Realtek Digital Output no sound

Realtek Digital Output usually refers to the S/PDIF (optical/coax) digital audio output. If speakers connected to the analog output work but “Realtek Digital Output” is silent, focus on the driver and output path for that specific device.

Try the following steps on Windows 11:

1. Update or reinstall the Realtek audio driver
   1. In the search box on the taskbar, type device manager, then select it.
   2. Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
   3. Right‑click the Realtek audio device (for example, Realtek(R) Audio or similar).
   4. Select Update driver → Search automatically for drivers and complete the wizard.
   5. If there is still no sound on the digital output, right‑click the same device again and select Uninstall device.
   6. Check Attempt to remove the driver for this device, then select Uninstall.
   7. Restart the PC so Windows reinstalls the audio driver automatically.
2. Try the generic Windows audio driver
   1. Open Device Manager again.
   2. Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
   3. Right‑click the Realtek device → Update driver.
   4. Select Browse my computer for drivers → Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
   5. Choose the High Definition Audio Device (generic driver), select Next, and follow the prompts.
   6. Test the Realtek Digital Output again.
3. If the issue started after a Windows or driver update, roll back the driver
   1. In Device Manager, right‑click the Realtek audio device → Properties.
   2. Go to the Driver tab and select Roll Back Driver (if available).
   3. Follow the instructions and select Yes to roll back.
   4. Test the Realtek Digital Output.
4. If rolling back does not help, restore from a system restore point created before the problem
   1. Use the steps in Recovery options in Windows under “Restore from a system restore point” to revert the system to a time when the digital output worked.

If none of these steps restore sound on Realtek Digital Output, continue using the working “Speakers” device or contact the motherboard manufacturer for a board‑specific Realtek driver and S/PDIF configuration guidance.

References:

• Fix sound or audio problems in Windows
• Audio issues after win11 25h2 update - Microsoft Q&A
• cannot increase volume even if trouble shooter updates it - Microsoft Q&A
• How to fix this. no audio device is installed - Microsoft Q&A
• My audio inputs and outputs suddenly disappeared, how do i fix this? - Microsoft Q&A