Windows 10 realtek high definition audio driver

Resolving Windows 10 Sound Issues with Realtek Drivers

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If you're experiencing sound problems after updating your Dell OptiPlex 3020MT to Fall Creators Update (1709), specifically issues related to tiny and flat audio output through the built-in speakers, it may be due to a driver compatibility issue rather than hardware failure. In this article, we'll guide you through troubleshooting steps to resolve these sound problems by installing or reinstalling the Realtek High Definition Audio drivers.

Symptoms

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* Sound coming out of your computer's speakers is extremely low and lacking in depth.

* Volume settings are at maximum levels but still unable to produce satisfying audio output.

Cause & Solution

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The root cause behind this issue often lies within driver conflicts between the Realtek UAD (Universal Audio Driver) package and Microsoft's default High Definition Audio drivers. Here's how you can resolve it:

### Step 1: Uninstall existing Realtek Drivers

* Press `Win + X` to open the Start menu.

* Right-click on Device Manager and select Run as administrator`.

* In Device Manager, expand the Sound, video & game controllers section.

* Look for devices starting with 'Realtek Audio' or 'Realtek High Definition' and right-click on them one by one. Then click Uninstall device` then `Yes` to confirm removal.

### Step 2: Reboot Your Computer

After uninstalling the Realtek drivers, restart your computer to ensure all changes take effect:

* Click on the Start button at the bottom left corner of your screen.

* Move your mouse pointer over Shut down or sign out and click Restart from the menu.

### Step 3: Download & Install Latest Realtek Audio Driver

1. Visit 'Realtek's official website'(https://www.realtek.com/en/).

2. Under 'Audio Drivers', select your operating system (Windows 10 in this case) and then choose your audio device (High Definition Audio or UAD).

### Step 4: Run the Setup Program & Follow Instructions

* Double-click on the downloaded .exe file to run it.

* If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes` twice.

Note that some users might encounter a situation where their machine reverts back to using Microsoft's High Definition Audio drivers instead of Realtek's after installing or updating these audio drivers. In such cases:

1. Go into Device Manager again and repeat the steps mentioned earlier under 'Cause & Solution' for removing existing Realtek drivers.

2. Reboot your computer once more.

### Step 5: Verify Sound Output

* After completing all previous steps, restart your system one last time to ensure that any lingering changes have taken effect.

* Check if sound is now coming out from your speakers at a normal volume and with good quality.

If you still face issues after following these instructions or if the problem persists despite updating drivers, it may be wise to contact Dell's customer support for further assistance.

Windows 10 realtek high definition audio driver