Why did my sound disappear after a Windows update?

Windows Update sometimes swaps a vendor-tuned audio driver for a newer generic one. The version number is higher, but the tuning is gone. Rolling back the driver in Device Manager, or reinstalling the package your PC maker ships, may restore it.

Which Realtek audio driver do I need?

Check the Hardware ID first: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC identifies a Realtek codec, and the digits after DEV_ point to the exact chip. A driver made for your laptop model is usually the safer pick over a universal one.

Are these downloads safe?

The catalog does not host driver files. The download button leads to the official server of the hardware vendor or Microsoft, and each verified package lists a SHA-256 checksum so you can confirm the file arrived untouched.

Audio & sound cards drivers

Audio drivers connect Windows to the sound hardware in your PC - the codec chip on the motherboard, a USB headset or an external sound card. Every package here comes from an official vendor source and lists its version, release date, supported Windows versions and a SHA-256 checksum you can verify after downloading.

DriverManufacturerVersionReleasedWindows / Arch

Realtek Audio Driver - 10 (1903 or Later) 11SHA-256 verifiedLenovo6.0.10007.1September 17, 2026Windows 11Windows 1064-bit
Realtek Audio Driver - 11 (24H2 or Later)SHA-256 verifiedLenovo6.0.9948.1/3.30904.943.0September 11, 2026Windows 1164-bit
AMD ACPBUS Driver - 11 (24H2 or Later)SHA-256 verifiedLenovo6.2610.1.2September 9, 2026Windows 1164-bit
Realtek Audio Driver - 10 (21H2 or Later) 11SHA-256 verifiedLenovo6.0.10007.1September 9, 2026Windows 11Windows 1064-bit
AMD ACPBUS Driver - 11 (23H2 or Later)SHA-256 verifiedLenovo7.2520.1.1September 8, 2026Windows 1164-bit
Intel SoundWire Audio Driver - 11 (23H2 or Later)SHA-256 verifiedLenovo20.42.12741.9September 7, 2026Windows 1164-bit
Realtek Audio Driver - 11 (23H2 or Later)SHA-256 verifiedLenovo6.0.9894.1/20.42.12741.9August 28, 2026Windows 1164-bit
Realtek Audio Driver - 10 (20H2 or Later) 11SHA-256 verifiedLenovo6.0.10007.1August 27, 2026Windows 11Windows 1064-bit
Cirrus Audio Features - 11 (24H2 or Later)SHA-256 verifiedLenovo7.26.15August 24, 2026Windows 1164-bit
Intel SST Driver - 11 (24H2 or Later)Lenovo20.40.12741.9August 19, 2026Windows 1164-bit

Audio & sound cards drivers by brand

Common problems with these devices

About audio & sound cards drivers

The most common family here is Realtek High Definition Audio - the codec built into most desktop boards and laptops. On branded laptops the right audio driver often comes from the laptop maker (Lenovo, Dell, HP) rather than from Realtek itself, because vendors tune the package for their hardware. If sound stopped working after a Windows update, the update may have replaced that tuned driver with a generic one - reinstalling the vendor version may bring sound back.

To pick the right package, match your Windows version and architecture (almost everything modern is 64-bit). When the device name alone does not settle it, search by the Hardware ID from Device Manager - it identifies the exact codec regardless of what the label says.

Frequently asked questions

Why did my sound disappear after a Windows update?: Windows Update sometimes swaps a vendor-tuned audio driver for a newer generic one. The version number is higher, but the tuning is gone. Rolling back the driver in Device Manager, or reinstalling the package your PC maker ships, may restore it.
Which Realtek audio driver do I need?: Check the Hardware ID first: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC identifies a Realtek codec, and the digits after DEV_ point to the exact chip. A driver made for your laptop model is usually the safer pick over a universal one.
Are these downloads safe?: The catalog does not host driver files. The download button leads to the official server of the hardware vendor or Microsoft, and each verified package lists a SHA-256 checksum so you can confirm the file arrived untouched.