What are the common audio driver errors in Windows 10 and how do you fix them?

1 Error Codes

When you encounter an audio driver issue in Windows 10, you might see specific error codes such as "Code 10" or "Code 28". These errors typically indicate that the driver is either missing, outdated, or incompatible with your system. To resolve these issues, you can visit the Device Manager, locate the sound, video and game controllers section, right-click on your audio device, and select "Update driver". If that doesn't work, try uninstalling the driver and restarting your computer to allow Windows to reinstall it automatically.

3 Audio Stutters

Audio stuttering or glitching can be particularly irritating. This can happen if the audio driver is outdated or if there's a conflict with other software. To fix stuttering, open the Device Manager, navigate to your audio device, and update the driver. If that doesn't help, check for any software that might be conflicting with the audio drivers, such as a digital audio workstation (DAW), and consider updating or temporarily disabling it to see if that resolves the issue.

4 Distorted Sound

Sometimes, Windows 10 users experience distorted or crackling sound, which can be due to incorrect audio settings or faulty drivers. To fix this, right-click the sound icon in the taskbar, select "Sounds", go to the Playback tab, and configure your speakers or headphones properly. If this doesn't solve the problem, updating or rolling back the audio driver in the Device Manager may help.

5 Missing Enhancements

Audio enhancements can improve the sound quality of your system, but sometimes these options go missing. This can be caused by an improper audio driver update or a Windows update that has affected the audio settings. To restore enhancements, open the Sound settings by right-clicking the sound icon in the taskbar, go to the Playback tab, select your device, click "Properties", and check under the "Enhancements" tab if any options are available.

6 Device Manager Errors

Device Manager is a crucial tool for managing drivers but can sometimes display its own set of errors. For instance, you might encounter a yellow exclamation mark next to your audio device, indicating a problem with the driver installation. To fix this, try updating the driver from within Device Manager. If that doesn't work, you may need to download and install the latest driver manually from the manufacturer's website.

7 Here’s what else to consider

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