Realtek Audio 24H2 Drivers Dilemma

I want to clean install 24H2 (currently on 23H2) but for some reason I can't find certain compatible audio software components for my Realtek Audio on WUC anymore.

I downloaded the latest 24H2 Audio Universal Service component from WUC based on the hardware-id SWC\VEN_10EC&SID_0001 but when I run the downloaded Powershell script that I got from Elevenforum (Check-DCHDriverCompatibility) it says that it's NOT compatible. There are multiple instances of this component on WUC but they only differ by update-id's. Is the incompatibility caused by me currently being on 23H2 instead of 24H2?

Furthermore, there is no 24H2 version of the Audio Processing Object component on WUC for my hardware id
SWC\VEN_10EC&AID_0001

Anyone who can help me find compatible drivers specifically on WUC for my hardware-id's?

JohnnyGui said:

for some reason I can't find certain compatible audio software components for my Realtek Audio on WUC anymore.

Click to expand...

Go to Gigabyte and download all the drivers on your mobo support page. As new as it is, any drivers there should work for 24h2. Store them on external media. Install windows with a local account offline, Pay attention to ALL the steps in the tutorial. Clean Install Windows 11 Tutorial

Manually install the drivers you downloaded before connecting to the internet. Just be sure to stop driver updates coming in with windows update first. Since you have Pro I suggest your use the group policy option #1

Once all drivers are installed you can connect to the internet. Going forward, either manually keep your drivers updated or use the Gigabyte Control Center app (also on the driver download page) to keep your drivers maintained. Allowing WU to maintain your drivers can get you into trouble as it's been know to install older drivers.

JohnnyGui said:

I want to clean install 24H2 (currently on 23H2) but for some reason I can't find certain compatible audio software components for my Realtek Audio on WUC anymore.

I downloaded the latest 24H2 Audio Universal Service component from WUC based on the hardware-id SWC\VEN_10EC&SID_0001 but when I run the downloaded Powershell script that I got from Elevenforum (Check-DCHDriverCompatibility) it says that it's NOT compatible. There are multiple instances of this component on WUC but they only differ by update-id's. Is the incompatibility caused by me currently being on 23H2 instead of 24H2?

Furthermore, there is no 24H2 version of the Audio Processing Object component on WUC for my hardware id
SWC\VEN_10EC&AID_0001

Anyone who can help me find compatible drivers specifically on WUC for my hardware-id's?

Click to expand...

Hello, I have that same Hardware ID for Realtek APO and you can download the latest update (13.1.6000.1076) here on MUC... btw, the two links MS provides for 24H2 are the exact same thing, exact same download link:
Realtek APO 13.1.6000.1076

Regarding Audio Universal Service, even though the Hardware ID might be compatible with what you have (in your case and also mine it's swc\ven_10ec&sid_0001), you should ALWAYS make sure who the Company is. This is done by clicking on the options provided under "Title"and taking a look at the "Company" to the right in the pop-up. It should ALWAYS match the Driver Provider you have (as can be seen via Device Manager):
Realtek Audio Universal Service 1.0.788.0

asturias7 said:

Hello, I have that same Hardware ID for Realtek APO and you can download the latest update (13.1.6000.1076) here on MUC... btw, the two links MS provides for 24H2 are the exact same thing, exact same download link:
Realtek APO 13.1.6000.1076

Regarding Audio Universal Service, even though the Hardware ID might be compatible with what you have (in your case and also mine it's swc\ven_10ec&sid_0001), you should ALWAYS make sure who the Company is. This is done by clicking on the options provided under "Title"and taking a look at the "Company" to the right in the pop-up. It should ALWAYS match the Driver Provider you have (as can be seen via Device Manager):
Realtek Audio Universal Service 1.0.788.0

Click to expand...

Ah I found the 24H2 version of the APO component in your link thanks!

However, I downloaded all the possible 24H2 Audio Universal Service drivers from your 2nd link with Realtek shown as the company butthey are ALL not compatible according to the check.



What gives?

Update:
So I also tested the compatibility of Audio Unversal Service driver for "22H2 and later" and the script is still telling me they're NOT compatible with my hardware-id. I'm currently on 23H2

I'm confused...

JohnnyGui said:

So I also tested the compatibility of Audio Unversal Service driver for "22H2 and later" and the script is still telling me they're NOT compatible with my hardware-id. I'm currently on 23H2

Click to expand...

I have no idea what driver you are referring to. According to the gigabyte site the driver that should work for your motherboard is
Realtek [6.0.9689.1] dated 7/9/24

The driver is right there on the gigabyte link I gave you above. All other audios drivers you may have installed should be removed first.

glasskuter said:

I have no idea what driver you are referring to. According to the gigabyte site the driver that should work for your motherboard is
Realtek [6.0.9689.1] dated 7/9/24

The driver is right there on the gigabyte link I gave you above. All other audios drivers you may have installed should be removed first.

Click to expand...

I already installed the gigabyte driver without issues. I am talking about updating the audio components through the Windows Update Catalog.

Sorry, I misunderstood. I can tell you that I did a clean install on 24h2 offline and set group policy to not include drivers with windows update. I then installed all drivers I had downloaded from my OEM. As soon as I connected to the internet, I got this. My actual realtek driver version is the the one from my OEM. It's like my group policy setting had no bearing on extensions and software components.


You MIGHT could completely remove your Realtek including its driver and restart. Run Driver Store Explorer and make sure nothing related to Realtek shows up. Then see if WU would correct everything, including Realtek driver and all components. Just thinking out loud here. GitHub - lostindark/DriverStoreExplorer: Driver Store Explorer [RAPR]

glasskuter said:

Sorry, I misunderstood. I can tell you that I did a clean install on 24h2 offline and set group policy to not include drivers with windows update. I then installed all drivers I had downloaded from my OEM. As soon as I connected to the internet, I got this. My actual realtek driver version is the the one from my OEM. It's like my group policy setting had no bearing on extensions and software components.

View attachment 112670
You MIGHT could completely remove your Realtek including its driver and restart. Run Driver Store Explorer and make sure nothing related to Realtek shows up. Then see if WU would correct everything, including Realtek driver and all components. Just thinking out loud here. GitHub - lostindark/DriverStoreExplorer: Driver Store Explorer [RAPR]

Click to expand...

Thanks. I never get these audio components automatically through Windows Update, even if I delete all the Realtek related drivers. I always manually download and install them from the Windows Update Catalog without any compatibility issues. This is the first time the script stating that 1 of the components is not compatible. So I thought maybe someone could find me a compatible one through WUC.

JohnnyGui said:

I already installed the gigabyte driver without issues. I am talking about updating the audio components through the Windows Update Catalog.

Click to expand...

Don't! The official drivers from manufacturer are always better than those on Windows Update. Also you get the full package, not just the driver to make audio work. I prefer having an older official driver than a newer (but usually inferior) from Windows Update. That's why I use Windows Update Show/Hide Tool or Windows Automatic Update Manager (WAU Manager) to hide (block) driver updates on old computers.

I lean towards what spapakons said as there's no serious need to update the Realtek audio software components from Microsoft Update Catalog.

also the previous 6.0.9689.1 Realtek audio driver is no longer available from the Gigabyte web site as it was replaced by the 6.0.9733.1 driver version in late October (actually 10/22 to be exact), which fixes certain audio problems that this person from Reddit had experienced and is fully compatible with Win11 24H2.

JohnnyGui said:

I already installed the gigabyte driver without issues. I am talking about updating the audio components through the Windows Update Catalog.

Click to expand...

Why?! Did Microsoft dropped support for your Audio-card using the OEM drivers?!

Sound-cards/chips drivers - are rather simple by design. Unless the driver is broken - there's no reason to fix/update it. New releases of drivers for same chips - are usually tied to new/different motherboards using same or similar audio-chips - thus, they have a new version name (never saw any "release notes" for this audio drivers - only OEMs fixing issues tend to attach release notes for audio-chips) - but when it comes to sound-cards - OEM drivers are usually the best approach. It's not a video-card - to get some optimization for new games/apps and such. Even Network cards are more complicated - while having all the core features embed directly in the driver. Besides the driver, for sound-cards - we have Audio Components (or APOs) - which get uprgaded/improved - updated by Microsoft for the sake of compatibility - but they're designed to work with the OEM driver.

"I never get these audio components automatically through Windows Update,"
"but for some reason I can't find certain compatible audio software components for my Realtek Audio on WUC anymore."

That I do not believe unless you deliberately stopped diagnostic info, and did not give a chance for Windows Updates to get diagnostic data and get you the right updates.

Looking at the one I am using now there have been around 7 Updates to elements of the sound system which include Realtek, Nahimic, Intel, MS and so forth.
Similar to the image in post #8.

"I am talking about updating the audio components through the Windows Update Catalog."
"I'm confused..."

Well nigh impossible to get the correct elements manually from the MS update catalogue. I have gotten updates from Windows updates that were never in the MS update catalogue, maybe they had customisations, could not careless, what mattered was that they worked just fine, great result for consumers and minimum effort.

As I keep noticing - Audio Components Updates - are sometimes released as Optional Updates:

Windows Updates > Advanced Options > Optional Updates

Why touch a working OEM driver? As I said before Windows Update is the bare minimum. If you want the full package with all the features and the audio control panel, always install the OEM driver when available, avoid WU. Even hide (block) the related updates so they won't replace your OEM drivers removing features, or even worse causing issues. I have seen that happening, that's why I insist.

Helmut said:

"I never get these audio components automatically through Windows Update,"
"but for some reason I can't find certain compatible audio software components for my Realtek Audio on WUC anymore."

That I do not believe unless you deliberately stopped diagnostic info, and did not give a chance for Windows Updates to get diagnostic data and get you the right updates.

Looking at the one I am using now there have been around 7 Updates to elements of the sound system which include Realtek, Nahimic, Intel, MS and so forth.
Similar to the image in post #8.

"I am talking about updating the audio components through the Windows Update Catalog."
"I'm confused..."

Well nigh impossible to get the correct elements manually from the MS update catalogue. I have gotten updates from Windows updates that were never in the MS update catalogue, maybe they had customisations, could not careless, what mattered was that they worked just fine, great result for consumers and minimum effort.

Click to expand...

In PC Info -> Advanced Settings the setting to "offer icons and drivers for other devices" is enabled. And I already receive Bluetooth, Intel drivers and nVidia drivers through WU, so it's not that driver updates are disabled in my case. Which diagnostic data should I enable speciifcally to receive Realtek Audio components?

As for the audio components through WUC, the ones that mention your hardware-ids and the same Company name as your brand should be the correct drivers for your sound card.

spapakons said:

Why touch a working OEM driver? As I said before Windows Update is the bare minimum. If you want the full package with all the features and the audio control panel, always install the OEM driver when available, avoid WU. Even hide (block) the related updates so they won't replace your OEM drivers removing features, or even worse causing issues. I have seen that happening, that's why I insist.

Click to expand...

I have been updating the audio components (after installing the Gigabyte OEM version) for years via WUC and never had any issues. I thought newer versions of these components improve or fix certain aspects of the drivers?

neves said:

As I keep noticing - Audio Components Updates - are sometimes released as Optional Updates:

Windows Updates > Advanced Options > Optional Updates

Click to expand...

I receive Bluetooth drivers but never Audio Components for some reason.

neves said:

Why?! Did Microsoft dropped support for your Audio-card using the OEM drivers?!

Sound-cards/chips drivers - are rather simple by design. Unless the driver is broken - there's no reason to fix/update it. New releases of drivers for same chips - are usually tied to new/different motherboards using same or similar audio-chips - thus, they have a new version name (never saw any "release notes" for this audio drivers - only OEMs fixing issues tend to attach release notes for audio-chips) - but when it comes to sound-cards - OEM drivers are usually the best approach. It's not a video-card - to get some optimization for new games/apps and such. Even Network cards are more complicated - while having all the core features embed directly in the driver. Besides the driver, for sound-cards - we have Audio Components (or APOs) - which get uprgaded/improved - updated by Microsoft for the sake of compatibility - but they're designed to work with the OEM driver.

Click to expand...

I don't understand your last sentence. Are you saying that I should update the APO driver through WU but not the other 2 components (Universal Service and Hardware Application)? I always update these 3 components.

It is just placebo (false feeling you have something better) when you already have latest OEM drivers and you also installed front WU. In fact you have less features and you have not realised it.

Microsoft confirms even more Windows 11 24H2 bugs: audio output is now affected​

JohnnyGui said:

I receive Bluetooth drivers but never Audio Components for some reason.

Click to expand...

Then there's no updates available. If you install based on ID - you're either using drivers from a different OEM (for example ASUS - while owning Gigabyte), or for same audio chip - embed in/with a different motherboard. But not all motherboards are built the same. It's why even intel recommends to use the OEM drivers - cause their "universal/generic" drivers - might interfere with specific OEM embed software intended for a particular model. The audio chip might still work even with a generic driver - just limited. There's also cases (and not just a few) - where using a Driver intended for a difrent mobo - causes issues for your particular model (such as - loosing sound whenever your PC goes to sleep and wakes-up).

JohnnyGui said:

I don't understand your last sentence. Are you saying that I should update the APO driver through WU but not the other 2 components (Universal Service and Hardware Application)? I always update these 3 components.

Click to expand...

If the come-up with Windows Updates - install them, just don't look for those (using Microsoft Update Catalog) - based on ID. Point being, if they do apear in Windows Updates - it means Microsoft devs - tested them "using your specific motherboard (not just the audio-chip)". The APO (Audio Procesing Objects - or - Audio Enhancements features) is released by OEM (Asus, Dell, etc) - if not available - you get the generic one from Microsoft. Universal Service and Hardware Support Application - is released by Realtek in colaboration with Microsoft - but also rather generic. Go to Device Manager - and "Disable both" - then play with your sound, headsets/speakers and whatever you're using as audio output/imput. Do they still work?

The main Sound Driver is Realtek Audio (released by OEM / or Manufacturer - if using generuic) - paired with Microsoft's High Definition Audio Controler. The APO - is the software "enhancement" feature/app. Can be part of Audio the audio panel (audio interface) - but not necesarly, as in - you can use Realtek Audio Console for managing a clean sound - with APO (Audio Enhancements) Disabled.

Unless custom drivers from specific motherboard manufacturer enable some features, the generic Realtek drivers should work too. I have seen cases when installing the OEM driver enables some special effects or access to their own audio control panel. Some features are only available to specific models, so installing the generic Realtek driver are not enabled. Other than that the official driver should work perfectly with very rare exceptions.