Are you unable to find the Sound, Video and Game Controllers category in Device Manager on your Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC?
Normally, Windows displays this category in Device Manager, where you can view and manage installed audio devices, sound cards, and their associated drivers. However, sometimes the category disappears entirely. This can happen because of outdated or corrupted audio drivers, disabled devices, incorrect Windows settings, hardware detection problems, or recent system updates.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through practical solutions to fix the Sound, Video and Game Controllers not showing in Windows 11/10 issue.
Fix ‘Sound, Video and Game Controllers Not Showing’ in Windows 11/10
To fix the Sound, Video and Game Controllers category not showing in Windows 11/10, follow these steps:
- Open Device Manager and select View > Show hidden devices.
- Select Action > Scan for hardware changes to detect missing audio devices.
- Run the Windows audio troubleshooter to identify common sound problems.
- Update or reinstall your audio drivers through Device Manager.
- Download the latest compatible audio drivers from your computer manufacturer’s website.
- Check Windows Audio services and make sure they are running.
- Install pending Windows updates and restart your computer.
- Check BIOS or UEFI settings to ensure onboard audio is enabled.
1: Show Hidden Devices in Device Manager
Sometimes, Windows detects an audio device but does not display it normally in Device Manager. This can happen when a device is disconnected, disabled, or has experienced a temporary detection problem.
The first thing you should do is check whether the missing category or audio hardware appears among hidden devices.
Press Windows + X on your keyboard and select Device Manager from the Quick Link menu. Once Device Manager opens, select the View option from the top menu and click Show hidden devices.
Now, expand the available categories and look for Sound, Video and Game Controllers. If the category appears, expand it to check whether your audio hardware is listed.
Follow this navigation path: Windows + X > Device Manager > View > Show hidden devices.
If you find a faded audio device, right-click it and check whether an appropriate enable option is available. If it is disabled, select Enable device.
However, remember that a faded device can also represent previously connected hardware that is no longer present. Therefore, don’t assume every hidden entry represents an active audio device.
2: Scan for Hardware Changes
If your sound category is still missing, Windows may not have detected your audio hardware correctly. Running a hardware scan can help Windows identify connected devices and restore their entries in Device Manager.
Open Device Manager by searching for it in the Windows Start menu. Once the window appears, select your computer’s name at the top of the device list.
Next, click Action in the top menu and select Scan for hardware changes. Windows will scan your computer for connected hardware and attempt to detect devices that are not currently listed.
Use this path: Start > Device Manager > Your Computer Name > Action > Scan for hardware changes.
Wait for the scan to finish and check whether the Sound, Video and Game Controllers category appears. If Windows detects your audio hardware, the category should become visible.
If nothing changes, restart your computer and check Device Manager again. A temporary detection issue may sometimes be resolved after a fresh startup.
3: Run the Windows Audio Troubleshooter
Windows includes troubleshooting options that can help identify common audio problems. If your sound devices are missing or not working correctly, running the audio troubleshooter is another useful step.
On Windows 11, press Windows + I to open Settings. Navigate to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. Find the Audio or Playing Audio troubleshooter, depending on the available options, and select Run.
On Windows 10, open Settings and navigate to Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters. Select Playing Audio and click Run the troubleshooter.
The navigation paths are:
Windows 11: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters.
Follow the instructions displayed on your screen. Windows may check audio services, sound settings, and device configuration before recommending a fix.
Keep in mind that the troubleshooter may not restore a missing hardware category if the underlying problem is a missing driver or disabled audio controller. If that happens, continue with the next method.
4: Update Your Audio Drivers
An outdated, incompatible, or corrupted audio driver can prevent Windows from recognizing your sound hardware correctly. Updating the driver may restore the missing category and resolve related audio problems.
First, open Device Manager and check the available categories for entries such as Other devices, Unknown devices, or devices with a yellow warning symbol. Your missing audio hardware may appear there if Windows cannot identify its driver.
Right-click the suspected audio device and select Update driver. Choose Search automatically for drivers and allow Windows to look for compatible driver software.
Follow this path: Device Manager > Other devices or Unknown devices > Right-click the device > Update driver.
If Windows finds a compatible driver, follow the on-screen instructions to install it. Restart your PC afterward and check whether the Sound, Video and Game Controllers category has returned.
If Windows reports that the best drivers are already installed, don’t assume that the manufacturer’s latest driver is installed. Windows may not always find the newest version through automatic searches.
5: Reinstall the Audio Driver
If updating the driver doesn’t resolve the issue, reinstalling it may help. This is particularly useful when the existing driver installation is corrupted or Windows is having trouble loading it.
Before uninstalling anything, identify your computer model and the correct audio driver. Visit your PC manufacturer’s support website and download the appropriate driver for your Windows version. Common audio hardware manufacturers include Realtek, Intel, and AMD, but the correct package depends on your computer.
If an audio device is visible in Device Manager, right-click it and select Uninstall device. If you see an option to remove the driver software, use it only when you have the correct replacement driver available.
Restart your computer and install the downloaded driver using the manufacturer’s instructions.
The general process is Device Manager > Audio device > Uninstall device > Restart PC > Install compatible audio driver.
If the category is completely missing and no audio device is listed, you may need to install the manufacturer’s audio or chipset driver package directly. Avoid downloading random drivers from unfamiliar websites because they may be incompatible or unsafe.
6: Check Windows Audio Services
Windows relies on background services to manage audio playback and related functions. If an essential audio service is stopped or not configured correctly, you may experience sound problems.
Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box. Type services.msc and press Enter. The Services window will appear with a list of Windows services.
Find Windows Audio and double-click it. Check its Service status. If it is stopped, select Start. Also, set the Startup type to Automatic if it is not already configured that way.
Next, locate Windows Audio Endpoint Builder and check that it is running as well.
Follow this path: Windows + R > services.msc > Windows Audio > Start.
Select Apply and OK if you make any changes. Restart your computer and check whether the missing audio category appears in Device Manager.
7: Install Pending Windows Updates
Sometimes, audio detection problems occur because Windows is missing important driver updates, compatibility fixes, or system components.
To check for updates in Windows 11, open Settings using Windows + I and select Windows Update. Click Check for updates and allow Windows to search for available updates.
On Windows 10, navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.
You can also check the Advanced options > Optional updates section in Windows 11 for available driver updates. On Windows 10, look for optional driver updates if they are offered through Windows Update.
Follow the appropriate path: Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
Install relevant updates and restart your computer if required. After restarting, open Device Manager and check whether Windows has detected your audio hardware.
For the best results, prioritize audio and chipset drivers specifically intended for your PC model rather than installing unrelated optional drivers.
8: Check Onboard Audio Settings in BIOS or UEFI
If none of the previous methods work, your computer’s onboard audio controller may be disabled in BIOS or UEFI settings. When this happens, Windows might not detect the audio hardware at all.
Restart your computer and enter BIOS or UEFI setup. The required key depends on your manufacturer. Common options include F2, Delete, F10, and Esc.
Once inside, look for an option related to Onboard Audio, HD Audio Controller, or Integrated Audio. The exact name and location vary between motherboard manufacturers.
If the setting is disabled, change it to Enabled. Save your changes and exit BIOS or UEFI.
The general navigation is Restart PC > Enter BIOS/UEFI > Advanced or Integrated Peripherals > Onboard Audio > Enabled.
Be careful not to change unrelated BIOS settings. If you’re unsure about an option, consult your computer or motherboard manufacturer’s documentation.
After restarting Windows, open Device Manager and check whether the missing category has returned.
FAQs
1. Why is Sound, Video and Game Controllers missing from Device Manager?
This category may disappear because of missing or corrupted audio drivers, disabled hardware, outdated chipset drivers, or Windows hardware detection problems. A BIOS setting that disables onboard audio can also cause this issue.
2. How do I restore Sound, Video, and Game Controllers in Windows 11?
Open Device Manager, select View > Show hidden devices, and then choose Action > Scan for hardware changes. If the category remains missing, install the correct audio driver from your computer manufacturer’s support website.
3. Can I reinstall Sound, Video and Game Controllers?
You can reinstall the associated audio device drivers if the hardware is detected. Uninstall the affected device in Device Manager, restart your computer, and install the correct driver. If the entire category is missing, first check hardware detection and driver availability.
4. How do I find missing audio drivers in Windows 10?
Open Device Manager and check the Other devices and Unknown devices categories. You can also check Windows Update for optional driver updates or download the appropriate audio driver from your PC manufacturer’s support website.
5. Does updating Windows fix missing sound controllers?
It can. Windows updates sometimes include audio driver compatibility fixes and hardware support updates. However, if the problem is caused by disabled hardware or an incompatible driver, additional troubleshooting may be necessary.
6. What if my audio device is not detected even after reinstalling drivers?
Check your computer’s BIOS or UEFI settings to confirm that onboard audio is enabled. If the controller is enabled but Windows still cannot detect it, investigate chipset drivers, motherboard connections, and possible hardware failure.
Final Words
The Sound, Video, and Game Controllers not showing in Windows 11/10 issue can occur for several reasons, including corrupted drivers, disabled devices, incorrect system settings, or hardware detection problems.
Start with simple solutions such as showing hidden devices and scanning for hardware changes. If those methods don’t work, update or reinstall your audio drivers, check Windows Audio services, and install pending Windows updates.
If the category remains missing, check your BIOS or UEFI settings to make sure onboard audio is enabled.