The Realtek HD Audio Manager is not a crucial software to have on your Windows computer, but it can help to boost your PC's sound system. Compared to the default Windows Sound Settings, the Realtek HD Audio Manager boasts of more advanced audio and playback device management capabilities.
The Realtek HD Audio Manager is present on almost all Windows PC, but not all users are aware of its existence on their devices. At times, it is hidden in plain sight. The HD Audio Manager software comes as a 2-in-1 package with the Realtek HD Audio Driver.
Though, if there is an issue with them, then you can get unwanted issues with the audio device for Windows 10. Don't worry – the high definition audio device not working is a common problem and it can easily be fixed. In this post, I have listed some of these smart audio device fixes for Windows 10. If all the above methods failed and you are still unable to use the AMD High Definition Audio Device, we can try installing the IDT Audio driver on your computer. This is a CODEC whose purpose is to make it possible for you to play sounds on your computer. We can try installing IDT using the installer and see if this makes any difference.
On Windows, the Realtek HD Audio Driver powers your PC's audio card and is a necessity for your computer audio to properly function. It makes your computer's audio work. The Realtek HD Audio Manager, on the other hand, is more of a management interface and control panel for the driver. It allows users to get more out of their PC's Realtek HD Audio Driver and your PC's audio at large.
The HD Audio Manager isn't exactly required. Still, when present and used, its inherent features and tools can be utilized efficiently to boost your PC's sound system, fix sound issues, manage audio devices, and do a whole lot more.
Specifically, with the Realtek HD Audio Manager, you can enhance your PC's microphone capabilities, use customized sound effects, efficiently manage audio equalizer, etc.
Despite its many benefits, the Realtek HD Audio Manager comes with its issues. Sometimes, the software could mysteriously go missing on a computer. It is also not uncommon for the Realtek HD Audio Manager to get uninstalled, either due to a bug or an unsuccessful update.
In the paragraphs below, we'll walk you through some ways to properly install and update the Realtek HD Audio Manager on your Windows computer.
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1. Updating the Realtek HD Audio Manager
Since the Realtek HD Audio Manager comes fused with the Realtek HD Audio Driver, updating or reinstalling the driver does the same to the HD Audio Manager.
Here's how to (indirectly) update and reinstall the Realtek HD Audio Manager through the Windows 10 Device Manager.
Through the Windows Device Manager
Step 1: Tap the Windows Key + X keyboard shortcut from anywhere on your PC to open the Quick Access menu.
Step 2: Select Device Manager from the menu options.
Step 3: Double-click 'Sound, video, and game controller' or tap the drop-down arrow button to expand the option.
Step 4: Double-click the 'Realtek High Definition Audio' option to show the driver properties.
Step 5: On the Driver Properties window, navigate to the Driver tab.
Step 6: Tap the Update Driver button.
Alternatively, while on the Device Manager dashboard, you can right-click on 'Realtek High Definition Audio' and then select 'Update Driver Software' from the menu.
Step 7: Select the 'Search automatically for updated driver software' option.
That will prompt your PC to search your entire computer and also crawl the internet to determine if there is an available update for the Realtek HD Audion Driver and Manager.
If there is, it'll be automatically downloaded and installed on your computer.
Note: For optimum result, ensure your computer is connected to the internet.
2. Reinstalling the Realtek HD Audio Manager
If your Realtek HD Audio Manager is malfunctioning or goes missing, reinstalling it could help. Here are some effective ways to reinstall the audio manager.
Manually
You can download a stable version of the Realtek HD Audio Driver from Realtek's official website or trusted third-party sources and manually install it on your PC.
And by stable version, we're talking about the v2.81. The latest Realtek HD Audio Driver version (v2.82) is quite buggy, and you might have the Realtek HD Audio Manager go missing often if you install it on your device.
Therefore, it is advisable that you install the version 2.81 of the Realtek HD Audio Driver because it comes with a much stable, functional, and problem-free HD Audio Manager.
Download Realtek HD Audio Driver (v2.81) from Filehippo
Download the driver from the link above and follow the steps below to reinstall the Realtek HD Audio Manager on your PC.
Step 1: Right-click on the downloaded setup and select Run as administrator.
Step 2: Follow the installation prompts and restart your computer after installing the Realtek HD Audio Driver.
Step 3: Launch your File Explorer and navigate to this location — C:Program FilesRealtekAudioHDA.
Alternatively, you can press the Windows + R keys to launch the RUN window and paste this location — C:Program FilesRealtekAudioHDA. Then, tap the Enter button on your keyboard.
That will immediately open the folder where the Realtek HD Audio Manager app is located in your File Explorer.
Step 4: Right-click on RAVCpl64, tap Send to, and select Desktop (create shortcut).
Note: 'RAVCpl64' is the Realtek HD Audio Manager app.
That creates a shortcut for the Realtek HD Audio Manager on your desktop.
Step 5: On your desktop, right-click on the RAVCpl64 shortcut and tap the Pin to taskbar option.
The Realtek HD Audio Manager will be pinned to your taskbar. Also, it will appear on your system tray and notification area.
And that's it. The Realtek HD Audio Manager is now back to your PC. You can launch the app from the taskbar, system tray with a single mouse click.
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Addendum: Third-Party App Managers
There are effective third-party apps known as App Managers or Software Updaters that automatically help users update the software on their Windows PC.
We tried a couple of third-party software updaters/app managers like Patch My PC, CCleaner, FileHippo App Manager, etc., to update the Realtek HD Audio Manager. However, none of the reliable ones were able to detect and update the app successfully.
Fix up Your PC's Audio
At least one of the methods mentioned above should help you to get your PC's Realtek HD Audio Manager working again. Ensure you bookmark this page, though. We'll keep researching more troubleshooting options and apps that would fix all issues you might encounter using the Realtek Audio Driver and Manager on your computer.
Next up: Do audio devices produced distorted or uneven sound on your Windows 10 PC? Check out how to fix it (by adjusting your device's audio balance) in the article linked below.
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.Read NextHow to Adjust Audio Balance in Windows 10Also See2 Ways to Boost Sound Level above the Maximum Mark in Windows #audio
Did You Know
Brian Eno composed the old and popular Microsoft Sound.
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No sound after upgrading the computer operating system to Windows 10 has been lately reported across the globe by many users. There is no need to panic or get concerned for the issue, it arises mostly due to driver problem. The audio driver which you have been using formerly in your previous operating system might have become obsolete or outdated or it is missing in the latter version of the OS and there may be coming new issue after upgrade to Windows 10.
There are many usual disturbances or troubles come up apart from general mp3 or mp4 format due to the malfunctioning of the audio driver, for instance, when a notification or a mail is received at your receiving end, there is little ping sound or if you are clicking on a file or a folder, the sound will enable you at times spontaneously to realize whether the file is clicked or selected or not.
By simply re-installing the audio driver in your current operating system version would simply fix Realtek High Definition Audio Driver Issue. It’s usually a pretty quick fix.
The methods are basically articulated in two parts.
Ensure it’s a driver problem
Upgrade your audio driver
Method #1: Confirm it’s a Driver Problem
In order to know whether your PC sound problem is due to the Realtek audio driver issue, you simply need to check your driver status in device manager.
Step 1.From your home scree, press the keyboard combination “Windows logo key + R” to open the “Run” command at the bottom left corner of the screen.
Step 2.In the blank search box of the “Run” command, type “devmgmt.msc” and hit “Enter”. This will open the device manager operating window instantly.
Step 3.Expand the “Sound, video and game controllers”.
Step 4. Under this category, you will get to see “Realtek High Definition Audio” or “High Definition Audio Device” option. If you happen to see a yellow mark (especially an exclamation or question mark next to the driver symbol), it indicates there is definitely a problem with your driver, and you seriously need to update it immediately.
Once you are confirmed about the Realtek driver issue in your PC, head on to the second method straight away.
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Method #2: Update Your Audio Drivers to Fix Realtek High Definition Audio Driver Issue
Now the audio driver can be updated in two ways:
Manually-
For this you need to have patience and computer skills as you have to patiently search online to find out the right compatible audio driver for your PC.
Actually Realtek launched its audio driver latest version just one month prior to the release of the Windows 10 OS. Read the instruction below to ensure authentic re-installation:
Step 1.In order to get it, go to the Realtek website, search for the driver corresponding to the 32 or 64-bit OS and download the driver manually from there.
Step 2.After the audio driver is downloaded completely, double-click on the downloaded file and follow terms and conditions to finish the installation process.
Automatic Realtek Audio Driver Update-
in case you don’t have enough patience to carry on the manual downloading and installation procedure, you can easily do it with an open-source utility Driver Easy.
So this is how it works, Driver Easy would automatically find out the compatible audio driver for your computer, and you don’t have to make a mistake of downloading and installing a wrong audio driver.
The procedure to do the following is given as follows:
Step 1. Downloadthe Driver Easy utility from here, or you can search for it online as well.
Step 2.Now; open Driver Easy, and click on “Scan now” button. The software will automatically detect for the driver problem in your PC.
High Definition Audio Device Has A Driver Problem Windows 10 64 Bit
Step 3.Click on the “Update” button adjacent to the Realtek Driver to automatically download and install the correct version of the Realtek Driver. You can click on “Update all” to automatically download and install all the drivers that are outdated or missing.
Conclusion:
Whenever you are about to upgrade your operating system, make sure everything is upgraded with the correct version as per your system. If you are ready prior to upgrading your OS with all the utilities or necessary softwares, it would be very easy to make your fresh system functional as soon as it is updated with the new OS.