HP Realtek audio card and driver missing Windows 11

Hazel123 · Mar 15, 2026

So. Since my clean install on this laptop a while back, the sound works but isn't quite loud enough on full volume sometimes. I remembered previously on this laptop, I had to find the settings for equaliser and bass to boost it. But couldn't find them anywhere. I think because they are part of the realtek driver which is missing. Checked in device manager and I just have High definition Audio device (with a Microsoft driver) and Intel Display Audio with an Intel driver. The realtek card doesn't appear in the list. I went to the HP site and downloaded the latest Realtek audio driver (2020) which is actually for Windows 10 - there aren't any HP drivers specifically for Windows 11 for this model. That downloads the driver installer. Running that it goes so far and then doesn't install. So I then tried right clicking in device manager to update driver and install it that way and it just says - the best driver is already installed. Then I tried right clicking the installer and choosing run as administrator and it still doesn't install.

So I then went to view, show hidden devices. Definitely no realtek card in device manager.

I mean the sound works, but I just want to adjust it so it's louder! Any suggestions? HP Support Assistant doesn't work on Windows 11 btw. So it's a case of finding the driver and downloading it.

XxXxX · Mar 16, 2026

i found these for realtek audio drivers

Realtek

www.realtek.com

also from Windows update catalog

Microsoft Update Catalog

best of luck Steve ..

joeandmarg0 · Mar 16, 2026

In the Search box,type in ---dxdiag ---and open the diagnostic tool.
In the System page ,uncheck the WHQL box,which then allows you to download any driver.Do not leave it permanently unchecked.
Also go through the other pages for comments,in particular the Sound pages.

werty · Mar 16, 2026

Hi,

Did you try to uninstall the current Microsoft audio driver and then to run the Realtek driver installer?

Try3 · Mar 16, 2026

Hazel123 said:
isn't quite loud enough

And do check for volume controls built into the application you are using.
Just by way of example, WMP has a volume control that overrides the system volume control. It also has an equaliser that is accessible in a context menu shown only when in the Now playing view.

I do think your driver installation failures are a sign of a system problem that you ought to investigate even if you manage to get the volume acceptable.

Best of luck,
Denis

Hazel123 · Mar 16, 2026

werty said:
Hi,

Did you try to uninstall the current Microsoft audio driver and then to run the Realtek driver installer?

Yep. Thanks all. I gave up on it for now.

Hazel123 · Mar 16, 2026

Try3 said:
And do check for volume controls built into the application you are using.
Just by way of example, WMP has a volume control that overrides the system volume control. It also has an equaliser that is accessible in a context menu shown only when in the Now playing view.

I do think your driver installation failures are a sign of a system problem that you ought to investigate even if you manage to get the volume acceptable.

Best of luck,
Denis

It's only the realtek one. I just find it odd the realtek card isn't showing in device manager - although presumably that's because the realtek driver isn't installed?. I'm just assuming the Windows 10 driver from 2020 maybe isn't compatible or has issues. I did read something about a security issue with some HP realtek drivers. The sound has never been that loud on these laptops (I have three the same), but with the realtek driver installed I could usually get it louder with base and equaliser settings which aren't there now. However this is the only one of those three laptops that has 25H2 on.

Try3 · Mar 17, 2026

Hazel123 said:
presumably that's because the realtek driver isn't installed?

Yes.

Hazel123 said:
base and equaliser settings which aren't there now

I have only ever seen those in applications.

I added these Trust Mila 2.0 PC Speaker Set - Argos
- They can be as loud as I ever want.
- I only looked at ones that were USB-powered.
- I bought a pair for the living room so I can play things loud enough from my desk while I'm on the other side of the room in my loafing chair.

Denis

Try3 · Mar 18, 2026

Hazel123 said:
I went to the HP site and downloaded the latest Realtek audio driver (2020)

If you post a link to that file then I'll take a look at it.
And tell me what procedure(s) you used to try to install it.

Denis

Helmut · Mar 18, 2026

Drivers are not specifically Microsoft or Realtek, and Laptops tend to have a basic sound chip(Realtek, or whatever) with an extra APO(Audio Processing Object) App. The APO App varies with laptop manufacturers.
The Volume Stabiliser probably in the APO rather than Realtek.

On my Laptop there are 5 drivers in the detail (Device Manager > Sound > Realtek(R) Audio), 2 of that from Realtek and 3 from Microsoft.

Plus additional sound related ones from Microsoft, Intel SST, Nvidia, Nahimic/Elevoc(APO App).
All drivers come from Laptop manufacturer along with others from Windows updates.

The APO App may not work that well in some respects, you can use others if you wish.

Laptop speakers are always pathetic, particularly lower frequencies(Bass) due to the constraints of size. Much better to use good Headphones/Headset.

Winuser · Mar 18, 2026

If you can't find a driver that works, give FxSound a try. FxSound | Boost Your Sound Experience Now I have it installed on both of my desktop computers. You may find that one of the presets will do want you want. If not it has more settings than one can shake a stick at.

Hazel123 · Mar 18, 2026

Try3 said:
If you post a link to that file then I'll take a look at it.
And tell me what procedure(s) you used to try to install it.

Denis

Thank you. It's the Realtek Dec 16, 2020 audio driver on this page. Version 6.0.9049.1 Rev.C 554.7mb

https://support.hp.com/gb-en/drivers/hp-pavilion-14-ce3000-laptop-pc-series/model/33312277?sku=9MF19EA&serialnumber=5CD0219J32

That downloads the sp number installer. Running that goes so far and then fails. I then tried doing it from device manager via update driver, search this computer. I was at the point of trying to extract the .inf file by extracting the file in 7 zip - and couldn't even see a .inf file!

The fact that it doesn't seem to want to install (Even after uninstalling the device and existing installer) suggested to me that it just wasn't compatible.

I appreciate you having a look. I can live with the existing sound, so it's not crucial.

This is all I have in device manager - however I am using the latest graphics driver direct from Intel (as the 2020 HP one is no good any more) - and that also seems to install something to do with audio at the same time - so maybe a conflict?

Hazel123 · Mar 18, 2026

I noticed that file is in the Microsoft Update catalogue - same number 6.0.9049.1 except it doesn't say rev C and says 10.8mb. It appears multiple times. All 2020.

Try3 · Mar 18, 2026

Hazel123 said:
It's the Realtek Dec 16, 2020 audio driver

It contains an OS check and stops unless you have Windows 10 Version 20H1. But I also found an additional ref to Windows 10 Version 20H2.
It also makes use of the deprecated cmd WMIC.
It is supposed to display a vbs MsgBox telling you this.
It creates a log file C:\system.sav\Logs\xxxxxxxxx_driver_install.log
I've never noticed such a specific Version check before.
I don't think there is any solution.

Hazel123 said:
graphics driver ... that also seems to install something to do with audio at the same time

Having an Intel Display audio device is normal.
I have one. If I recall correctly, it is only used when I use an external display.
I would not expect it to be the cause of any of your problems.

Hazel123 said:
I noticed that file is in the Microsoft Update catalogue - same number 6.0.9049.1 except it doesn't say rev C and says 10.8mb

The HP link was for a 554MB file.
Perhaps the 10.8MB one will install.

Denis

Hazel123 · Mar 18, 2026

Thanks. The Microsoft one is a cabinet file is that why the file size is smaller? I guess the HP Windows 10 one just isn't compatible in it;s HP downloadable form.

Try3 · Mar 18, 2026

Hazel123 said:
The Microsoft one is a cabinet file is that why the file size is smaller?

No, that will not be the reason.
cab files are essentially just like zip files. Your HP driver hardly changes in size when it is zipped up.
I expect that the HP one includes audio applications.
Personally, I think the MSUC one is worth a try.

Denis

Hazel123 · Mar 18, 2026

Try3 said:
No, that will not be the reason.
cab files are essentially just like zip files. Your HP driver hardly changes in size when it is zipped up.
I expect that the HP one includes audio applications.
Personally, I think the MSUC one is worth a try.

Denis

Thank you. Yes the HP one installs some B&O software as well.

Ghot · Mar 18, 2026

@Hazel123

Did you try installing the driver you linked in post #12, in Safe Mode?

Like this...

1. Disable drivers included with Windows Updates.

Enable or Disable Include Drivers with Windows Updates in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable including drivers with Windows Updates in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Windows Update will include drivers when available in Windows 11 by default. You can enable the Do not include drivers with Windows Updates policy to not include drivers...

www.elevenforum.com

2. Download the driver linked in post #12 and save it to your desktop.
3. Reboot into Safe Mode [Safe Boot (Minimal) ]
4. Try to install the driver in Safe Mode.

Another option would be...

1. Restore the last Windows 10 backup you have, or the last backup where the audio worked.
2. Then do an In-Place Upgrade from Win 10 to Win 11.
3. Even though you'll be ON Windows 10... when you do the In-Place upgrade, use the Win 11 ISO.

Repair Install Windows 11 with an In-place Upgrade

This tutorial will show you how to do a repair install of Windows 11 by performing an in-place upgrade without losing anything. If you need to repair or create a new recovery partition or having problems with the Windows 11 operating system on your PC, and the usual solutions will not fix it...

www.elevenforum.com

Helmut · Mar 18, 2026

You need to install the B&O APO and probably HP Audio Boost 1.0 as listed in specs. I presume that is in the driver package as it is so large.

Had you not done a clean install and used windows updates from Windows 10 everything would probably be working better.

"I noticed that file is in the Microsoft Update catalogue - same number 6.0.9049.1 except it doesn't say rev C and says 10.8mb. It appears multiple times. All 2020."
If you look in more detail you will find they are from various manufacturers, obviously look for HP and match up other details.

Hazel123 · Mar 18, 2026

I'm going to leave it. AI (I know) says it's unlikely to work as 25H2 requires special "servicing drivers" to avoid audio failure after updates. This machine needed a clean install. It worked much better than trying to upgrade from Windows 10. Everything else is fine. The microsoft driver works. I just have less flexibility to increase sound.

HP Realtek audio card and driver missing Windows 11

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