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How to install Realtek audio driver in Windows 11?

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If you’re looking for a way to install Realtek audio drivers in Windows 11, you have come to the right place.

Realtek audio driver is a software component that allows your Windows 11 PC to communicate with your audio hardware, such as speakers, headphones, microphones, etc. It lets you enjoy high-quality sound and various audio features on your PC. Without a Realtek audio driver, your PC may not be able to detect or use your audio devices properly.

Realtek audio driver is usually pre-installed on most Windows 11 PCs with Realtek audio hardware. However, sometimes you may need to install or update it manually for various reasons, such as:

  • You have upgraded your Windows 10 PC to Windows 11, and the existing Realtek audio driver is incompatible with the new operating system.
  • You have installed new Realtek audio hardware on your PC and need the corresponding Realtek audio driver to make it work.
  • You are experiencing some audio problems on your PC, such as no sound, distorted sound, low volume, etc., and you want to fix them by updating the Realtek audio driver.

In this article, we will show you how to download and install the latest Realtek audio driver version for your Windows 11 PC.


How to install Realtek audio driver in Windows 11?

There are many ways to install the Realtek audio driver in Windows 11. Some of the most common ones are as follows:

Using Windows Update

Windows Update is a built-in feature of Windows 11 that automatically downloads and installs the latest updates for your PC, including drivers.

This is the easiest and safest way to get the Realtek audio driver for your PC, as Windows Update will only provide you with compatible and verified drivers.

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Search Windows Update Settings in the search bar and then click on Update. In the screenshot above, you will see Restart Now option. This is because I have already downloaded the updates, and after restarting my PC, the updates will install automatically.

If you see the Realtek audio driver under the Optional updates section, click on Download and Install. If you don’t see it, it means that Windows Update has already installed your PC’s latest version of the Realtek audio driver.


Using Realtek’s official website

Another way to download and install the Realtek audio driver in Windows 11 is to use Realtek’s official website.

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This method gives you more control over which version of the Realtek audio driver you want to install, but it also requires more technical skills and caution. You need to download the correct and compatible Realtek audio driver for your PC model and operating system. Otherwise, you may have some problems or errors on your PC.

Head to Realtek PC Audio Codecs page and then download the appropriate file.


Using Intel’s official website

The third method to install the Realtek audio driver in Windows 11 is to head to Intel’s website.

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Here, you can download the latest Realtek High Definition Audio Driver for Windows 10 and 11 for Intel NUCs and Mini PCs.


Using your PC manufacturer’s website

The fourth way to download and install the Realtek audio driver is to head to your PC manufacturer’s website and then search for Realtek audio driver.

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For example, I have Dell PC, so I head to their website and can download the audio codec.


By updating the sound driver

The last way to install the Realtek audio driver in Windows 11 is to update the driver on your PC.

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Search Device Manager in the search bar and then click on Device Management settings. Navigate to Realtek Audio driver under Sound, video and game controller settings. Just right-click on Realtek Audio and press Update to update the driver.

Also read: How to turn off mouse acceleration in Windows 11?

Kumar Hemant

Kumar Hemant

Deputy Editor at Candid.Technology. Hemant writes at the intersection of tech and culture and has a keen interest in science, social issues and international relations. You can contact him here: kumarhemant@pm.me

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