Users who have motherboards with onboard audio (often with VIA, Realtek, or C-Mediachipsets) may have issues with their audio or AC'97 errors in Device Manager. Often this is caused because the operating system was reinstalled and the motherboard chipset drivers were not installed. To resolve this issue, review the troubleshooting sections below.
If you have not recently reinstalled Microsoft Windows, your audio drivers are corrupt. Open Device Manager and remove all devices under Sound, video and game controllers and any Other devices. Once removed, reboot the computer and let Microsoft Windows re-detect the audio drivers.
Reinstalling the motherboard chipset drivers resolve this issue. If your computer came with a motherboard CD, install the chipset drivers from the CD and the sound drivers if also available.
A media driver your computer needs is missing. This could be a DVD, USB, or Hard disk driver. If you have a CD, DVD, or USB flash drive with the driver on it, please insert it now.
If you do not have a motherboard CD, obtain the motherboard chipset drivers from the motherboard manufacturer.
TipIf your computer has no disc drive, you'll need to download the drivers from the manufacturers website.
If, after installing the motherboard chipset drivers, you continue to have issues, install the sound drivers. We suggest downloading the sound drivers from the computer manufacturer or motherboard manufacturer website.
For a list of motherboard manufacturers and their drivers, see our motherboard chipset drivers index.