Realtek HD Audio Controller Not Working

Hi,
So I've been currently trying to fix this problem for over 5 hours straight. Earlier today I got two sudden PC crashes where my entire PC just went to black (completely turned off without warning), and after a few seconds turned back on again, then I took off the side panel of the case and tried to push all cables in to make sure they are in properly, that's when I got a blue screen with a sad face. The blue screen finished and my computer booted up as normal, but my audio came through my monitor speakers rather than my headset, and when I tried to locate my headset in Playback Devices or Recording devices, only my monitor speakers showed. It turned out that one of the High Definition Audio Controller (I have two of them for some reason) wasn't working in Device Manager (showed a yellow warning triangle sign) and when I went into that Driver's properties it said :

This device cannot start. (Code 10)

{Operation Failed}
The requested operation was unsuccessful.

Furthermore, in the "Driver Details" section it showed three files, drmk.sys, hdaudbus.sys and portcls.sys (which I'm guessing are causing this whole issue) I tried updating all my drivers on my PC, doing Windows Update. I went through all links on Google with all different kinds of searches and after trying every method possible (uninstalling the device/driver and reinstalling, going into safe mode and doing this, fixing registries, uninstalling and reinstalling Realtek and Realtek drivers, same thing with motherboard audio drivers, doing an sfc /scannow in a Command Prompt, doing a DISM scan, doing a RAM scan, reinstalling all motherboard drivers from my original disk) I wasn't successful with any of them. I even tried restoring my Windows to a point yesterday where this wasn't an issue, and I still couldn't open Realtek HD Manager program, I would click it and it would just do nothing. I really don't want to have to reinstall windows completely as I have a lot of files and programs which would take me days to reinstall and regain. I've attached some screenshots for more insight. These are my specifications:

Windows 10 Pro 64 Bit
CPU: i5-7600k
RAM: 8GB DDR4 Corsair Vengeance 3200MHz
GPU: EVGA NVIDIA GTX 1060 6GB
MOBO: ASUS PRIME Z270-P
Storage: 500GB Samsung 850 Evo SSD
1TB WD Hard Drive

I would be so so so grateful if anyone could help me out with this issue. Thank you.

phillpower2 said:

Welcome to PCHF Martin,


Often a sign of overheating and especially if you get no BSOD and subsequent Stop Code and crash dmp.


Can I just check, you never reached inside the case while the computer was powered up and without grounding yourself first did you.


Unless an expert you should stay well away from the registry as it is far too easy to click on the wrong thing and hose the whole OS.

The Realtek drivers are your MBs audio drivers, can you grab a screenshot of Device Manager with the Audio inputs and outputs tab expanded.

Click to expand...

Hmm, that's strange because I checked the temps afterwards and they were all fine. Also I was standing on wood and touched the metal side panel before I touched any cables, I didn't actually touch any hardware parts, just the cables. For the registry cleaning I used CCleaner which I've always used. The only thing in my Audio inputs and outputs tab is my monitor which has speakers. Here's that screenshot you asked for:

phillpower2 said:

Too late checking temps afterwards and keep in mind that you cannot check the temps on the inside of the PSU which can also overheat.

What is the brand and model name or number of the PSU.


Before reaching inside of a computer it should be completely isolated from all sources of electricity, printers, screens, LAN lines, the chassis power button pressed for around 20 seconds or so and then ground yourself, the slightest static will damage any hardware.


Go on any good forum and they will tell you same thing, use CCleaner for cleaning out temp and orphaned files but steer well clear of the registry cleaner, CCleaner itself is not bullet proof either, it was hacked in September which caused an awful lot of folk endless problems.


Which again shows you are using Nvidea as opposed to Realtek audio drivers, my Device Manager on the Sony Vaio notebook I use on the forums alongside yours in the attachment below.

Click to expand...

To answer your question, I use Realtek as I've always had it and it came as a driver on the ASUS website of my model motherboard. I uninstalled the Realtek driver from the Sounds tab in Device Manager and couldn't get it back since, supposedly due to the drmk.sys, hdaudbus.sys and portcls.sys files not starting for whatever reason (as it stated this in the Event viewer of the driver that isn't working).

phillpower2 said:

In your OP you said that you had reinstalled the Realtek drivers and I was trying to emphasise the fact to you that you do not have any Realtek drivers at all installed, crossed wires by the looks of it.

Do you happen to have run Malwarebytes recently.

Click to expand...

Ah I see, no problem. I did have Realtek but due to this issue I tried uninstalling the driver and reinstalling but as you know, with not much success. Yeah I ran malwarebytes and 2 adware were found and deleted and 1 PUP.

phillpower2 said:

As a precaution and a double check can you just check the quarantine tab in Malwarebytes, couple of threads for you to check here - here and here for as to why I am suggesting the checks.

Click to expand...

I've uninstalled Malwarebytes now but the problem with those driver files was there before I got Malwarebytes and ran those scans, and I'm pretty sure it didn't see those files as anything.

Okay so I've just went on Adobe After Effects CS6 again (which is what I was using right before my PC crashed earlier today) and it crashed again, but to my surprise when my computer booted back up again, my Realtek was back and my audio was working again. I don't know what's up with this but I think it might be my power supply overheating. The model is Corsair VS 450. It's the only part I haven't changed since I bought this PC pre-built.

phillpower2 said:

Now that the Realtek drivers are back in use and you have audio create a new system restore point asap.


Never suggested that you uninstall MBAM only check the quarantine but you have Windows Defender protecting your computer + your audio back so would just see how things go for now.


VS = Value Series, I use and recommend Corsair but not the VS or CX range when they need to support an add on video card.

Fwiw, I`m not suspecting that the Realtek and shutdowns are in any way related.

Click to expand...

The crashes I experienced earlier and just now all happened while I was using Adobe After Effects CS6, hinting me at the fact that that is what is causing it, because it didn't happen at all earlier when I stopped using it, and only just happened when I started using it again. I don't understand how my audio came back after that crash but it might be a corrupt version of After Effects or something. Also I uninstalled Malwarebytes as soon as I finished the scan a while ago, not "just" now. I use 360 Total Security for protection from viruses and the like.

phillpower2 said:

Going offline now but if you have any crash dmps upload them and I will check them in the morning, are crash dmps enabled on your computer.


How long have you been using this.

Click to expand...

I've been using 360 Total Security for about 2 years now and it's been great. And no i don't think I have crash dumps enabled on my computer but I'll enable it now.