How To Update Audio Drivers In Windows 10 And 11

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5 min. read

Published on October 7, 2025

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Audio drivers are essential software components that enable your Windows 10 or 11 operating system to communicate with your sound card or audio device. Outdated or corrupted audio drivers can lead to various sound-related issues, such as no sound, distorted audio, or microphone problems. Keeping your audio drivers up to date ensures optimal audio performance and compatibility with the latest software and hardware.

This guide provides several methods to update your audio drivers, ensuring your audio experience remains smooth and trouble-free. We’ll cover both automatic and manual approaches, empowering you to choose the method that best suits your technical skills and preferences.

What’s the Best Way to Update My Audio Drivers?

Method 1: Using Device Manager

Device Manager is a built-in Windows tool that allows you to manage and update hardware drivers.

Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
Expand the Sound, video and game controllers category.
Right-click on your audio device (e.g., Realtek Audio, Intel Display Audio).
Select Update driver.
Choose Search automatically for drivers. Windows will search for and install the latest available driver.
If Windows doesn’t find a new driver, select Search for updated drivers on Windows Update to check for optional updates.
Follow any on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Method 2: Updating via Windows Update

Windows Update often includes driver updates along with other system updates.

Click the Start button and select Settings.
Go to Update & Security (Windows 10) or Windows Update (Windows 11).
Click Check for updates.
If driver updates are available, they will be installed automatically or listed under Optional updates. Click to install them.
Restart your computer after the updates are installed.

Method 3: Downloading Drivers from the Manufacturer’s Website

The most reliable way to get the latest drivers is directly from the manufacturer of your audio device or computer.

Identify the manufacturer and model of your audio device or computer.
Visit the manufacturer’s website (e.g., Realtek, Intel, Dell, HP).
Navigate to the Support or Drivers section.
Search for your specific model.
Download the latest audio driver for your operating system (Windows 10 or 11, 32-bit or 64-bit).
Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
Restart your computer after the installation is complete.

Method 4: Using Third-Party Driver Update Software

Several third-party driver update tools can automatically scan for and update outdated drivers.

IObit Driver Booster: A popular choice with a user-friendly interface.
Driver Easy: Offers automatic driver scanning and updates.
AVG Driver Updater: Part of the AVG suite, focusing on driver stability.

Important: Use caution when using third-party driver update software. Always download from reputable sources and be wary of bundled software or potentially unwanted programs.

Download and install the driver update software.
Run the software and allow it to scan your system for outdated drivers.
Follow the software’s instructions to download and install the latest audio driver.
Restart your computer after the installation.

Method 5: Rolling Back to a Previous Driver

If you experience issues after updating your audio driver, you can roll back to a previous version.

Open Device Manager.
Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
Right-click on your audio device.
Select Properties.
Go to the Driver tab.
Click Roll Back Driver (if the button is available).
Follow the on-screen instructions.
Restart your computer.

Tips for Successful Driver Updates

Create a System Restore Point: Before making any driver changes, create a system restore point to revert to a previous state if something goes wrong.
Close Unnecessary Programs: Close all other applications before updating drivers to avoid conflicts.
Download from Official Sources: Always download drivers from the manufacturer’s website or through Windows Update.
Read Release Notes: Check the release notes for the new driver to see if there are any known issues or compatibility concerns.
Restart Your Computer: Restarting your computer after updating drivers is crucial for the changes to take effect.

Audio Driver Update Methods Compared

Feature	Device Manager	Windows Update	Manufacturer Website	3rd Party Software
Ease of Use	Medium	Easy	Medium	Easy
Driver Selection	Automatic	Automatic	Manual	Automatic
Reliability	High	High	High	Medium
Control	Limited	Limited	Full	Limited
Risk of Malware	Low	Low	Low	High

Resolving Audio Issues

Keeping your audio drivers updated is a crucial step in maintaining a smooth and enjoyable audio experience in Windows 10 and 11. By following these methods, you can address common sound-related problems and ensure your audio devices are functioning optimally.

FAQ

How do I know if my audio drivers are outdated? You may experience sound problems like no sound, distorted audio, or microphone issues. You can also check Device Manager for driver errors.

Can outdated audio drivers cause performance issues? Yes, outdated drivers can sometimes lead to system instability and performance problems.

Is it safe to use third-party driver update software? Use caution and download from reputable sources. Some may bundle unwanted software.

What if I can’t find the correct driver on the manufacturer’s website? Try contacting the manufacturer’s support team for assistance. Provide your computer’s model number and operating system details.

How often should I update my audio drivers? Update your audio drivers whenever you experience audio issues or when the manufacturer releases a new driver version.