Intel High Definition DSP Driver: How to Fix the Device Manager Error on Windows 11/10

Applies to: Windows 11 and Windows 10 laptops and mini PCs with Intel processors, when Device Manager shows Intel High Definition DSP with a yellow warning, under Other devices or with an error code such as 10, 28 or 31.

What Intel High Definition DSP is

Many Intel laptops from the last several years process sound with a small built-in DSP (digital signal processor) instead of sending everything straight to the audio chip. Intel calls this Intel Smart Sound Technology. It handles things like the built-in microphones, voice wake-up and audio effects, and the speakers and headphone jack often depend on it too.

When Windows has no matching driver for the DSP, Device Manager typically lists it under the generic name Intel High Definition DSP, usually with a yellow triangle. With the right driver installed, it normally appears under a name like Intel(R) Smart Sound Technology (Intel(R) SST) Audio Controller or as related Intel Smart Sound Technology entries instead.

This usually happens after a clean install of Windows, a major Windows upgrade, or a driver update that didn’t match your laptop. The fix is almost always to install the correct driver set for your exact model.

Check the error and hardware ID

1. Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
2. Expand Other devices, System devices and Sound, video and game controllers, and double-click the Intel High Definition DSP or Intel Smart Sound Technology entry.
3. On the General tab, note the error code in the Device status box.
4. On the Details tab, choose Hardware Ids from the Property list. The top value (for example something starting with INTELAUDIO\DSP_CTLR_DEV_) identifies the device. Right-click it to copy it.

Device Manager code	What it means here
Code 28	No driver is installed for the device. Install the driver package (Fix 1 or 2).
Code 10	The device can’t start, often because of a mismatched or partly installed driver. Reinstall it (Fix 3) or install the PC maker’s version (Fix 1).
Code 31	Windows can’t load the driver. Usually the wrong driver version or install order; use the PC maker’s package (Fix 1).

Fix 1: Install the audio drivers from your PC maker

Intel’s support guidance for Smart Sound Technology errors on laptops is to contact the laptop maker and use the drivers it provides, because the DSP firmware and settings are tuned for each model. This is the fix that works most often.

1. Find your exact model number on the sticker under the laptop, or run msinfo32 and check System Model.
2. Open the support or drivers page on your laptop maker’s website (HP, Dell, Lenovo, Asus, Acer and so on) and enter the model.
3. Select your Windows version and download the Audio drivers. Many makers list Intel Smart Sound Technology (sometimes called Intel SST OED) separately from the Realtek (or other) audio driver; download both. Download the Chipset driver too if it’s listed.
4. Install them in the order the maker gives. If no order is given, the usual order is chipset, then Intel Smart Sound Technology, then the Realtek or other audio driver.
5. Restart the PC, then check Device Manager and test the speakers and microphone.

Many makers also have an update app (such as HP Support Assistant, Dell SupportAssist, Lenovo Vantage or MyASUS) that finds the right drivers automatically.

Fix 2: Use Windows Update optional drivers

Windows Update often has the PC maker’s audio drivers, but it may offer them as optional updates that aren’t installed automatically:

• Windows 11: Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates, expand Driver updates, tick any Intel or audio drivers and select Download & install.
• Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View optional updates, expand Driver updates, tick the audio drivers and select Download and install.

Restart afterwards. If you prefer the command line, see how to run Windows Update from the command line.

Fix 3: Reinstall or roll back the driver

If the warning appeared right after a driver or Windows update, roll back first:

1. In Device Manager, double-click the Intel Smart Sound Technology or Intel High Definition DSP entry.
2. On the Driver tab, select Roll Back Driver if it’s available, choose a reason and select Yes.
3. If Roll Back is greyed out, right-click the device instead, select Uninstall device, tick Attempt to remove the driver for this device if it’s shown, select Uninstall and restart. Windows reinstalls a driver at start-up.

If you still have no sound after that, install the PC maker’s drivers (Fix 1). Removing the driver from the DSP can also make the speakers or microphones disappear until a driver is installed again, so have the maker’s driver downloaded before you start.

For some of its own NUC laptop kits, Intel has described a workaround where the Intel SST Audio Controller under System devices is switched to Windows’ built-in High Definition Audio Controller driver (Update driver > Browse my computer for drivers > Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer). Treat that as a last resort on other laptops: it can restore basic sound, but features such as the built-in microphone array may stop working.

Fix 4: Update the BIOS and chipset driver

The DSP is set up by the laptop’s firmware, so an outdated BIOS can stop the audio driver from loading. On the same support page as Fix 1, check for a BIOS or UEFI update and a Chipset driver, and install them following the maker’s instructions. Keep the laptop plugged in and don’t interrupt a BIOS update.

Driver and firmware problems can also cause blue screens. If you’re seeing those too, see DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION and BAD_POOL_CALLER.

Fix 5: Find the driver by hardware ID (advanced)

If your laptop maker no longer offers a driver for your Windows version, the Microsoft Update Catalog can sometimes help. Search it for the vendor and device part of the hardware ID you copied earlier (for example VEN_8086&DEV_0222), since the full ID often returns nothing. Download a package that lists your Windows version, extract the .cab file, and install it in Device Manager with Update driver > Browse my computer for drivers.

Only use drivers from the Microsoft Update Catalog, Intel or your laptop maker. A driver meant for a different model can install but leave you without sound, so create a restore point first.

What not to do

• Don’t use third-party “driver updater” tools. They often install the wrong audio driver for Smart Sound Technology laptops and some bundle unwanted software.
• Don’t install Intel’s generic audio packages over the PC maker’s drivers unless the maker says to. Intel itself recommends the maker’s drivers for laptops.
• Don’t ignore a sudden DSP warning on a laptop that used to work. Roll back the driver that changed (Fix 3) rather than installing more drivers on top.

Related guides

• How to run Windows Update from the command line
• DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION: how to fix it
• BAD_POOL_CALLER on Windows 11 and 10: how to fix it
• 0xA00F4244 NoCamerasAreAttached: how to fix the camera

Official sources: for more detail, see the official documentation:

• Intel: How to fix error codes in Device Manager for Intel Smart Sound Technology on an OEM product
• Microsoft Support: Fix sound or audio problems in Windows

Frequently asked questions

Do I need the Intel High Definition DSP driver?

On laptops that use Intel Smart Sound Technology, yes. Without it, the built-in microphones and often the speakers don’t work. If your sound and microphone work fine and the warning stays, installing the maker’s audio package usually clears it.

Can I download the Intel High Definition DSP driver from Intel?

Intel generally points laptop owners to their PC maker, because the driver is customised for each model. Check your laptop maker’s support page first.

Why did the DSP warning appear after a Windows update?

A Windows or driver update may have replaced part of the audio driver set with a version that doesn’t match your laptop. Roll back the driver (Fix 3) or reinstall the maker’s package (Fix 1).

Is Intel High Definition DSP the same as Intel Display Audio?

No. Intel Display Audio sends sound over HDMI or DisplayPort to a monitor or TV and comes with the graphics driver. The DSP handles the laptop’s own microphones and audio processing.