An out-of-date or damaged audio driver can leave you with no sound, crackling, distorted playback or a microphone and headset that misbehave. Windows can often fetch a newer driver automatically, and when it does not, you can install one yourself. The methods run from easiest to most hands-on, and the final ones cover a new driver that makes things worse.
Get a newer driver through Windows Update
This is the route Microsoft recommends, because Windows picks drivers that match your hardware. Audio drivers often arrive as optional or recommended updates, so look through everything that is offered.
- For Windows 11 use Start > Settings > Windows Update; for Windows 10 use Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Select Check for updates.
- If an audio driver update shows up, install it along with the rest.
- Restart the PC so the new driver takes effect.
Update the driver by hand in Device Manager
If Windows Update has nothing for you, ask Device Manager to look for a driver. Save your work first, since a restart may be needed at the end.
- Open the Start button's right-click menu and select Device Manager.
- Select the arrow next to Sound, video and game controllers to expand it.
- Use the right mouse button on the sound entry (names such as Realtek, Intel or NVIDIA are common) and select Update driver.
- Select Search automatically for drivers then work through the on-screen steps.
- Restart the PC once the update finishes.
Install a driver downloaded from the manufacturer
If Device Manager finds nothing, the PC maker's site may still list a newer version. This also helps if the sound trouble began right after a Windows upgrade. Download drivers only from the official site of your PC or audio hardware maker, never from a random download page.
- Go to the support site of your PC maker and search for your exact model.
- Download the newest audio driver listed for your version of Windows. Make sure it matches the 32-bit or 64-bit type of your system.
- If the download is a compressed folder, extract it and note where the files are.
- If it comes with an installer, run it and follow its instructions. Otherwise, in Device Manager right-click the audio device, select Update driver, then Browse my computer for drivers.
- Select Browse, pick the folder with the extracted files, select OK, then select Next.
- Restart. If Windows reports that The best drivers for your device are already installed, the version you downloaded is not newer than the one in use.
Remove and reinstall the sound driver
A driver that is corrupted or half installed can keep sound broken even after an update. Removing it and letting Windows put it back often clears that up.
- Open Device Manager and expand Sound, video and game controllers.
- Use the right mouse button on the sound entry and select Uninstall device.
- Confirm when asked. The Windows 11 version of the prompt offers a check box named Attempt to remove the driver for this device, and the Windows 10 one calls it Delete the driver software for this device. Tick it if you want the old driver files removed too.
- Restart the PC. Windows installs the audio driver again by itself during startup.
Return to the earlier driver when a new one breaks sound
If audio worked until a driver or Windows update landed, return to the earlier driver. You need to be signed in with an administrator account for this.
- In Device Manager, expand Sound, video and game controllers.
- Use the right mouse button on the sound entry and select Properties.
- Open the Driver tab and select Roll Back Driver.
- Choose a reason if asked, select Yes, and reboot if Windows asks.
Try the driver that comes with Windows
If neither a fresh nor an older driver helps, you can pick Microsoft's generic audio driver from the list already on your PC.
- In Device Manager, right-click the audio device and select Update driver.
- Select Browse my computer for drivers, then Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
- Choose the audio device, select Next, and follow the instructions to finish.