How to Fix Realtek HD Audio Manager Is Missing [4 Tested Ways]

When the Realtek Audio Universal Service is missing, your sound may stop working properly because this service manages key audio functions and enhancements.

It can go missing due to corrupted or outdated drivers, incorrect installation, Windows updates, or driver conflicts. Although the service itself doesn’t show in Device Manager, a missing Realtek audio device there usually means the driver is missing or disabled.

To fix this, try reinstalling or updating Realtek audio drivers, checking Windows services, running the audio troubleshooter, scanning for hardware changes in Device Manager, and installing Windows updates. If needed, fully uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers often resolves the issue.

Here’s how you do all that:

1. Enable Realtek HD Audio Manager on the Startup tab

DIFFICULTY

Easy

DURATION

3 minutes

WHAT YOU NEED

Windows 10

You have an intuitive and practical method that will surely help you enable your Realtek HD Audio Manager by using Task Manager, as described in this solution.

1. 1. Right-click the Start menu and select Task Manager.

   

2. 2. Next, select the Startup tab.

   

3. 3. Then right-click Realtek HD Audio Manager and select Enable if it’s disabled.

   

4. 4. Close the Task Manager, and restart Windows.

2. Select the Display icon in the notification area option

1. Press the Windows key + R hotkey.
2. Type Control Panel in Run’s Open box and click the OK button.
   
3. Click the View by menu to select Large icons.
   
4. Click Realtek HD Audio Manager, then click the Information button.
5. Next, select the Display icon in notification area option on the Information window.
   
6. Click the OK button.
7. Check if the Realtek HD Audio Manager icon has appeared in the system tray.

Read more about this topic

• Fix: Realtek High Definition Audio Driver has a problem
• FIX: Sound problems in Windows 10 [Realtek]
• Headphones not detected in Windows 10 or 11 [Easy Fix]

3. Update the Realtek HD Audio Driver

A missing Realtek Audio Manager can also be a driver issue. Try updating the Realtek HD Audio driver by downloading the latest one from the Realtek website.

It sounds just right, but this solution takes time and attention. You must also pay attention to installing the correct driver, or you might be hit by the same problem again.

A much simpler and faster solution is to use a third-party solution that will update or fix all your drivers in just a few seconds with minimum effort.

4. Reinstall the Realtek HD Audio Driver

1. Press the Windows key + X keyboard shortcut, and select Device Manager.
   
2. Double-click Sound, video, and game controllers to expand that category.
3. Right-click Realtek High Definition Audio to select Uninstall device.
   
4. Select the Delete the driver software for this device option.
5. Click the Uninstall button.
6. Restart Windows after uninstalling the driver.

NOTE

If, for some reason, Windows doesn’t reinstall it, download the latest Realtek High Definition Audio driver from the Realtek website, and install the driver.

Why is Realtek Audio Manager missing?

If Realtek Audio Manager is missing, you may have Realtek HD Audio Driver issues on Windows 11, but most of them can be easily fixed.

It’s possible that your installation is damaged, and to fix it, you need to uninstall it and download ASUS Realtek HD Audio Manager again.

Issues with drivers can also cause this problem, and to fix it, you need to reinstall the audio driver and check if that helps.

Do you need Realtek HD Audio Manager?

The most used sound driver for Windows systems, Realtek High Definition Audio Driver helps control surround sound, Dolby, and DTS sound systems on your computer. Removing this driver would result in major audio problems because you need it for your audio device to function on the computer.

Those are some of the resolutions that might restore a missing Realtek Audio Manager in Windows 10. They will be helpful if the Realtek HD Audio Manager is missing in advanced settings or the Control Panel.

When the issue arises after a Windows 10 build update, you might also be able to roll back the build update to fix the problem.

If the manager is missing entirely, don’t worry, we’ve put together a full guide on how to download Realtek HD Audio Manager on Windows 11 with working installation options from OEMs and trusted tools.

Those fixes should help restore the missing Realtek HD Audio Manager in Windows 10 or 11.

If it’s still not showing, you might be dealing with other issues like the Realtek Audio Console not supporting your machine, Realtek HD Audio Manager not opening, or the Realtek driver error 0001.

For help configuring your speakers, microphone, and sound enhancements after you restore the driver, see this detailed guide on how to use Realtek Audio in Windows 11.

Other important resources can help you troubleshoot and update your audio drivers effectively. For a comprehensive list, check out the best audio drivers for Windows 10.

If you’re using Windows 11, here’s a handy guide on downloading the latest audio drivers. For issues with external devices, this article on the Windows USB audio driver can be useful. And if you’re facing a generic audio driver error, this generic audio driver problem guide offers practical fixes.

If you have any other suggestions or know about other possible solutions, drop us a line in the comments section below.