My Realtek HD Audio Driver Won't Install

You can diagnose and repair audio driver errors in Safe Mode.

Installation errors that occur with any of the Realtek HD audio drivers are usually a result of either an error in overwriting the files within the default Windows driver or a conflict with the Microsoft Universal Audio Architecture. Fortunately, an installation method is available that will solve either of these potential problems. Additionally, you can resolve numerous other possible Realtek software and driver-related conflicts using this method.

Set Computer to Boot in Safe Mode

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Step 1

Press the "Windows" key and "R" simultaneously. A run box will load.

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Step 2

Type "msconfig" and press "Enter."

Step 3

Click the "Boot" tab and then click the check box next to "Safe Boot."

Step 4

Click "Apply" and then "OK."

Step 5

Reboot the computer.

Disable Unified Audio Architecture

Step 1

Press the "Windows" key and "R" simultaneously.

Step 2

Type "Devmgmt.msc" and press "Enter." The Windows Device Manager will load.

Step 3

Double-click on "System Devices." The system devices will be expanded.

Step 4

Right-click "Microsoft UAA Bus Driver for High Definition Audio" and select "Disable."

Step 5

Reboot the computer.

Uninstall Existing Realtek and Microsoft UAA Drivers

Step 1

Press the "Windows" key and "R" simultaneously.

Step 2

Type "Devmgmt.msc" and press "Enter." The Windows Device Manager will load.

Step 3

Double-click on "Sound, Video and Game Controllers." The sound devices will be expanded.

Step 4

Right-click the Realtek audio device and select "Uninstall" and then click "OK" to confirm.

Note that you may not have a Realtek audio device listed. In any case, uninstall any audio device that is listed under the "Sound, Video and Game Controllers" section.

Step 5

Double-click "System Devices." The system devices will be expanded.

Step 6

Right-click the disabled "Microsoft UAA Bus Driver for High Definition Audio" device and select "Uninstall" and then click "OK" to confirm.

Step 7

Close the Device Manager.

Step 8

Double-click the "Realtek" driver installation to proceed with installing the driver.

Step 9

Set the computer to boot back into Normal Mode by following the instructions outlined in the first section.

Step 10

Restart the computer.