Realtek PCIe/USB Card Reader Controller
Realtek supplies multiple PCIe and USB card-reader controller generations used in some PCs. The Realtek name alone is insufficient: match the hardware ID, PC model, supported operating system, and package's compatible-system list. An OEM may publish this as a separate card-reader driver under a chipset category; no family-wide sleep or performance result is guaranteed.
Family profile
- Reference coverage
- 10, 11
- Hardware category
- Card Readers
- Manufacturer
- Realtek
- Related families listed
- 12 in this category, 9 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 PCIe/USB Card Reader Controller at a glance
| Detail | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Reader type | Integrated host controller behind a built-in slot |
| Connection | Internal PCIe or USB inside the machine |
| Driver needed | Use the driver path listed for the exact controller and PC |
| Driver source | Exact PC model page; often a separate card-reader package |
| Wake-from-sleep | Troubleshoot by exact model; no family-wide guarantee |
| Speed ceiling | Set by the controller's supported card modes |
How to tell this is what you have
- May list a Realtek PCIe or USB card reader controller in Device Manager
- Hardware ID and exact PC model distinguish controller generations
Worth knowing: Common integrated laptop reader controller. Use the computer maker's model-specific package instead of a generic download.
Device Driver Guide does not host driver files or bundle an updater. This page documents the Realtek PCIe/USB Card Reader Controllerfamily; 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 card readers directoryPackage path for Realtek PCIe/USB Card Reader Controller
The family record names Exact PC model page; often a separate card-reader 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 card readers 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.
- 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 class drivers included in Windows
Microsoft Learn: Class-driver context for conforming USB devices; this does not establish features or support for an unnamed reader.
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 card readers families to compare
Realtek PCIe/USB Card Reader Controller next to the other 12 families in this category
| Family | Manufacturer | Reference coverage | How you recognize it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Realtek PCIe/USB Card Reader Controller (this page) | Realtek | 10, 11 | May list a Realtek PCIe or USB card reader controller in Device Manager |
| Dell integrated media card reader driver (Latitude, XPS, Inspiron) | Dell | 10, 11 | Only configurations physically equipped with a reader apply |
| HP integrated media card reader driver (EliteBook, Pavilion, ENVY) | HP | 10, 11 | Slot on an EliteBook, Pavilion, or ENVY chassis |
| Lenovo integrated card reader driver (ThinkPad, IdeaPad, Yoga) | Lenovo | 10, 11 | Slot on a ThinkPad, IdeaPad, or Yoga chassis |
| ASUS integrated card reader driver (Zenbook, Vivobook, laptops) | ASUS | 10, 11 | Slot on a Zenbook or Vivobook chassis |
| Acer integrated card reader driver (Aspire, Swift, Predator) | Acer | 10, 11 | Slot on an Aspire, Swift, or Predator chassis |
| Microsoft Surface storage/reader components | Microsoft Surface | 10, 11 | First verify that the exact Surface model has a memory-card slot |
| MSI integrated card reader driver (laptops) | MSI | 10, 11 | Slot on an MSI laptop chassis |
| Gigabyte / Aorus integrated card reader driver (laptops) | Gigabyte | 10, 11 | Slot on a Gigabyte or Aorus laptop |
| Kingston USB card readers (Workflow / MobileLite) | Kingston | 10, 11 | External USB reader on a cable, not a built-in slot |
| Samsung microSD USB reader/adapter | Samsung | 10, 11 | Compact USB adapter for a single microSD card |
| SanDisk / Western Digital USB card readers (ImageMate) | Western Digital | 10, 11 | External ImageMate USB reader |
| ASRock desktop board USB/card reader header support | ASRock | 10, 11 | Front-panel reader wired to a motherboard USB header |
Other Realtek families in the catalog
Realtek hardware documented outside card readers
| Family | Category | Reference coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Realtek High Definition Audio Codecs | Audio & Sound | 10, 11 |
| Realtek USB Audio | Audio & Sound | 10, 11 |
| 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 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 |