Windows 10 users have recently reported a "Realtek driver not installing" error message on their PCs. However, Realtek high definition audio is a pre-installed audio service, but it doesn't mean it is free of errors. If you're a victim of this, learning causes and fixes can help you identify the accurate issue and troubleshoot the error. So, without further ado, let us get started. Remember, when checking the issues; make sure you have aware of technical knowledge. Else you can ask for help from customer support.
Part 1: What is Realtek Audio Driver?
Realtek audio driver is one of the most popular audio drivers pre-installed in windows 10. It helps manage the sound, DTS sound system, and Dolby on the computer. Many users are fond of this driver since it improves audio device quality. Uninstalling driver can cause significant sound errors, such as “no audio output device is installed windows 7 Realtek.” Download the Realtek high-definition audio manager to customize your sound experience.
Part 2: Cases and Fixes of Different Realtek Audio Driver Issues
Find causes and fixes of, “no audio output device is installed windows 7 Realtek” on windows 10 promptly.
Common Fixes:
1. Update your audio device
If you’re having audio problems, then updating the audio device can help you resolve the issue. So, here’s how you can do this.
Step 1: Go to the search bar and type audio troubleshooter.
Step 2: Choose “find and fix problems with playing sound” from the results. Then, click on next.
Step 3: Choose the device you want to troubleshoot and then continue through the troubleshooter.
2. Uninstall and Reinstall the Audio Drivers
The outdated audio driver can cause “Realtek audio driver is not showing in device manager.” Thus, uninstalling and reinstalling audio drivers can encounter the problem and fix it for you. To reinstall audio drivers, one needs to complete the following details.
Step 1: Relaunch the device manager and locate “Realtek audio device.”
Step 2: Right-click on the Realtek audio device and select uninstall the device.
Step 3: Click on the “uninstall” confirmation box.
Then, restart your PC. Windows will automatically update the fresh version of drivers.
Check if the “Realtek hd audio manager headphones not working” issue fix.
3. Disable ‘front panel jack detection’ in Realtek audio manager
If “Realtek audio driver is not showing in device manager,” disabling front panel jack detection can resolve the issue. However, you can disable it with the help of using the windows registry editor.
Step 1: Launch the run command by pressing Windows + R keys together.
Then, type “regedit” and click on the OK button.
Step 2: Locate the given part of the registry.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\MMDevices\Audio\Render
Step 3: Expand the render key to the left side of the windows and open properties.
Choose the subkey of every globally unique identifier until you don’t find the output device you want to disable.
Example GUID: {106817ea-5798-4f12-b707-73dfd781ac23}
Step 4: Once you’ve checked GUID, click on it. Next, double-click on the device State DWORD and edit its value.
To disable it, you need to increase the data field value from 1 to 1000000001.
That’s all! If the issue “Realtek audio driver headphones not working” persists, then learn several cases and fixes.
Fix 1: Check the playback device setup and connection
To enjoy the typical sound, you must set the speakers as a default playback device.
Step 1: Right-click on the speaker icon and choose playback device.
Step 2: In the sound window, choose the playback tab and click on the speakers. Then, choose set as the default device.
Step 3: Press on OK button.
Now your speaker is connected. Hopefully, it will resolve the problem.
Fix 2: Check device and driver status in Device Manager.
Step 1: Launch Device manager. Right-click on the devices and select properties.
Step 2: You can check the device status or the status of the problem.
Remember, if your device is working properly, you can see the status like this:
If it is not, then it will look like this-
Fix 3: Check the audio hardware
Use the hardware diagnostics windows tool to perform the audio hardware testing. This ensures the functionality of the audio subsystem, including audio controllers and codecs.
Case 2: Realtek audio driver not showing in device manager
Fix 1: Add the legacy hardware
Device manager allows you to add the legacy hardware in windows 11/10.
Step 1: Launch device manager. Select the device name to which you want to add legacy hardware.
Step 2: Navigate the menu bar and click on action. Then, choose “add legacy hardware” option.
Step 3: Click next from “add hardware” wizard to move to the next window.
Step 4: A pop-up appears; choose the first option as selected below.
Then, tap on the next button, which will take 10 minutes to add legacy hardware.
Fix 2: Restore the BIOS to default.
BIOS is a front panel setting, so you must be accurate with the steps you will perform.
Step 1: Turn on the PC. Press F1 or F10 to get into the BIOS menu.
Step 2: In some PCs like HP, you might see the BIOS as an option to get into settings.
If that is your case, press enter or launch it.
Step 3: Navigate onboard devices configuration in the BIOS menu.
Press the arrow keys to navigate between the options and enter.
Step 4: When you find the option, select front panel type from HD audio to AC97.
Step 5: Save the settings and press ESC to exit the window.
Fix 3: Enable Realtek audio manager at a startup
If you want to enable audio manager at a startup, go to the control panel and navigate it to enable this. Another way you can start Realtek on startup is-
Step 1: Press ctrl + shift + Esc to open the task manager.
Step 2: Click on the startup tab, right-click on the Realtek HD audio manager and choose to enable.
Restart your computer and see the error “Realtek audio not plugged in” is resolved.
Case 3: Realtek audio driver headphones not working
If Realtek audio driver headphones are not working, then try the following methods to enjoy better sound quality.
Fix 1: Plug the headphone in and restart your computer
It’s simple!
Step 1: Plug your headphones into the PC.
Step 2: Choose the restart PC option and check whether they’re working or not.
Fix 2: Enable headphones detection on your PC
Running a hardware troubleshooter can detect headphones not working issue in Windows 10.
Step 1: Press Windows + X keys and select control panel.
Step 2: Enter troubleshooting in the search bar.
Step 3: Select hardware and devices and click on run as administrator.
Next, follow the on-screen details to complete the process.
Fix 3: Enable your playback device
Step 1: Right-click on the speaker’s icon and click on sounds.
Step 2: If you find your headphones are not listed in the playback tab.
Then, choose “ show disabled devices.” Here your devices should show up.
Step 3: Right-click on your headphone and click on enable option.
Step 4: Click ok to save the changes.
Fix 4: Uninstall the IDT audio device
Step 1: Press windows + X key together.
Step 2: Choose control panel from the Pop-up menu.
Step 3: Select programs & features.
Step 4: Navigate the IDT audio driver and select uninstall.
Step 5: Restart your pc and see if the Realtek hd audio manager headphones not working.
Fix 5: Switch to ChromeOS
Windows is the most reliable and old technology. But it’s time to upgrade you and say goodbye to the old system. With this, you will get more features and technology that might give you complete control over ChromeOS.
Case 4: Realtek audio not plugged in
When your device shows Realtek audio not plugged in, follow the given fixes.
Fix 1: Run the Audio Troubleshooter
Step 1: Open the control panel and click on troubleshooting option.
Step 2: Choose Hardware and software option.
Step 3: Click playing audio, then next.
Rest, you should follow the on-screen details.
Fix 2: Run System File Checker
Sometimes corrupted system files can cause the Realtek not plugged in error. To solve this matter, you need to do the following.
Step 1: Search command prompt in the search bar and choose run as an administrator.
Step 2: Copy and paste the following and press enter.
Step 3: Wait for the process until it is not 100% completed.
Step 4: Type exit in cmd and press enter.
Restart your PC and see the problem is resolved.
Part 3: How to Restore Unplayable Audio on Local PC?
If you’re here, you found this post helpful in solving major Realtek audio driver issues. Based on this, I share an excellent secret/tool to repair/restore unplayable audio on a local PC.
Wondershare Repairit - Audio Repair is one of the best audio repair tools that rescue audio files and bring them back without damaging any quality. The best is that it repairs several file formats such as m4a, wav, FLAC, and many more without comprising quality. Even though it supports both windows and Mac devices, you can get a better opportunity.
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Repair damaged audios with all levels of corruption, such as audio not working, clipping audio, humming audio, rumbling audio, sibilant audio, out-of-sync audio, etc.
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Repair audios of diverse formats, including MP3, M4A, FLAC, AAC, WAV, etc.
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Repair damaged or corrupted audios from mutiple devices: portable voice recorder, recording software, shooting apparatus, SD cards, phones, hard drives, USB flash drives, etc.
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Compatible with Windows PC, Mac OS, and supports PC to mobile transferring/sharing.
If you want to experience the best of everything, try Wondershare Repairit. Currently, it is available for a free trial.
Conclusion
We hope you understand how to fix the “Realtek driver not installing” error. However, I have shared several cases of this error and fixed them to solve them. So, try them out, save that fix for future use, or bookmark our page to get the instant solution. Besides all, you must invest in the Wondershare Repairit - Audio Repair. It helps to repair corrupted and unplayable audio/videos on windows in three clickable steps. So, what’s your opinion now?
* Some of the above codec formats may need to be supported by system.
