On Windows 11, if you are experiencing audio problems after a system update, installing an application, or out of the blue, the computer could have an outdated version of the audio driver.
If this is the case, updating the driver to the latest version can fix and even improve the sound quality of your device. Luckily, on Windows 11, you can use the Windows Update settings and Device Manager to install the driver for the sound adapter.
This guide will teach you two ways to install the latest driver for your computer’s audio adapter on Windows 11.
- Update audio driver on Windows 11
- Update audio driver from Device Manager
Update audio driver on Windows 11
To update the audio driver on Windows 11 from the Settings app, use these steps:
- Open Settings on Windows 11.
- Click on Windows Update.
- Click the Advanced options page.
- Under the “Additional options” section, click the Optional updates setting.
- Select the audio driver to update.
- Click the “Download and install” button.
Once you complete the steps, the driver update will install on your computer.
Open Settings on Windows 11.
Click on Windows Update.
Click the Advanced options page.
Under the “Additional options” section, click the Optional updates setting.
Select the audio driver to update.
Click the “Download and install” button.
Update audio driver from Device Manager
Before using these instructions, you will need to download the driver package from your manufacturer support website, such as Realtek.
Usually, manufacturers provide a self-installer package to install a device driver, meaning double-clicking the file will launch and update the driver. If the support website only offers a zip file, extract its content and continue with the steps below.
To update the audio driver through Device Manager, use these steps:
- Open Start.
- Search for Device Manager and click the top result to open the app.
- Expand the “Sound, video and game controllers” branch.
- Right-click the audio adapter and select the “Update driver” option.
- Click the “Browse my computer for drivers” option.
- Click the Browse button.
- Select the location of the audio driver.
- Click the OK button.
- Check the Include subfolders option.
- Click the Next button.
- Continue with the on-screen directions (if applicable).
After you complete the steps, the device audio driver update will install on Windows 11.
Open Start.
Search for Device Manager and click the top result to open the app.
Expand the “Sound, video and game controllers” branch.
Right-click the audio adapter and select the “Update driver” option.
Click the “Browse my computer for drivers” option.
Click the Browse button.
Select the location of the audio driver.
Click the OK button.
Check the Include subfolders option.
Click the Next button.
Continue with the on-screen directions (if applicable).
