Realtek doesn't detect any audio devices I plug in

[LUKE99G]

This issue has been there for a few months, earlier when i plugged in a input/output device there would be a pop-up on the lower right section asking me what device it is.. whether a line-in or external speakers, etc. 

Now there are no pop-ups. I am a musician/producer, so i need to connect my Electronic keyboard to record audio (MIDI works absolutely fine), it sets the audio input as a output device, and i can't find an option to change the same even manually. 

[Garp_senchau]

@LUKE99G Welcome to HP Support Community,

Thank you for posting your query; I’m here to help by guiding you through steps to resolve this issue

Check Sound Settings

Right-click the speaker icon on the taskbar > Open Sound settings.

Ensure the correct output (speakers, headphones) and input (keyboard, mic) are selected.

Manually Set Devices

Right-click the speaker icon > Sounds.

In the Playback tab, set the output device as default.

In the Recording tab, set the input device as default.

Update Audio Drivers

Open Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers > Right-click your audio device > Update driver.

Reinstall Audio Drivers

In Device Manager, right-click your audio device > Uninstall device.

Restart your laptop to let Windows reinstall the drivers.

Disable Exclusive Mode

Right-click the speaker icon > Sounds > Playback > Right-click the active device > Properties > Advanced tab.

Uncheck Allow applications to take exclusive control.

Run Troubleshooter

Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.

Run Playing Audio and Recording Audio troubleshooters.

Check Windows Updates

Go to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.

Reset Audio Settings

Go to Control Panel > Sound > Right-click and Disable/Enable devices.

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to reply here if you have any questions or if you need further clarification on any of the steps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!

Regards,

[LUKE99G]

Hello Captain Garp,

Well the above don't seem to help me. The thing is my in-line Aux from the Keyboard to laptop is showing up as a headphone device, this didn't happen earlier. Back then when i plugged in any device i would see a pop-up and manually select what it was for, and i would select how i needed it. I think there was an option Input device>Line-in and that would work perfectly.

Can't I get that back?

[Garp_senchau]

Hey @LUKE99G,

Thank you for your response

Here are the steps you can try:

Open Realtek Audio Console (or HD Audio Manager)

Open Start, type Realtek Audio Console, and launch the app. If not installed, you can get it from the Microsoft Store.

Enable Jack Detection & Auto‑Popup Dialog

In the Realtek app, go to Device advanced settings.

Enable “Enable jack detection when device is plugged in.”

Also, ensure “Enable auto popup dialog when device has been plugged in” is checked—this is what brought up the selection prompt earlier.

Set Line‑In as Default Input Device

Go to Control Panel → Sound → Recording tab:

Find your keyboard’s input (line‑in), right‑click it, and choose “Set as Default Device.”

Adjust Windows Notifications (Optional Backup)

If pop‑ups still don’t appear:

Go to Settings → System → Notifications & actions.

Scroll to Realtek Audio Console (or Manager) and ensure notifications are enabled. If you want to suppress other alerts but not this, keep this toggle on.

Regards,

[LUKE99G]

So as you said i need Realtek Audio Console, but it's not on my device nor can I find it on Microsoft store. 

I had tried to install realtek audio console from the link on Hp community to Realtek website a month back, but it didn't show up in search.. even though the installation showed successful 

[zoey7886]

@LUKE99G, I understand how frustrating it must feel when you plug in your keyboard and instead of that familiar little pop-up asking “what did you just connect?”, it stays silent and mislabels it as headphones. That prompt is part of the Realtek Audio Console, and if you don’t see it in the Microsoft Store, it usually means the driver package for your device didn’t include it.

Here’s what you can try:

HP Support Website: Go to HP Drivers & Downloads, enter your laptop model, and download the latest “Realtek High Definition Audio Driver.” That version typically bundles the Realtek Audio Console or enables it in the Store.

Reboot after Install: Once installed, restart your system. You should then be able to search “Realtek Audio Console” in Start and find it.

If it still doesn’t appear, the driver may be incomplete. In that case, uninstall your current Realtek driver from Device Manager → Sound, video and game controllers, restart, and reinstall the HP-provided one.

This should bring back that little pop-up you’re missing, so you can once again tell your system, “hey, this is line-in, not headphones.” 🎹🎶

Hope this helps! 

Take care, and have an amazing day!  

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, Please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!  

Regards, 

[LUKE99G]

Hey so I tried both option you mentioned -

1. Downloading "Realtek high definition audio driver" from HP support section.

2. Uninstalled Realtek driver in Device manager > Restart device(it automatically installed back)

But Realtek Audio Console still isn't showing anywhere.. if I search Realtek it show me "Realtek audio control" but it takes me to Microsoft store & cannot be installed

[zoey7886]

@LUKE99G, thanks for giving those steps a shot — I can imagine how discouraging it feels when you’re expecting that little Realtek window to pop up and instead it’s just… nothing.

Since the Store keeps looping you, that usually means the driver package on your system isn’t pulling in the companion app. What tends to work is:

Clean install the HP driver: Go back to Device Manager → Sound, video and game controllers, right-click Realtek, and this time check the box that says “Delete the driver software for this device” before uninstalling. Restart — it’ll come up with a generic audio driver.

Install HP’s official driver package again: From your product’s support page, grab the latest Realtek High Definition Audio Driver and install. After reboot, you should be able to search Realtek Audio Console in Start (not the Store) and open it.

Hope this helps! 

Take care, and have an amazing day!  

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, Please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!  

Regards,