How to Install or Update Audio Drivers in Windows 11

This article describes how to update or install your device’s audio driver in Windows 11.

By default, Windows Update helps get the latest fixes and security improvements, keeping your device running smoothly and staying protected. In some cases, Windows will install device drivers along with other updates.

Suppose a driver is released for your audio device via Windows Update. In that case, it will install or update unless you decide not to via a policy setting not to include device drivers with Windows updates.

Updating the driver to the latest version may improve the sound quality for users with issues with their device’s audio system.

Below is how to install or update your device’s audio drivers in Windows 11.

Install audio drivers via Optional updates

As described above, if a driver is released for your audio device via Windows Update, it will install unless you decide not to via a policy setting not to include device drivers with Windows updates.

Audio device drivers released with Windows Update will be included with Windows Optional updates. Here’s how to search for and install Optional updates.

To install device drivers via Optional updates, click on the Start menu and select Settings. Then, in the Settings app, click Windows Update -> Advanced options -> Optional updates.

If an audio driver were released via Windows Update, it would be listed under the Optional updates. Please select it and let Windows install it.

Install or update audio drivers via Device Manager

Another way to update their device’s audio drivers is by using the Device Manager app. To open the Device Manager app, click on the Start menu and search for “Device Manager.”

Under Best match, select the Device Manager app.

Select and expand the “Sound, video, and game controllers” branch when the Device Manager app opens. Then right-click the “High Definition Audio Device” adapter and select Update driver.

Depending on the Windows device, it may be called something else.

On the Update Drivers pop-up window, select the Browse my computer for drivers option. This option lets you locate and install a driver manually.

This is usually the case if you have downloaded an updated driver from the device manufacturer’s website or have media with the latest audio drivers.

Next, browse where the latest audio driver was downloaded and select it.

Click Next and OK to install.

Optionally, if you don’t have an audio driver already downloaded, you may select the second option to pick from a list of available drivers on your computer.

Sometimes, Windows will have more than one device driver for a device. If the current one isn’t functioning correctly, you can select the other that previously worked.

If there is more than one audio driver on the list, select the previous one and click OK.

Continue until you have successfully updated or installed the latest audio drivers. You may also have to restart your computer for the changes.

Conclusion:

• Updating the audio driver to the latest version can fix or improve sound quality for users experiencing issues with their device’s audio system.
• Two methods are available to install or update audio drivers in Windows 11: using optional updates or the Device Manager app.
• Optional updates can be accessed through the Settings app by navigating to Windows Update, Advanced options, and finally, Optional updates.
• The Device Manager app allows manually updating audio drivers by selecting and expanding the “Sound, video, and game controllers” branch and then choosing the “Update driver” option.
• Users may need to restart their computer after successfully updating or installing the latest audio drivers.