Realtek AC97 Audio Driver Download

How to Update Realtek AC97 Audio Device Drivers Quickly & Easily

Step 1 - Download Your Driver

To get the Realtek AC97 Audio driver, click the green download button above. After you complete your download, move on to Step 2.

If the driver listed is not the right version or operating system, search our driver archive for the correct version. Enter Realtek AC97 Audio into the search box above and then submit. In the results, choose the best match for your PC and operating system.

Tech Tip: If you are having trouble deciding which is the right driver, try the RealTek Driver Update Utility. It is a software utility which automatically finds and downloads the right driver.

To find the newest driver, you may need to visit the RealTek website. Most major device manufacturers update their drivers regularly.

Step 2 - Install Your Driver

Once you have downloaded your new driver, you'll need to install it. In Windows, use a built-in utility called Device Manager, which allows you to see all of the devices recognized by your system, 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 a driver from Device Manager

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

2. Select the Driver tab.

3. Click the Update Driver button and follow the instructions.

In most cases, you will need to reboot your computer in order for the driver update to take effect.

Tech Tip: Driver downloads and updates come in a variety of file formats with different file extensions. For example, you may have downloaded an EXE, INF, ZIP, or SYS file. Each file type has a slighty different installation procedure to follow.

For more help, visit our Driver Support Page for step-by-step videos on how to install drivers for every file type.