Not being able to hear sound is one of the last things Windows users want to experience while using their PC. Unfortunately, the frequency of audio issues on Windows is not exactly low by all accounts. Your computer turns silent out of the blue and it keeps saying “Device HDAUDIO requires further installation”? In that case, you have come to the right place.
Actions To Take
Take A Look At Timestamp
First and foremost, it’s a good idea to check out the timestamp again. In case you don’t know, Windows places the most recent event at the bottom and the oldest event on the top.
- Step 1: Press Windows + R, type “devmgmt.msc” in Run and hit Enter to open Device Manager. Click Yes to UAC prompts.
- Step 2: In Device Manager, right-click your audio device and select Properties.
- Step 3: Go Events tab, inspect the timestamp of events and see if “Device HDAUDIO requires further installation” is the most recent event. If the most recent event is “device installed” instead, there is no need to worry and you can continue using your device.
Update Windows
You recently upgraded the operating system of your PC to Windows 10? Then there is a chance that the message about device requiring further installation you keep seeing is the result of the incomplete download of device drivers. In that case, all you have to do is to drop by Windows Update to complete the updates.
- Step 1: Launch Run (Windows + R), type ‘windowsupdate’ and hit Enter.
- Step 2: In Windows Update, hit Check for updates to start searching for available updates.
- Step 3: Once the scan concludes, follow the on-screen instructions to install pending Windows updates.
Note! If your computer tells you to restart before installing Windows updates, do so but remember to Windows Update afterward to finish installing the updates. Assuming that things proceed smoothly, the “Device HDAUDIO requires further installation” message is going to vanish.
Uninstall And Reinstall Sound Drivers
It’s well-known that if users uninstall generic sound drivers and let Windows reinstall them, many audio issues would go away. To do so, you have to go through the steps down below:
- Step 1: Go to Search bar, type Device Manager and hit Enter.
- Step 2:Expand Audio Inputs and Outputs, right-click each of the drivers and choose Uninstall.
- Step 3: Expand Sound, video and game controllers, right-click each of the drivers and select Uninstall.
- Step 4: Restart your PC t
The moment the screen comes back on, Windows is going to reinstall all the drivers on its own. Thus, you only need to determine whether the audio issue persists.
Run Windows Troubleshooter
In case you don’t know, Windows packs a wide range of troubleshooters that could address multiple issues including sound one. If you have a hard time dismissing the “Device HDAUDIO requires further installation” message, give the Playing Audio troubleshooter a go.
- Step 1: Press Windows + R to open Run, type control and hit Enter.
- Step 2: In Control Panel, select Troubleshooting then choose Hardware and Sound
- Step 3: Hit Playing Audio and follow the instructions to fix the audio issue.
- Step 4: Restart your PC.
What Is Going On
Quite a few factors could make your PC say “Device HDAUDIO requires further installation”. From Windows updates to sound drivers, many things could mess up the audio of your computer.
What Must Be Done To Manually Update Windows?
Usually, on Windows computers, updates would be downloaded and installed automatically. However, the update process is not free of fault, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for updates.
- Step 1: Open Start menu
- Step 2: Hit the gear icon to open Settings
- Step 3: Select Windows Update then choose Check for updates.
Afterward, Windows should begin searching for available updates and notify you of the result.
How Do I Turn Off Audio Enhancements?
Audio enhancements prove handy from time to time but they may lead to complications on occasions. If you experience audio issues, it’s wise to disable audio enhancements.
- Step 1: Go to Search bar, type control and hit Enter to open Control Panel.
- Step 2: Hit Sound, right-click your default device on Playback tab and choose Properties.
- Step 3: Check Disable all enhancements checkbox in Enhancements tab, select OK and proceed to play some sound.
- Step 4: If you hear nothing, return to Playback tab and set another device as default. Next, go to Properties of that device, Check Disable all enhancements checkbox in Enhancements tab, select OK and see how things turn out.
- Step 5: Repeat the procedures until the audio issue disappears.
Michael Kan has been with Ginno Security Lab since October 2017, covering a wide range of topics, including consumer electronics, cybersecurity, social media, networking, and gaming. Prior to working at Ginno Security Lab he was a foreign correspondent in Beijing for over five years, covering the tech scene in Asia.
Areas of Expertise: Michael Kan has been working as a journalist for about 15 years— He start as a schools and cities reporter in Kansas City. Amazingly he is still here. Lately, he has been following SpaceX’s Starlink network, emerging online cyber threats, and the PC graphics card market (which led him to camp out in front of a Best Buy to get an RTX 3000). He is always eager to learn more, so please jump in the comments with feedback and send he tips.
The Best Tech he has Had:
- First video game console: a Nintendo Famicom
- Sega Saturn despite PlayStation’s popularity.
- The iPod Video received as a gift in college
- Xbox 360 FTW
- The Galaxy Nexus was the first smartphone he was proud to own.
- The PC desktop he built in 2013, which still works to this day.
