It is possible to reinstall a sound card device driver in order to restore sound functionality on your computer system. The process is relatively simple, providing that you know the make and model of your sound card and have access to internet for downloading any necessary drivers.
1. Firstly, locate the sound card from the list of installed hardware in Device Manager. To do this press the Windows key + X on your keyboard and select ‘Device Manager’ from the popup menu.
2. Locate your sound card device under the ‘Sound, video and game controllers’ group. If you are unsure which one it is, look out for words such as ‘audio’ or ‘sound’ in the device name. Once you have found the right device double click on it to open its Device Properties.
3. Next, select the ‘Driver’ tab from the top of the window. Here you will be presented with a number of options relating to how your sound card device is configured and how its driver works.
4. Select the ‘Uninstall’ button from the bottom of the window. This will delete the device driver from your sound card. When you confirm this by selecting ‘OK’, a pop-up window will appear, asking you to confirm the process.
5. You will now be ready to reinstall the driver, either manually or by using an automated update tool.
If you would like to manually reinstall your sound card’s device driver, go to the manufacturer’s website, locate your sound card and download the most up to date driver, which should be compatible with your device. Ensure that all other applications are closed before you start the installation process. Before you begin, check whether the new downloaded driver is digitally signed. To do this right-click on the downloaded driver and select ‘Properties’. In the properties window, navigate to the ‘Digital Signatures’ tab and check that the digital signature is from the manufacturer (in our case Creative Technology Ltd.)
Once you have done this, start the installation process. Some drivers may require you to restart your computer for the installation to take effect.
If you would prefer to use an automated update tool, there are a number of third-party applications available on the internet for free. Popular examples include Driver Genius and SlimDrivers. Using these tools, you can scan your computer for the sound card device driver, and the software will automatically provide you with the latest version from the manufacturer’s website.
Note: Before you install any third-party software, you should always check the website to make sure it is reputable and virus-free.
Once you have either downloaded and installed the latest driver version manually or used an automated update tool, you should be able to hear sound again on your computer system.
If this doesn’t work, or if you encounter any problems during the installation process, you may need to contact the manufacturer of your sound card device directly for help.