Sound Card Drivers

A Sound Card Driver is software which enables communication between your computer and your audio card. Missing or corrupt SoundCard Drivers can cause problems such as "No Sound" or crackled or distorted sound. These problems could also be the result of improper configuration or incompatible hardware. Also, if you recently upgraded from one version of Windows to another, it is possible that your current driver is for the previous version of Windows. Recent power outages, viruses or other computer problems, can damage drivers. In all cases, downloading and installing the latest driver for your Sound Card should resolve these types of problems.

Find Driver Updates by Sound Card Model

Driver Updates for Popular Sound Card Models

Sound Card Driver Update Utility
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Roland SX 12 Driver
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Behringer BCD2000 V1.0.0.6 Driver
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CMedia AC97 Audio Device Driver
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VIA 8-TRAC VT1617 Driver
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Intel(r) 82801DB/DBM/DA AC '97 Audio Controller Driver
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CMedia CMI8738/C3DX PCI Audio Device Driver
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Realtek AC97 Audio Driver
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RealTek ALC861VC Driver
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Intel 82801EB ICH5 - AC'97 Audio Controller[A-2/A-3] Driver
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Intel 82801db Driver
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Intel(R) 82801BA/BAM AC '97 Audio Controller - 2445 Driver
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Realtek AC97 Audio Driver
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CMedia CMI8738/C3DX PCI Audio Device Driver
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VIA ac'97 Driver
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VIA internal FM Synthesis Driver
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SiS PCI Audio Accelerator Driver
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SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio Driver
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CMedia C-Media 9738 AC97 CODEC Driver
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Trident Microsystems 4DWave NX PCI (WDM) Driver
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SiS 7012 Audio Driver Driver
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Creative Labs SB0220 Driver
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VIA PCI Audio controller Driver
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Featured Sound Card Device Driver Updates

How to Update Drivers to Fix Sound Card Problems Quickly & Easily

Many Sound Card problems can be fixed by updating the drivers. After you upgrade your computer to a new operating system, such as Windows 11, problems can occur because your current driver may work only for the prior version of Windows. There are two ways you can update your Sound Card drivers.

Option 1 (Recommended): Update drivers automatically - Even computer newbies can update drivers with just a few clicks of a mouse. Use trusted software to identify, download and install the newest driver updates for your PC in one step. Your old drivers can be backed up and restored if you encounter any problems. You'll need novice to beginner level computer skills to use this method.

Option 2: Update drivers manually - Use DriverGuide to find the correct driver for your device and operating system. Next, download and install it by following the step by step instructions. You'll need average to intermediate level computer skills to use this method.

Option 1: How To Update Drivers Automatically

If you do not have the skill level or time to update your drivers manually, or are having difficulty finding the correct driver, you can do it automatically with the Sound Card Driver Update Utility.

This utility is an intelligent program which will automatically recognize your computer operating system and device. Then, it will find the correct drivers for it. There is no need to know which specific operating system you have, and there is no risk of downloading and installing the wrong driver. Automatic driver updates eliminate mistakes when installing or updating drivers.

You can scan for driver updates automatically with the FREE version of the software, and complete all necessary driver updates with the premium version.

  1. Download the Sound Card Driver Update Utility.

  2. Run the driver update utility and click the green Scan Now button. Your system will be scanned and automatically detect any problem drivers.  Driver Update Utility Scanning

  3. After the scan is complete, the utility will display a results page similar to the one below: Driver Update Utility Results

  4. Click the Update button next to the out-of-date or missing driver. The correct version will be downloaded and installed automatically. Or, you can click the big green Update All button to automatically download and install the correct version of all the drivers that are missing or out-of-date on your system.

  5. Once updating is complete, re-scan your system to verify that all drivers are up-to-date.

Option 2: How To Update Drivers Manually

To get the latest driver, including Windows 11 drivers, you can choose from our list of most popular Sound Card downloads or search our driver archive for the driver that fits your specific Sound Card model and your PC's operating system.

If you cannot find the right driver for your Sound Card, you can request the driver and we will find it for you. Or, try the automatic option instead.

Once you have downloaded the new driver, next you must remove the current driver if it is installed. On a Windows PC, you do this by using a built-in utility called Device Manager. It allows you to see all of the devices attached to the PC, and the drivers associated with them.

How to Open Device Manager

  • In Windows 11, Windows 10 & Windows 8.1, right-click the Start menu and select Device Manager

  • In Windows 8, swipe up from the bottom, or right-click anywhere on the desktop and choose "All Apps" -> swipe or scroll right and choose "Control Panel" (under Windows System section) -> Hardware and Sound -> Device Manager

  • In Windows 7, click Start -> Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Device Manager

  • In Windows Vista, click Start -> Control Panel -> System and Maintenance -> Device Manager

  • In Windows XP, click Start -> Control Panel -> Performance and Maintenance -> System -> Hardware tab -> Device Manager button

How to Install Drivers using Device Manager

The sound card driver should typically be located under a category called "Sound, video and game controllers."

  1. Locate the device that is having the issue and double-click on it to open the Properties dialog box.

  2. Click the Driver tab.

  3. Click the Uninstall button and follow the instructions.

  4. To reinstall, you can either insert the disk you have from the manufacturer, or run the installer you have downloaded onto your computer and follow the instructions.

  5. If you want to just update the driver instead of removing it, you can click the Update Driver button on the Properties window, and follow the instructions.

Visit our Driver Support Page for helpful step-by-step videos.

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