Realtek High Definition Audio Codecs
This is a widely used onboard audio codec family for consumer motherboards and laptops, driving analog jacks and internal speakers on supported systems. It reports itself under "Sound, video and game controllers" and may pair with a vendor control panel for jack retasking and equalization. Because system builders tune audio for their own speakers and firmware, laptop and prebuilt owners should check the customized package from their computer maker rather than assume a generic package is compatible.
Family profile
- Reference coverage
- 10, 11
- Hardware category
- Audio & Sound
- Manufacturer
- Realtek
- Related families listed
- 15 in this category, 8 elsewhere from Realtek
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.
Realtek High Definition Audio Codecs at a glance
| Detail | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Device type | Onboard motherboard codec |
| Connection | Analog jacks and front-panel header |
| Driver source | PC or motherboard maker package |
| Windows class driver | May restore basic playback and recording |
| Control panel | Realtek Audio Console when present |
| Common symptom | Jack sensing changes after a Windows update |
How to tell this is what you have
- Shows in Device Manager as "Realtek(R) Audio" or "Realtek High Definition Audio"
- Analog jacks on the motherboard rear panel and front-panel header
- Often paired with a Realtek Audio Console app
Worth knowing: Onboard codec used by many PCs; laptop and prebuilt owners should check the OEM-customized package from their computer maker.
Device Driver Guide does not host driver files or bundle an updater. This page documents the Realtek High Definition Audio Codecsfamily; 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 Realtek High Definition Audio Codecs
The family record names PC or motherboard maker package 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.
- Dell downloads and documentation
Dell: Use this publisher-maintained page to match the exact Dell model and operating-system release before selecting a package.
- HP downloads and documentation
HP: Use this publisher-maintained page to match the exact HP model and operating-system release before selecting a package.
- Lenovo downloads and documentation
Lenovo: Use this publisher-maintained page to match the exact Lenovo model and operating-system release before selecting a package.
- ASUS downloads and documentation
ASUS: Use this publisher-maintained page to match the exact ASUS model and operating-system release before selecting a package.
- Acer downloads and documentation
Acer: Use this publisher-maintained page to match the exact Acer model and operating-system release before selecting a package.
- Microsoft Surface downloads and documentation
Microsoft Surface: Use this publisher-maintained page to match the exact Microsoft Surface model and operating-system release before selecting a package.
- Gigabyte downloads and documentation
Gigabyte: Use this publisher-maintained page to match the exact Gigabyte model and operating-system release before selecting a package.
- MSI downloads and documentation
MSI: Use this publisher-maintained page to match the exact MSI model and operating-system release before selecting a package.
- ASRock downloads and documentation
ASRock: Use this publisher-maintained page to match the exact ASRock 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
Realtek High Definition Audio Codecs next to the other 15 families in this category
| Family | Manufacturer | Reference coverage | How you recognize it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Realtek High Definition Audio Codecs (this page) | 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" |
| NVIDIA High Definition Audio | NVIDIA | 10, 11 | Shows as "NVIDIA High Definition Audio" |
| 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 Realtek families in the catalog
Realtek hardware documented outside audio & sound
| Family | Category | Reference coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Realtek PCIe Gigabit and 2.5G Ethernet | Network & Wi-Fi | Varies by exact adapter, system or board model, package, and release; verify the official support page |
| Realtek Wireless LAN Adapters | Network & Wi-Fi | Varies by exact adapter, system or board model, package, and release; verify the official support page |
| Realtek Bluetooth Adapters | Bluetooth | Varies by exact radio or peripheral model, package, and release; verify the official support page |
| Realtek PCIe/USB Card Reader Controller | Card Readers | 10, 11 |
| Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller | Ethernet & LAN | Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page |
| Realtek PCIe 2.5GbE Family Controller | Ethernet & LAN | Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page |
| Realtek USB GbE Family Controller | Ethernet & LAN | Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page |
| Realtek Virtual Audio Endpoint (companion feature) | Virtual Devices | 10/11 only where the exact PC/board audio package lists it |