Has your computer sound stopped or started crackling? It can be very irritating, but the solution may just involve an upgrade of a very small program labeled a sound drivers. A driver is simply a messenger between your Windows and speakers. When you are using an outdated driver, there is a failure of this connection. Here’s how you can upgrade your sound drivers and have your sound functional once again.
The Easiest First Step: Update Through Device Manager
A great place to begin would be a Windows tool that comes built-in, known as Device Manager. You can consider it a control panel for computers that has hardware components attached to it. The way you access it would be to right-click on a Start menu button to click “Device Manager.”
After the window opens, look for the “Sound, video, and game controllers” category, then click on the arrow icon to expand it. You will find your sound device listed in this location, labeled “Realtek High Definition Audio.”
Right-click on the sound device, “Update driver,” and then “Search automatically for updated drivers.” Windows will then go out and search for a driver update if one is found. After that, test the sound.
The Best Fix: Get the Driver from Your PC’s Manufacturer
Although an auto search is a sensible beginning, the best possible solution for obtaining the driver would be to procure it or download it from your computer’s manufacturers’ website from companies such as Dell or HP. The reason for this is that these drivers are specifically designed to fit your computer, as opposed to an auto-accessed Windows driver.
To start, you will need to know the model number of your computer. If you are using a laptop, turn the machine upside down and check underneath, where you should find a sticker with the model number. If you are using a desktop computer, you can look at the back or side of the computer case.
After noting the model number, run a web search for “[Your PC Brand] support”. From the official support site, click the “Software & Drivers” page, enter your model and find the “Audio” or “Sound” category. Click to download the newest file and execute the installer to complete your task.
Your Safety Net: How to Roll Back a Bad Driver Update
Sometimes, a new driver can be more of a problem than a solution. If, right after an update, your sound got worse, don’t freak out. Windows has a built-in safety net called “Roll Back Driver,” working just like an ‘Undo’ button. It clears the new problematic driver and gives you back what you had before.
To do so, you need to go back to the Device Manager and right-click the sound device and then open the “Properties” option. In the “Driver” tab, look for the “Roll Back Driver” button and then click it
Sound Still Not Working? Try These Fixes
If the update of the driver does not resolve the problem, then the issue may not be a software problem. Before searching further, some things should be checked. Make sure that the audio cables are properly connected and that the headphones or speakers are functioning properly on another appliance such as a phone. Hardware troubleshooting is a critical skill to learn.