Realtek USB audio driver guide
Most Realtek USB audio devices, such as headsets, sound dongles and docks, work with the audio driver Windows already has. If yours does not, get the driver from the device maker's support page first. Realtek's own downloads page at realtek.com is the second place to look.
Checked October 30, 2026 against the manufacturer's own pages.
Driver downloads
| Driver | Version | Released | Size | Windows | Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Realtek USB audio driver, see maker page for the package for your device | See maker page | See maker page | See maker page | Windows 10 and 11 | Download from realtek.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 |
|---|---|
USB\VID_0BDA | Realtek Semiconductor Corp. |
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
Identify the device
Plug it in, open Device Manager and expand Sound, video and game controllers. Note the name, and check Properties, Details, Hardware Ids for a line starting USB\VID_0BDA.
Test with the Windows driver
If the device is listed as USB Audio Device, Windows is using its own class driver. Open Settings, System, Sound and set it as the output or input.
Try another port
Plug it directly into the PC, not into a hub. Try a USB 2.0 or 3.0 port that is on the back of a desktop.
Get the maker's driver
Search the device maker's support page by model. Headset and dock makers often publish a package that includes a control app and settings.
Use Realtek's page as a last stop
Open realtek.com Downloads, find the USB audio entry, and read what chips it lists. If your hardware ID is not covered, do not install it.
What a Realtek USB audio chip is
Realtek makes the chips behind much of the sound on PCs. Most people meet them on a motherboard. A second kind sits inside accessories: a USB headset, a small sound adapter, a docking station or a monitor with a headphone port. In these the chip speaks USB to the computer, and the device then shows up as its own sound card. The public USB ID list shows Realtek’s vendor code as 0BDA.
We did not find a version, date or size we could confirm today for a Realtek USB audio package. We list the Realtek page as the place to check, and we leave the numbers out.
Why Windows often needs nothing
Standard USB audio devices follow a common class design. Windows ships a driver for that class, so a plain headset normally works as soon as you plug it in. A maker driver adds things like button handling, equaliser presets or firmware tools. That is why a device can play sound with the Windows driver yet lack its control app.
What to do when the device fails
First rule out the cable, the port and the Sound settings. Then look at Device Manager. A warning on the device, or an entry under Other devices, points to a driver issue. Install the package from the device maker, since they know which of their products use which chip. Realtek’s page is next. Match the hardware ID to the package before you run it.
Avoid driver packs and sites that claim to scan and fix everything. They are not the maker, and the wrong audio driver can leave the device silent. If a bad install happens, use Roll Back Driver, or remove the device in Device Manager and plug it back in.
Questions
Is this the same as the Realtek HD Audio driver?
No. Realtek HD Audio runs the sound chip on a motherboard or laptop. A Realtek USB audio chip lives inside an outside device and talks to the PC over USB.
My USB headset shows no microphone.
Check Settings, Privacy and security, Microphone, and make sure apps may use it. Then confirm the device is set as the input in Sound settings.
Why does one dongle have 0BDA in its ID but a different brand name?
Many brands buy Realtek chips and sell them under their own names. The vendor ID shows who made the chip, not who sold the product.
Can I use a driver from another headset maker?
Not safely. Use a driver written for your hardware ID, from the device maker or Realtek.