the audio device, or roll back the driver if the issue began immediately after an update.

Reinstall from the PC maker

Uninstall the audio device and restart. If Windows does not restore working audio, install the signed Realtek package from the PC manufacturer's model-specific support page.

Test each audio device

After restarting, test the speakers, headphones, and microphone that the PC actually provides. If the manufacturer package rejects the hardware, stop and verify the PC model instead of installing a driver from a different model.

Video walkthrough

If it does not work

  • After restarting, test the actual speakers, headphones, and microphone used by the PC. Confirm Device Manager no longer shows an error on the audio device before treating the driver change as successful.
  • Stop if the Realtek package is for a different PC model or hardware ID. Use the computer maker's exact audio package, or roll back the one driver change if sound failed immediately after its update.
Sources and verification

Checked against official documentation on . Scope: Windows.

Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform or app update.

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