Like any operating system, Windows 11 relies on drivers to ensure optimal performance and audio drivers play a crucial role in delivering quality sound. This article will guide you on how to update audio drivers in Windows 11.
In addition to improving performance and sound quality, updating Windows 11 audio drivers can also fix bugs and compatibility issues, add support for the latest audio hardware and technologies, protect your system from security threats, and enhance the features and settings of your audio devices. Here’s how to do it.
Method 1: Use Device Manager to Manually Update Audio Drivers
Device Manager is a built-in Windows utility with a centralized interface for managing and updating hardware components. Users can efficiently locate and manually update audio drivers by navigating the intuitive menu. Follow the below-mentioned steps.
Step 1: Press the Windows key on your keyboard, type Device Manager, and click Open.
Step 2: In the Device Manager, scroll down to ‘Sound, video and game controllers’ and click on it.
Step 3: Right-click on your audio card from the expanded menu and select the Update driver option.
Step 4: In the Update driver modal, select ‘Search automatically for drivers.’
Windows will now search for the latest available driver for your sound card. If it finds a new driver, follow the on-screen instructions to install it. However, if you don’t see an available update, you must be rocking the latest sound drivers on your computer already.
Also Read: Best ways to view Windows update history in Windows 11
Method 2: Use Windows Update to Update Sound Drivers
Utilizing the built-in Windows Update feature is convenient to ensure you have the latest audio drivers. This process simplifies maintaining your system’s audio functionality, as Windows Update automatically identifies and installs the most recent driver updates released by Microsoft. Follow the instructions below.
Step 1: Press the Windows key on your keyboard, type Settings, and click Open.
Note: Alternatively, you can quickly press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open Windows Settings.
Step 2: Go to Windows Update.
Step 3: Now, click the ‘Check for updates’ button on the right pane.
Step 4: If an update is available, click the Download now button to download and install it.
Note: Depending on the size of the update and the speed of your internet connection, the update may take a few minutes to an hour to download and install.
Once you have installed the latest Windows update, restart your computer. Once you are back, all existing drivers, including audio drivers (such as Realtek audio drivers), will be updated.
If none of the methods mentioned above help you find the latest driver for your audio device, the following method will help.
Also Read: How to stop a specific Windows update from installing
Method 3: Download the Latest Drivers From Manufacturer’s Website
Unlike generic drivers bundled with the operating system, the manufacturer-specific drivers are tailored to your audio hardware. Navigating to the official website will get you the latest and compatible drivers, improve audio functionality, fix potential issues, and ensure a seamless and optimized audio experience.
Below are links to the driver download pages for some of the most popular PC manufacturers.
- Lenovo: You can find the latest audio drivers for your Lenovo PC by entering your product name or serial number or using the detect product option.
- HP: You can download the audio drivers for your HP PC by selecting your product from the below link or using the HP Support Assistant tool.
- Dell: You can update your PC’s audio drivers using the Dell Update application or entering your service tag or product ID.
- Acer: You can download the audio drivers for your Acer PC by entering your serial number, SNID, or model number.
- Asus: You can find the audio drivers for your Asus PC by selecting your product from or using the Asus Live Update utility.
The following method may be helpful if you have trouble navigating the official website to download the latest sound driver.
Method 4: Download the Latest Drivers From Third-Party Tools
Unlike conventional methods, third-party tools such as Driver Pack, Driver Easy, and so on offer a convenient alternative to obtaining audio drivers quickly and efficiently. These tools simplify the driver update process by automating scans and offering one-click updates. However, exercising caution and selecting reputable tools is crucial to avoid potential security risks.
Below are some tools we recommend:
- Driver Pack: This tool can automatically scan and update outdated drivers, create restore points, and download drivers from within the program. It supports over 6 million drivers from over one thousand brands.
- Driver Easy: This tool can schedule driver scans and updates, backup and restore drivers, and uninstall unwanted drivers. It has an extensive database of over 8 million drivers.
- Snappy Driver Installer: This tool can install drivers offline without an internet connection. It also lets you choose which drivers to update and provides detailed information about each driver.
FAQs on Updating Audio Drivers in Windows 11
Yes, by default, Windows 11 is configured to download and install driver updates automatically.
If you encounter problems after updating audio drivers, try rolling back to the previous version. If the issue persists, you may need to uninstall and reinstall the current driver.
Yes, restarting your computer after updating audio drivers is recommended to ensure changes take effect. Some updates may require a system restart for proper functionality.
Get Latest Audio Drivers
Now that you know how to update audio drivers in Windows 11, you can aim to improve performance or hardware compatibility by keeping your audio drivers up-to-date. You may also want to check out these best ways to turn off automatic driver updates on Windows 11.
Last updated on 22 November, 2023
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
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