Realtek audio disappeared

packerfansmith12

Honorable
Jan 27, 2018
13
0
10,510
Hello, recently my realtek audio disappeared. The files in C:\Program Files (x86)\Realtek\Audio\Drivers include only RTIUpd64.exe and USetup.iss, not any of the other files. Attempts to install the realtek drivers from both the ASUS website (Z170-A motherboard), and the realtek website have failed to add the drivers. Realtek is missing from installed devices, and no realtek devices are seen in the sound manager. I still have audio from my USB speakers, so the issue seems isolated to Realtek. I tried doing a clean boot of Windows 10 (The "reset" boot, not a fresh install) to no avail. Any help getting audio drivers back is appreciated.
Thanks

Update: Attempts to install a new version of the driver (Both R281 and R282) do not add any Realtek folder to C:/Program Files, only to C:/Program Files (x86).
 
Solution
Your sound device has all the symptoms of a failed sound chip.
You could contact Asus Support -> https://www.asus.com/us/support/
If your are out-of-warranty, you could add a dedicated sound card for around $40. If you go that route just disable the onboard audio in the BIOS.
If it does not appear then Windows won't install Realtek drivers because it doesn't see the device in the first place.
Go back to the Device Manager and check under System Devices, do you see High Definition Audio device?
By the way what type of PC do you have?
Could the audio have been disable in the BIOS.
 

Go back to the System and uninstall the "High Definition Audio Controller" with the exclamation mark.
Reboot.
Let me know if Windows detects it after rebooting.

 
After rebooting, the second HDAC reappeared, still with exclamation mark. Realtek is still missing from all device lists.
Edit: Yes, I uninstalled it before the reboot. It remained off of the device manager until the reboot.
 

If the hardware is working then you can manually update the drivers.
Download and unzip the Realtek drivers for your Motherboard.
Go to System devices right-click the 'High Definition Audio Controller' with the exclamation point and select 'Update system software'.
Click on 'Browse my computer for driver software' and browse to the Realtek folder and click OK
 


When trying to do so, Windows sends a message that the best drivers available are already installed. The error message on the HDAC is "This device cannot start. (Code 10)" After a bit of reading it seems possible that error 10 is due to PCI seating in the mobo. I'll double check the seating and update with the results.
 

That applies to dedicated sound cards, your HDAC is soldered (embedded) to the motherboard so there is not way to re-seating it.
The sound chip might have failed.

 
Both Nvidia HD Audio and my USB speakers are still present, could that be consistent with a failed sound chip? Is there a way to conclusively test for a failed sound chip? If it has indeed failed, would a dedicated sound chip restore lost functionality?
By the way, many thanks for your help, this problem has been a real headache.
 
Your sound device has all the symptoms of a failed sound chip.
You could contact Asus Support -> https://www.asus.com/us/support/
If your are out-of-warranty, you could add a dedicated sound card for around $40. If you go that route just disable the onboard audio in the BIOS.
 
Solution