Hi Julian,
Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.
We understand how difficult it could be and we truly appreciate the time and effort that you have taken to work on this issue. However, we would need some more information regarding the issue.
- May I know the make and model of the computer?
- How are you trying to re-install drivers?
Meanwhile, we would suggest you to follow the methods mentioned below and check.
Method 1: Delete the audio driver in Device Manager.
- Open Device Manager.
- Click on View and select Show hidden Devices.
- Look for Other devices and Unknown devices, if there are any.
- Then uninstall all drivers with the yellow exclamation mark under Other and Unknown devices.
- Make sure to check the box behind Delete the driver software for this device.
- Restart the computer to complete the process.
- Click on Actions in the menu bar and select Scan for hardware changes.
- Then check if the resolves the issue.
- If not, click on Action again and choose Add legacy hardware.
- Follow on screen instructions to add Sound, video and game controllers and Realtek High Definition Audio Device category.
- If the issue still persists, expand System Devices in Device Manager.
- Look for Microsoft UAA Bus Driver for High Definition Audio and right click on the same and select Disable.
- Then try installing Realtek Drivers and check.
Method 2: Install audio driver from repository.
- Open Device Manager.
- Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
- Right click on the audio driver under the tree select Update driver.
- Choose Browse my computer for driver software.
- Click on Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer.
- Select Realtek High Definition Audio.
- Then check if the issue persists.
For more information, you may follow this thread on How to: Install and Update Hardware Drivers in Windows 10 by “Andre Da Costa”.
Hope it helps.