When you install Realtek High Definition Audio driver, if you get error message saying “Install Realtek HD Audio Driver Failure!!”, don’t worry. You can install the driver successfully with one of the solutions in this article.
Here’re 6 solutions you can try to fix the problem. You may not have to try them all. Just work your way down until you find the one that works for you.
Installing drivers manually is not easy. It sometimes causes errors you won’t expect like the error “Install Realtek HD Audio Driver Failure”.
If you have the problem installing the Realtek driver manually, you can update the driver automatically with Driver Easy.
Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and find the correct drivers for it. You don’t need to know exactly what system your computer is running, you don’t need to risk downloading and installing the wrong driver, and you don’t need to worry about making a mistake when installing.
You can update your drivers automatically with either the FREE or the Pro version of Driver Easy. But with the Pro version it takes just 2 clicks:
Run Driver Easy and click Scan Now. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any problem drivers.
Click the Update button next to the Realtek audio driver to automatically download the correct version of this driver, then you can manually install it (you can do this with the FREE version).
Or click Update All to automatically download and install the correct version of all the drivers that are missing or out of date on your system (this requires the Pro version – you’ll be prompted to upgrade when you click Update All).Realtek Audio Driver
Solution 2: Uninstall and reinstall the Realtek audio driver
To uninstall and reinstall the Realtek audio driver, you can follow these steps:
On your keyboard, press the Win+R (the Windows key and the R key) at the same time to invoke the Run box.
Type devmgmt.msc and click OK to open the Device Manager.
Expand the category Sound, video and game controllers. Right-click on the Realtek Audio Driver and select Uninstall, then follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall the driver.
Restart your computer and open Device Manager again.
In Device Manager, click Action > Scan for hardware changes.
After that, install the driver again.
Solution 3: Add legacy hardware before installing the driver
First, go to Device Manager and see if there is the “Sound, video and game controllers” branch. If you don’t see it in Device Manager, you need to add legacy hardware before installing the driver (If you see it listed in Device Manger, skip this Solution).
Follow steps below to add legacy hardware.
In Device Manager, click Action > Add legacy hardware. (If you only see ‘Help’ under this option, please click the blank place of the list pane then click ‘Action’ again. )
Follow the on-screen instructions to add the “Sound, video and game controllers” branch and “Realtek High Definition audio device”.
Install the driver again. You can use Driver Easyto help install the driver automatically with just two clicks.
Solution 4: Fix driver conflicts
Realtek has a known conflict with the Microsoft UAA Bus Driver for High Definition Audio. Follow steps below to fix the conflict.
Go toDevice Manager.ExpandtheSystem Devices branch and find Microsoft UAA Bus Driver for High Definition Audio.
Right click on the device and click Disable.
Go to Programs and Features and locate the Realtek High Definition Audio Driver entry. Uninstall the driver. (Do not reboot the system.)
Go back to Device Manager and uninstall the disabled Microsoft UAA Bus Driver for High Definition Audio. (Do not reboot the system.)
Reinstall the Realtek HD Audio Driver (If “Found New Hardware Wizard” pops up, ignore it.).
After installation is complete, reboot the system.
Solution 5: Reinstall
If the problem persists after your try the solutions above, it means that there is some other types of corruption occurring which goes beyond the above conflict. You can consider reinstalling Windows. After reinstalling system, reinstall the driver again.
Solution 6: Replace a sound card
If reinstalling Windows doesn’t work either, the sound card may be dead. You may need to have it replaced.
Camilla, a certified MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional), has almost four years technical writing experience. Before working as a technical writer for Driver Easy, she was a technical support agent, helping people to solve their computer problems. She enjoys providing solutions to computer problems and loves exploring new technologies.
