AC97 Drivers

AC97 Drivers

AC97 (Audio Codec) drivers are mainly used for motherboards, video and sound cards. Developed in 1996 by Intel, the “codec” is the standard for analog to digital, and digital to analog conversion. What this means is that it allows the digital sound files from a source such as a CD to be converted to analog sounds on your speakers, or analog recordings from a microphone to be converted to digital for storage or transmission.

As hard as that sounds, the process is pretty simple. Until, that is, Windows 2000 and higher. In many cases the AC97 drivers which come with the motherboard or video card aren’t compatible.

To remedy this click Start, then Help and Support, and finally on the Keep your computer up-to-date with Windows Update link.

You will then be taken to the Microsoft Windows Update website where it will check to see if you have the latest version of Windows Update. Click the Custom button then it appears, and wait. Once Windows Update finishes, you will see a list on the left side of the screen, Select by Type. Click on the Hardware, Optional link at the bottom of that list. If you see AC97 in any of the drivers listed there, check the box beside it, and then click the Review and install link above the list. Follow directions from there.

If Windows Update does not show a download for AC97 drivers, you will have to go to the manufacturer’s website for the hardware which uses them. Via and Realtek will be the two most prominent in your web search. Finding the AC97 drivers you need is just a matter of navigating the websites. Look for driver downloads, support, or just downloads on the main page of the manufacturer’s website.


The average time to get your computer’s sound working is less than fifteen minutes. Luckily this is one of the more common, and as a result, easiest issue to solve. Once you have your AC97 drivers downloaded, it should be smooth sailing from there.