Realtek not showing up in device manager nor control panel after installation.

Thanks for the quick response, Greg. However, I cannot due step 2 because I simply do not have access to Realtek. The only device I got from "Sound, video and game controllers" was my NVIDIA High Definition Audio. Realtek is also not to be found in my "Audio inputs and outputs", but my monitor for a strange reason.

I have no idea why and how but I somehow got my drivers back by messing around in my BIOS and hard resetting my computer, thanks for putting up with me regardless. Have a good rest of your day!

Hi Feet. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, here to help you.

There are fixes here for the known issue of Realtek driver not showing up in Device Manager and the Realtek Audio Manager it should install not showing up:

https://mostechtips.com/fix-realtek-not-showing...

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/realtek-hd-audio... (Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro, PC Repair Tool and Reimage ads)

https://beebom.com/how-fix-realtek-hd-audio-man...

I'll give you all possible solutions for Sound problems in order of priority, so please try any you've already tried again in order. If you have any problems performing any steps I'll be standing by here to help you.

1. See if you can System Restore to a point before the problem began following this guide: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-system-r...

System Restore is your first line of defense and can take you back to a point before a problem began. If it doesn't help then you can undo it. Read about it first in the tutorial above and then try restoring to just before this started.

If the problem repeats or System Restore doesn't work then check which Windows Updates were installed at Settings > Update & Security > Windows Updates > Update History, uninstall them there or System Restore again, then immediately check for and block the Updates with the Hide Updates tool explained here: https://www.howtogeek.com/223864/how-to-uninsta...

2. Update the sound driver from the PC or device maker's Support Downloads webpage for your exact model, Serial Number or Dell Service Tag. Go into Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start button, compare to make sure you also have the latest BIOS, Chipset, Display, Network and all other drivers.

If necessary try installing the driver in Safe Mode with Networking (so you have internet), or Safe Mode, accessed by one of these methods: https://www.digitalcitizen.life/4-ways-boot-saf...

Try rolling back the sound drivers Choose Sound controller and other audio devices, then Driver tab, then Roll back if available.

If no newer sound drivers then uninstall the one presently installed in Device Manager, reached by right clicking the Start Button. Restart PC to reinstall.

Try other and older drivers for your model Sound controller, too. For example, try the next oldest driver in the model's online Support Downloads list. To try all previous drivers installed on your system, in Device Manager choose Sound controller's Driver tab, then Update Driver, then Browse, then Let Me Pick.

Finally, try installing the latest Sound driver in Compatibility Mode as shown here:

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/win...

3. Restore the Windows Audio Service which may have become disabled: https://troubleshooter.xyz/wiki/fix-audio-servi...
4. Next try these checklists:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-US/help/402699...

https://www.howtogeek.com/443702/how-to-fix-sou...

5. Also reset the prompt to ask for which device was plugged in here:

https://windowsreport.com/you-just-plugged-unpl...

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Audio/En...

https://www.dell.com/community/Windows-10/How-g...

6. Right click Volume icon in System Tray, choose Sound Settings, from the Output and Input devices dropdown menus, choose then one(s) affected to see if that helps. If not use the Troubleshoot button nearby.
7. Run the Playing Sound troubleshooter at Start button > Settings>Update & Security>Troubleshoot.
8. Go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/wiki...

Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

9. If nothing else helps then run a Repair Install by installing the Media Creation Tool and choosing from it to Upgrade Now. This solves many problems and will also bring it up to the latest version which you need anyway and by the most stable method. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-10/m...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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I'm glad to hear it. Let me know if I can help further. I'll stay subscribed to this thread in case you need anything else, until the system locks it in a few months.

That's why it starts with installing it from the PC or motherboard maker's Support Downloads web page, to force it to show up in Device Manager, which is NOT where we start..

The most basic thing we need to learn to maintain a PC is how to keep the latest manufacturer's drivers current. Windows drivers are rarely enough.