Realtec HD Audio Driver Update is blocking access to the DTs Audio Control Panel

[HeatherFF17]

Moments ago I opened the HP Support Manager and installed the latest Realtec HD Audio Driver update. Once it finished installing, I discovered, much to my horror, that the DTS Audio Control Panel, which includes the embedded Equalizer, no longer opens in Control Panel. I need to periodically access this audio equalizer as I have a complete set of custom settings I heavily prefer.

How do I work around or resolve this snafu?

[A4Apollo]

Hi! @HeatherFF17, Welcome to HP forums.

I understand after updating the audio drivers the DTS control panel is missing from your PC.

Don't worry I'll try to help you out.

Did you make any software or hardware changes on your laptop?

Are you able to hear audio when you connect headphones to your laptop?

Are the audio drivers listed in device manager?

Please share the product number of your PC to assist you better.

Excellent description and a great diagnosis done. It is greatly appreciated.

Please try the steps recommended below.

Go to Control Panel -> Devices Manager -> Audio, Video and Games Controllers

And find there Realtek audio card. Click on it with the right button of your mouse and choose ' Properties '.
Select ' Driver ' tab and select Roll Back Driver check if the issue persists.

Uninstall the audio drivers from device manager and try installing the audio drivers on your PC and check if it helps.

Update the audio drivers using this link. Click Here

Also, try the steps recommended below.

Go to Windows Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers section.
In the list of audio device drivers, look for Realtek High-Definition Audio. 
Right-click and select Disable. The downward arrow displays on this driver, indicating it is disabled. (NOTE: At this point, you won’t be able to play any music files.)
Right-click and select Update Driver Software.
Select Browse my computer for driver software.
Select Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer.
You should see a window that says Select the device driver you want to install this hardware. NOTE: If you see a window that says something like This is the best driver for this device, exit the window and repeat steps 4, 5, and 6.
In the Model box, highlight High Definition Audio Device (this is the substitute audio device driver) and click Next.
At the Update Driver Warning window, click Yes. You should see a confirmation window with High Definition Audio Device displayed. Click Close.
In the list of audio device drivers in the Sound, video and game controllers section, you’ll notice that the High Definition Audio Device now displays instead of Realtek High-Definition Audio.
At the prompt to reboot, click Yes.

If the issue still persists try the steps recommended below.

Also, you can uninstall the audio drivers from the device manager and install the drivers directly from the realtek website.

Download the audio drivers using this link. Click Here

Let me know if this works!

Have a great day! 🙂

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[HeatherFF17]

Thanks for your detailed information. In digging through Device Manager, I ran into something odd. HP's Support Assistant listed the driver update as for the Realtec audio card. Yet, the date on the Realtec card drivers is in 2015, while the HP speakers show a divers date of April of this year.

Further, this week has been fairly busy with updates, what with the monthly Windows Cumulative Update, an AVG update, an update to the HP Recovery Center for Windows 10 (flagged as critical), as well as the driver update already mentioned.

Since the flurry of updates, my laptop has crashed three times over a span of two days. after the second crash, the DTS Audio Control Panel shortcut in WIndows Control Panel spontaneously began working again. That improvement has me stumped.

Because of the constant crashes, as a precaution I ran Window's System File Checker in Scannow mode. It returned a report of no integrity violations.

[A4Apollo]

@HeatherFF17, thanks for your prompt response and time.

I appreciate your efforts in trying out the steps.

As you mentioned the recent update you see in the device manager is through windows update.

However, the drivers suggested by HP support assistant is from HP.

So there is a difference in the date. Also, I'm glad to know after the windows update your issue has been resolved.

If you have any queries in future related to any HP products, you can always reach out to us.

We will try our best to help you out.

Take care,
Have a great day! 🙂