DXDiag Sound Driver Information

Q: Where is sound driver info in DXDiag?

Sound driver information in DXDiag is on the Sound tab. Click the Sound tab after opening DXDiag (Windows + R, type dxdiag). The fields Driver Name, Driver Version, Driver Date, and WHQL Logo'd show the audio driver details. If your PC has multiple audio devices, each has its own Sound tab — click each one to see the driver information for that specific device.

Q: How do I update my audio driver from DXDiag information?

Note the device Description field on the DXDiag Sound tab to identify your audio chip (e.g. Realtek High Definition Audio). Then go to your PC or motherboard manufacturer's website and download the latest audio driver for your model. Alternatively, go to the Realtek website (realtec.com.tw) if DXDiag shows a Realtek device. Install the driver, restart, and run DXDiag again to confirm the Driver Version and Date have updated.

Q: Why does DXDiag show multiple Sound tabs?

DXDiag shows a separate Sound tab for each audio device detected by Windows. Common setups have two or three: one for onboard Realtek audio (for speakers and headphones), one for HDMI audio (from the GPU, used for connecting to a TV or HDMI monitor with speakers), and possibly one for a USB audio device or dedicated sound card. Each tab shows independent driver information and problem status for its device.

Q: What does Type WDM mean on the DXDiag Sound tab?

Type WDM on the DXDiag Sound tab means the audio driver uses the Windows Driver Model, which is the standard driver model for Windows 10 and 11 audio devices. All modern audio drivers use WDM. You may also see VxD in older DXDiag reports from Windows XP-era systems. WDM is the expected value for any modern Windows PC.

The DXDiag Sound tab shows your audio device name, driver filename, driver version, driver date, and whether it is WHQL certified. Open DXDiag (Windows + R, type dxdiag), click the Sound tab. Check the Notes field at the bottom — it shows No problems found when the audio driver is working correctly.

Sound Driver Fields in DXDiag

Field	What It Shows
Description	Audio device name (e.g. Realtek High Definition Audio)
Type	Driver model — WDM for all modern audio
Driver Name	Audio driver filename
Driver Version	Installed driver version string
Driver Date	Date the audio driver was released
WHQL Logo'd	Yes if Microsoft-certified for Windows
Notes	No problems found, or error description

Common Audio Issues Found by DXDiag

If the Notes field on a Sound tab shows a problem, common causes include:

Driver not found / hardware missing: Reinstall the audio driver from your PC or motherboard manufacturer's support page.
Unsigned driver warning: Replace with the official signed driver from the manufacturer.
Device disabled: Open Device Manager (Windows + X), find your audio device, right-click and enable it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is sound driver info in DXDiag?+

How do I update my audio driver from DXDiag information?+

Why does DXDiag show multiple Sound tabs?+

What does Type WDM mean on the DXDiag Sound tab?+

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