NVIDIA High Definition Audio
NVIDIA High Definition Audio carries sound over HDMI and DisplayPort from a GeForce or NVIDIA workstation GPU to a display with speakers. NVIDIA graphics installers can include this component, but custom installation choices and package variations mean it may not be installed with every display-driver installation. It is maintained through the applicable NVIDIA graphics package rather than as a general-purpose standalone audio download. Like other display-audio devices, it normally appears as a selectable output when a suitable monitor or TV is attached.
Family profile
- Reference coverage
- 10, 11
- Hardware category
- Audio & Sound
- Manufacturer
- NVIDIA
- Related families listed
- 15 in this category, 5 elsewhere from NVIDIA
This coverage label describes releases discussed by this publication, not certified compatibility. Confirm the exact device or PC model, hardware revision, current Windows release, and current package requirements on the publisher source before making a change. Windows 10 Home and Pro reached end of support on October 14, 2025. Extended security updates and other editions have separate lifecycle terms; a driver listing does not extend Windows support.
NVIDIA High Definition Audio at a glance
| Detail | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Device type | Display audio over HDMI and DisplayPort |
| Connection | Digital display output from the NVIDIA GPU |
| Driver source | Optional component in applicable NVIDIA graphics packages |
| Windows class driver | Maintained with the graphics package, not the onboard codec |
| Control panel | Managed through Windows Sound settings |
| Common symptom | Output missing after the component or GPU driver is removed |
How to tell this is what you have
- Shows as "NVIDIA High Definition Audio"
- Associated with a display connected to the NVIDIA GPU
- Available as a component of applicable NVIDIA graphics packages
Worth knowing: Carries audio over NVIDIA GPU HDMI and DisplayPort outputs when the package component is installed.
Device Driver Guide does not host driver files or bundle an updater. This page documents the NVIDIA High Definition Audiofamily; its citations are selected from the package-source policy recorded for this family.
Device Driver Guide hosts no executables or updater tools. External citations are limited to official publisher documentation pages and are labeled before you leave this site.
Browse related families
Open the listed audio & sound directoryPackage path for NVIDIA High Definition Audio
The family record names Optional component in applicable NVIDIA graphics packages as the package source. Use Windows 10, Windows 11 only as reference coverage, then check the current publisher requirements for the exact model, hardware revision, Windows release, and PC configuration. A family name alone does not establish compatibility.
Shared identification, preparation, installation, verification, and rollback procedures are maintained on the full audio & sound guide, rather than repeated on every family page. The citations below follow this family’s declared vendor, system-update, PC-maker, or motherboard-maker source policy.
Official sources and citations
These links serve two different purposes. A manufacturer support selector helps you find an exact model, but does not prove that a package or feature exists for every product in a family. Claim-specific documents explain the cited technology, requirement, lifecycle, or bounded package example. In either case, check the publisher domain, exact model and hardware revision, operating-system release, supported-products list, and package notes before making a change.
- NVIDIA downloads and documentation
NVIDIA: Use this publisher-maintained page to match the exact NVIDIA model and operating-system release before selecting a package.
- Windows 10 Home and Pro lifecycle
Microsoft Lifecycle: Lifecycle documentation for Windows 10 Home and Pro; separately governed editions and servicing channels can have different dates.
- USB audio class-driver documentation
Microsoft Learn: Explains when Windows can load an in-box USB class driver and why a class driver does not guarantee every device feature.
Device Driver Guide is an independent reference, not a repair or technical-support service. It does not host or mirror installers and receives no payment for these links. A named-model package example applies only to the systems and operating systems on that publisher page; it is not a recommendation to install the package across a family. Report a moved or incorrect link through the correction form.
Other audio & sound families to compare
NVIDIA High Definition Audio next to the other 15 families in this category
| Family | Manufacturer | Reference coverage | How you recognize it |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA High Definition Audio (this page) | NVIDIA | 10, 11 | Shows as "NVIDIA High Definition Audio" |
| Realtek High Definition Audio Codecs | Realtek | 10, 11 | Shows in Device Manager as "Realtek(R) Audio" or "Realtek High Definition Audio" |
| Realtek USB Audio | Realtek | 10, 11 | Appears when a USB headset or dongle is plugged in |
| Intel Smart Sound Technology (SST) | Intel | 10, 11 | Listed as an Intel Smart Sound Technology controller in Device Manager |
| Intel Display Audio (HDMI/DisplayPort) | Intel | 10, 11 | Shows as "Intel(R) Display Audio" under sound controllers |
| AMD High Definition Audio Device (HDMI/DisplayPort) | AMD | 10, 11 | Listed as "AMD High Definition Audio Device" |
| Creative Sound Blaster Series | Creative | 10, 11 | May enumerate with a Sound Blaster model name |
| Creative Sound BlasterX / AE Series | Creative | 10, 11 | Read the exact Sound BlasterX or AE model |
| Focusrite Scarlett USB Interfaces | Focusrite | 10, 11 | External USB interface with generation-specific model name |
| Focusrite Clarett / Vocaster Interfaces | Focusrite | 10, 11 | Read the complete Clarett or Vocaster model and connection type |
| Logitech USB Headset and Speaker Audio | Logitech | 10, 11 | USB headset, speakerphone, or speaker set |
| Dell Audio (Waves MaxxAudio and OEM codec packages) | Dell | 10, 11 | Often includes a Waves MaxxAudio control panel |
| HP Audio (OEM codec and companion packages) | HP | 10, 11 | Matched to an HP product or serial number |
| Lenovo Audio (OEM codec packages) | Lenovo | 10, 11 | Selected by Lenovo machine type |
| ASUS Audio (motherboard and laptop OEM packages) | ASUS | 10, 11 | Motherboard packages listed per board model |
| Microsoft Surface Audio | Microsoft Surface | 10, 11 | Audio bundled in a Surface driver and firmware package |
Other NVIDIA families in the catalog
NVIDIA hardware documented outside audio & sound
| Family | Category | Reference coverage |
|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA GeForce Game Ready Driver | Graphics & Video | 10/11 only for listed GPU and OS releases |
| NVIDIA Studio Driver | Graphics & Video | 10/11 only for listed GPU and OS releases |
| NVIDIA RTX / Quadro Enterprise Driver | Graphics & Video | 10/11 only where the selected package lists this GPU or PC model |
| NVIDIA graphics driver (resolution, refresh rate, HDR, G-Sync) | Monitors & Displays | 10, 11 |
| NVIDIA Virtual Audio Device (companion feature) | Virtual Devices | 10/11 only where an exact NVIDIA product/package lists it |