Uninstall Conexant audio driver permanently (New Method)

[l4ngx]

Because the Conexant was causing problems with my sound, I managed to uninstall it . Here’s what worked for me:
1. Get the Conexant Hardware ID:
Right-click on This pc > select device manager > then right-click on Conexant audio drivers > Properties > Details > Find Hardware Ids in property > Copy and save the Ids(Value)
2. Uninstall Conexant audio drivers:
Device manager > Right-click on Conexant audio drivers > uninstall > select checkbox(Delete driver software for this device) > Uninstall.
3. After that turn off Internet connection then restart your pc (and leave your connection turned off).You will find that there are new driver(High definition audio) installed instead of Conexant driversIf you turn on the internet connection, Conexant will be installed automatically, so make sure that it is still off.
4. Block Conexant drivers:
Method 1: Using Registry Editor (works on Windows 10/11 Home)
- Press Win + R → type regedit → Enter.
- Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceInstall\Restrictions (If the Restrictions key does not exist, create it manually.)
- Inside Restrictions, create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named: DenyDeviceIDs → set its value to 1.
- Create a subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceInstall\Restrictions\DenyDeviceIDs
- Inside DenyDeviceIDs, create a new String Value (e.g. 1) -> Set its value to the Hardware ID of your Conexant Audio device.
Method 2: Using Group Policy (Windows Pro/Enterprise only)
- Press Win + R → type gpedit.msc → Enter.
- Navigate to: Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → System → Device Installation → Device Installation Restrictions -> Right click on Prevent installation of devices that match any of these device IDs -> Edit.
- Enable the policy.
- Add your Conexant Hardware ID(s) to the list.
- Apply → OK.
After this, enable your Internet and your Windows should stopped reinstalling Conexant 🙂

[Samrit26]

Hello,

To add some context for anyone repeating this: what you’ve effectively done is block the Conexant audio driver package from reinstalling via Windows Update, forcing Windows to use the generic High Definition Audio (HDAudio.sys) class driver instead. This is a common and clean workaround when the OEM-supplied Conexant package causes instability or distorted sound on some HP notebooks and AIO systems.

Here are a few notes I’d add from an HP support and mentoring perspective, just to make sure this approach remains stable long-term:

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🧠 Why this works

• The generic Microsoft High Definition Audio driver is part of Windows itself (WHQL-certified).

• It uses the same basic codec interface (UAA class driver), so the hardware continues to function normally for playback/recording.

• Conexant’s own driver adds audio enhancements, DSP effects, and mic noise suppression, but these can sometimes conflict with Windows Audio Service or third-party conferencing software (especially after feature updates).

By blocking its reinstallation, you’ve effectively frozen the audio stack at a known-good configuration.

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⚙️ HP-specific advice

1. Keep HP Support Assistant installed, but disable automatic driver updates for now — it can also push the Conexant package again.
   → In HP Support Assistant, go to Settings → Automatic Updates → Uncheck “Automatically download and install updates”.

2. Do not remove HP Audio Control (Appx) — it will simply default to Windows’ audio interface; it won’t harm anything.

3. If you later need to re-enable the Conexant package (for example, to restore special mic arrays or noise cancellation):

   • Remove the registry policy or group policy you created.

   • Run HP Image Assistant or HP Support Assistant → “Drivers – Audio” → reinstall the Conexant driver.

   • Reboot and verify audio enhancements are restored.

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🧩 Optional improvement

For developers or content creators, I usually recommend setting the sample rate manually after switching to the generic driver:

1. Open Sound settings → More sound settings → Playback device → Properties → Advanced.

2. Set default format to 24-bit, 48000 Hz (Studio Quality).

3. Disable “Allow applications to take exclusive control” to avoid glitching when switching apps.