NVIDIA HD Audio driver explained
The NVIDIA HD Audio driver lets a GeForce graphics card send sound to a monitor or TV over HDMI or DisplayPort. Get it from NVIDIA's own driver download page, not from a separate audio site. If sound is missing, reinstall the graphics driver from nvidia.com, then pick the display in Windows Sound settings.
Checked October 30, 2026 against the manufacturer's own pages.
Driver downloads
| Driver | Version | Released | Size | Windows | Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA graphics driver (includes display audio support) | See maker page | See maker page | See maker page | Windows 10 and 11 | Download from nvidia.com |
Values copied from the manufacturer's page on October 30, 2026. The file always downloads from the manufacturer, never from this site.
Hardware IDs on this page
| Hardware ID | Device name |
|---|---|
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0FBB | GM204 High Definition Audio Controller |
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_10F0 | GP104 High Definition Audio Controller |
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_10F7 | TU102 High Definition Audio Controller |
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_10F8 | TU104 HD Audio Controller |
Match the first line of Hardware Ids in Device Manager (Properties, Details) against this list. Names come from the public PCI ID Repository.
The short version
What to install and where it comes from. Every link goes to the manufacturer or Microsoft, never to a copy.
Official files only, nothing bundled
Step by step
Confirm the device exists
Right-click Start, open Device Manager and expand Sound, video and game controllers. Look for NVIDIA High Definition Audio. If it is missing, the graphics driver may not be installed.
Check which driver it uses
Open the device's Properties and the Driver tab. The provider shows NVIDIA when the maker's driver is in use, or Microsoft when Windows is using its built-in High Definition Audio driver.
Reinstall from NVIDIA
Open nvidia.com/drivers, choose your GeForce card and Windows version, download the driver and run it. The NVIDIA app can do the same job and keeps the driver current.
Pick the display as the output
Go to Settings, System, Sound and choose your monitor or TV as the output device. A display only appears when it is connected and switched on.
Test with another cable or port
If the display is listed but silent, try a different HDMI or DisplayPort cable or port on the card, and check the volume on the monitor itself.
What the NVIDIA HD Audio device is
A GeForce card has its own small audio controller. It does not drive your desk speakers. Its job is to put sound into the HDMI or DisplayPort signal so a monitor, TV or receiver can play it. Windows lists that controller as NVIDIA High Definition Audio in Device Manager. In the public PCI ID Repository the audio function sits under NVIDIA’s vendor code 10DE, next to the graphics function of the same card.
Because the audio controller is part of the card, its driver is part of NVIDIA’s graphics driver. We found no separate HD Audio download on NVIDIA’s driver page today. If a website offers one, do not use it.
Where the driver comes from
Install the GeForce driver from nvidia.com or through the NVIDIA app. On a laptop with NVIDIA graphics, the laptop maker may publish its own version first, so check that page too. Microsoft documents that Windows ships its own class driver for High Definition Audio, and a vendor driver is only needed for extra features. That is why you may see sound over HDMI even before you install anything from NVIDIA.
Known problem: sound vanishes after a driver change
A common report is that the TV or monitor disappears from the sound list after a graphics update. The usual cause is that the audio component was skipped or did not finish installing. Run the NVIDIA installer again and choose a custom install if offered, so the audio component is included. Then restart and pick the display in Sound settings. If it still fails, use Roll Back Driver on the NVIDIA High Definition Audio device, or install the previous graphics driver from nvidia.com.
Questions
Do I need the NVIDIA HD Audio driver at all?
Only if you want sound from a monitor or TV connected to the graphics card. If you use speakers on the motherboard jack or a USB headset, your sound does not depend on it.
Is there a separate NVIDIA HD Audio download?
NVIDIA's driver page lists graphics drivers and some extras, but no standalone HD Audio package. The audio part arrives with the graphics driver.
Why does my TV not show up as a sound device?
Windows only lists a display output when the display is connected and on. Switch the TV on, set the right HDMI input, then look again in Sound settings.
Can I remove it?
Yes, from Device Manager or the installer's custom options. Windows then falls back to its own High Definition Audio driver, though HDMI sound may stop working.