Update Audio drivers in Windows
Applies To
Keeping your audio drivers up to date helps ensure that sound plays correctly on your device. Updated drivers can fix issues such as no sound, distorted audio, crackling noises, or problems with microphones and headsets.
Update audio drivers using Windows Update (Recommended)
Windows Update is the recommended way to get the latest audio drivers.
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Select Start > Settings >Â Windows Update.
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Select Check for updates.
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If audio driver updates are available, install them.
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Restart your PC to apply the updates.
Audio driver updates are often included as optional or recommended updates and install automatically with Windows updates.
Update audio drivers using Device Manager
If Windows Update doesn’t install a newer audio driver, you can check manually.
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Select Start, type Device Manager, and then select Device Manager.
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Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
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Right‑click your audio device, and then select Update driver.
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Select Search automatically for drivers.
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Follow the on‑screen instructions.
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Restart your PC after the update completes.
If Windows reports that the best driver is already installed, a newer version may still be available from your device manufacturer.
Reinstall the audio driver (recommended if updating doesn’t help)
If updating the audio driver doesn’t resolve the issue, reinstalling the driver can refresh the installation and fix problems caused by corrupted or incomplete drivers.
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Select Start, type Device Manager, and select it from the results.
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Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
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Right-click your audio device, and then select Uninstall device.
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If prompted, confirm the uninstall.
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Restart your PC.
After your PC restarts, Windows automatically reinstalls the audio driver.
Get the latest audio driver from the device manufacturer
Some audio drivers are provided directly by the PC or audio device manufacturer. This option is useful if audio issues started after a Windows upgrade or if generic drivers don’t resolve the problem.
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Go to your PC manufacturer’s support website.
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Search for your device model.
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Download the latest audio driver for Windows 11.
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Install the driver by following the manufacturer’s instructions.
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Restart your PC.
If sound problems persist after updating your audio drivers, try additional troubleshooting steps in Fix sound or audio problems in Windows.
Support for Windows 10 has ended on October 14, 2025
After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide free software updates from Windows Update, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10. Your PC will still work, but we recommend moving to Windows 11.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Updating audio drivers helps maintain sound quality and prevents issues such as missing audio, low volume, or microphone problems. Windows can install updated audio drivers automatically, or you can update them manually.
Update audio drivers using Windows Update (Recommended)
Windows Update is the recommended way to get the latest audio drivers.
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Select Start > Settings >Â Update & Security > Windows Update.
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Select Check for updates.
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Install any available updates.
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Restart your PC.
Audio driver updates are commonly delivered through Windows Update.
Update audio drivers using Device Manager
If Windows Update doesn’t install a newer driver, check Device Manager.
-
Select Start, type Device Manager, and then select Device Manager.
-
Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
-
Right‑click your audio device, and then select Update driver.
-
Select Search automatically for drivers.
-
Follow the on‑screen instructions.
-
Restart your PC after the update completes.
If Windows says the best driver is already installed, a newer driver may still be available from the manufacturer.
Reinstall the audio driver (recommended if updating doesn’t help)
If updating the audio driver doesn’t resolve the issue, reinstalling the driver can refresh the installation and fix problems caused by corrupted or incomplete drivers.
-
Select Start, type Device Manager, and select it from the results.
-
Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
-
Right-click your audio device, and then select Uninstall device.
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If prompted, confirm the uninstall.
-
Restart your PC.
After your PC restarts, Windows automatically reinstalls the audio driver.
Download the latest audio driver from the manufacturer
Some audio drivers are provided directly by the PC or audio device manufacturer. This option is useful if audio issues started after a Windows upgrade or if generic drivers don’t resolve the problem.
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Visit your PC manufacturer’s support website.
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Find your device model.
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Download the latest audio driver for Windows 10.
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Install the driver by following the provided instructions.
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Restart your PC.
If updating the audio driver doesn’t resolve the issue, see Fix sound or audio problems in Windows for further troubleshooting steps, including reinstalling the audio driver or running the built‑in audio troubleshooter.
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