Why Realtek Audio Driver Not Working After Windows 10 Update?

Windows 10 updates are the way to resolve many bugs and errors. These updates are also necessary to avoid any security breaches by installing new patches. But sometimes, these updates can create new problems instead of solving the existing ones. Realtek audio driver issues are one such issue. 

After installing the recent Windows 10 update, numerous users have reported having problems with their Realtek audio driver. The audio driver either doesn’t function at all or functions inconsistently. Audio is a crucial component of the overall user experience, so it can be very frustrating.

Why Realtek Audio Driver Not Working After Windows 10 Update?

It could be due to incompatible driver versions, outdated drivers, Incomplete Windows updates, or some other issue. Realtek provides additional support for your system’s audio. Moreover, Windows updates change many other settings that could indirectly affect the Realtek audio driver. 

Some intel motherboards have custom audio drivers for their motherboards that the manufacturer does not provide. But some motherboards have built-in Realtek audio support. You will need to download the Realtek driver from the Intel website for those motherboards.

Outdated Realtek Version: It’s possible that the latest update to Windows 10 has made the Realtek audio driver no longer work. By visiting the official website of Realtek, you will be able to check for any available updates.

Incompatible Version: If you use a version of the Realtek audio driver that isn’t compatible with Windows 10, the driver might not work right after you install the Windows 10 update. You can find out if your driver is compatible by going to Realtek’s website and searching for the model of your specific driver there.

Incomplete Windows Update: The Windows 10 update was not finished properly, and some files may be missing. It can also cause the Realtek audio driver to stop working. 

Hardware Issues: In some rare cases, the hardware itself might be the reason why the Realtek audio driver is not working. Like if you switched to other speakers, and Realtek is not detecting them. Or the headphone jack needs to be seated properly.

Update the Realtek audio driver

Checking to see if a more recent version of the Realtek audio driver is the first thing on your to-do list. To do this, you can visit the official website of Realtek and check for any new updates. If there is an updated driver available, download and install it.

Automatic Update – Via Device Manager 

This method is very convenient. It would be best if you have a fast working internet connection. Device manager is the program which lets you manage all the drivers installed on your computer. You can use it to update or uninstall drivers or even disable them altogether. To update the Realtek Drivers,

• Right-click on the windows start menu icon and select from the list. 
• Now navigate to “Sound, video and game controller” and expand it.
• You will see the Realtek Audio Driver; right-click on it to open the file.

• Select “Update Driver” from the list.

Manually Update

A manual update requires you to go to the manufacturer’s website and download the updated driver files. Then you have to install it on your computer. This method is a bit complicated and time-consuming. But it is the only way to update your driver if no updated version is available.

• First, uninstall the previous version of the Realtek audio driver from the “Device manager>Sound, video and game controller.”

• Go to the official website of Realtek and look for your driver model.
• Now select the updated Realtek driver from the list and download it.
• Once the file is downloaded, open it and install the driver.
• Restart your computer so the changes can take effect.

Roll back to the previous version of the driver

If you just updated your Realtek audio driver and then started having problems, it’s likely that the new driver doesn’t work with your system. In such a case, you can roll back to the previous version of the driver. To do this, follow these steps:

• Open the “Device Manager.”
• Scroll down and expand the “Sound, video and game controllers” section to access list.
• Right-click on the “Realtek audio driver” and select “Properties”.

• Go to the “Driver” section and click on the “Roll Back Driver” button to bring back the previous driver version.

• Follow the instructions to complete the process.

Update Windows Installer

If you have tried from all the above methods but still need them to work, you can try updating your Windows 10 installation. It will install any missing or corrupt system files that could be causing the problem. To do this, follow these steps:

• Press the “Windows + I key” to open the “Settings app.”
• Go to “Update & Security.”

• Click on the “Check for updates” button.
• Windows will now check for and install any available updates.
• After updating Windows, restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.

Disable Audio Spatial Sound

Windows 10 includes a feature called “audio spatial sound,” which enables users to have an immersive, three-dimensional audio experience. You will have the ability to hear the audio coming from a variety of directions, which will result in a more realistic soundscape. 

You can try turning off this feature to see if the issue is resolved or if it turns out to be the cause of the problem. To do this, follow these steps:

• Right-click on the volume icon on the lower right corner of your windows 10 taskbar. 
• Here go to “Sound” to open the audio settings.

• Once you are in settings, right-click on “Speaker or Realtek” drivers and open “Properties.”

• Go to the “Spatial Sound” tab and select “Off” from the file.

Tips To Avoid This Issue In The Future

Sometimes we accidently misconfigure the settings leading to such issues. Here are some tips that you can follow to avoid this issue in the future:

• Do not install beta or unverified drivers on your system.
• Before installing new drivers, you should always create a restore point first. It will allow you to roll back to the previous driver if the new one is not compatible with your computer’s hardware.
• By ensuring that your installation of Windows 10 is always up to date, you will prevent any system files from being missing or corrupted, which could be the root of the issue.
• Make sure all of your drivers have the most recent updates to prevent any problems. It is possible to use driver updater tools such as Driver Easy to automatically update all of your drivers with just a few clicks.

Conclusion

If you are facing problems with your Realtek audio driver after updating to Windows 10, you can try any of the methods mentioned above. The Realtek driver mostly gets outdated with the new Windows update; that’s why you face the Realtek audio driver error. I hope this article will help you to solve this problem.