How to Find What Onboard Sound Driver You Need
A sound driver is software required to make an audio device function properly with a computer's operating system. Onboard, or integrated sound cards, are audio devices that are build into the computer's motherboard. For computers with dedicated sound cards, the sound card manufacturer usually hosts driver downloads, but for those with onboard sound cards, driver updates are often hosted by the computer or motherboard manufacturer.
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Instructions
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Automatic Updates
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1
Click "Start," "Control Panel," "Administrative Tools," "Computer Management" and then "Device Manager."
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2
Click on "Sound, Video and Game Controllers."
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3
Right-click on your sound device and select "Update Driver Software..." Your computer will automatically search for and install appropriate driver updates online.
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4
Wait for new drivers to install and restart when prompted.
Manual Driver Installation
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5
Check your computer manual to find out your exact computer model and the model of your motherboard. Often computer model numbers are printed on stickers attached to the computer's case.
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6
Go to the website of your computer's manufacturer and search for driver updates specific to your computer. Computer manufacturers usually host driver updates and have tools that allow you to enter your computer model that will pull up any relevant driver updates for your computer.
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7
Search through the available driver updates for your computer and download the most recent audio driver update.
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8
Run the driver update file that you downloaded and restart when the installation is complete. If your computer manufacturer doesn't have any new audio driver updates, check for updates to download and install at your motherboard manufacturer's website.
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Tips & Warnings
Incorrect sound drivers may result in no sound and other computer errors.
If a sound driver does not work, try to find a new one immediately, since bad drivers are a common cause of computer crashes.
