Acer Nitro AN515-46 Realtek Driver issue still experiencing a persistent bug where the audio pops up

Does anyone know how to fix the Realtek driver issue on the Acer Nitro AN515-46? I downloaded the correct drivers from Acer's support page, specifically the "Audio Driver (ALC287)" versions 6.0.9514.1 and 6.0.9427.1. However, I’m still experiencing a persistent bug where the audio pops when playing sounds.

Before the 2024 update, the previous version worked fine, but now it's no longer available. I also tried downloading the latest Realtek drivers from the official site and used DDU to uninstall and reinstall them, but the audio popping issue persists. I've reformatted the laptop multiple times without success.

As a temporary fix, I’m using the "High Definition Audio" driver, which resolves the popping issue but causes my microphone to malfunction, producing distorted sound.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to permanently fix this issue? Any help would be appreciated!

[Edited the topic title to include the topic issue.]

Accepted answers

Puraw

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1292385#Comment_1292385

Redo the uninstalling of Realtek drivers with DDU, don't bother with the GPU drivers but make sure you run DDU in Safe Mode otherwise audio drivers that are used won't uninstall by DDU. I agree with StevenGen that you don't need RTK console anymore, with the older Acer laptops you had to repeat in RTk Audio Console what audio device you were connecting in the audio port but no longer needed.

All comments

Puraw

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/711039/acer-nitro-an515-46-realtek-driver-issue-still-experiencing-a-persistent-bug-where-the-audio-pops-up

I recommend not to download or install any Realtek audio drivers as other codec drivers (AMD-Nvidia) work together with RTK. Download DDU from Wagnardsoft.com and in Safe Mode run DDU and uninstall all Realtek audio drivers, then just reboot: How to Use the Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to Uninstall an... (intel.com)

StevenGen

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/711039/acer-nitro-an515-46-realtek-driver-issue-still-experiencing-a-persistent-bug-where-the-audio-pops-up

Your Nitro 5 AN515-46 gaming laptop audio is NOT only governed by the Realtek audio driver you need to completely uninstall and then clean install the initial Acer AMD VGA 31.0.12028.2 graphics driver and the VGA Utility 10.22.20069.0, as its got audio components and do the same with the NVidia RTX graphics driver and its audio components, unless you do all that just updating or reinstalling the Realtek audio driver will do nothing and will not fix any audio issues. Try reinstalling the Realtek, AMD and NVidia drivers as I’ve explained above, as you will find that your audio issues will be fixed. I speak from personal experience as I own a Nitro laptop and this what you need to do to get an errored audio functioning again. Good luck and hope this further helps you out.

If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Yes" or "Click on Like" if you find my answer useful👍

Ickooo

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1292321#Comment_1292321

Thank you so much for your suggestion! I followed your steps, and it worked—the audio popping issue is resolved. However, a new issue has come up: the Realtek Audio Console application no longer works and shows the error "Cannot connect to RPC service." Because of this, I can’t use my headset microphone, as there’s no notification to switch sound output and input to the headset. It defaults to the standard headphone option instead.

If you have any advice on how to fix this new issue, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks again for your help!

StevenGen

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1292371#Comment_1292371

Good to hear and I'm glad to help you out, also you don't need the "Realtek Audio Console" I've never used it and didn't even know that it was there until recently, whatever the Realtek Audio Console does you can adjust in windows Settings > System > Sound and adjust the audio or use the DTS or there is another audio enhancer that is FREE called FXSound so use that as both of these enhancers work great with the Nitro laptop to improve sound.

If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Yes" or "Click on Like" if you find my answer useful👍

Ickooo

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1292326#Comment_1292326

Thank you for the detailed explanation! I tried installing the AMD VGA 31.0.12028.2 driver, but it gave me an "incomplete driver" error, stating that I need to install the full driver. Could you please guide me on what steps you followed to ensure everything works smoothly? Specifically, I’m looking for a step-by-step process on what to install first after uninstalling the Realtek, NVIDIA, and AMD drivers.

Your insights have been really helpful so far, and I’d appreciate any additional details to get everything working correctly. Thanks again for your support!

Puraw

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1292371#Comment_1292371

Yes, the RTK Audio Console been removed by DDU too and you need to reinstall RTK Audio control from the Windows Store not from Acer Support, click on this link to install: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/app/9p2b8mcsvpln

Ickooo

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1292378#Comment_1292378

Sorry, but this issue occurs after downloading it from the Microsoft Store.

Puraw

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1292379#Comment_1292379

Did you try that Windows Store link I gave you? Acer published a new version of RTK Audio Console try that:

https://global-download.acer.com/GDFiles/Driver/Audio%20Console/Audio%20Console_Realtek_1.41.294.0_W11x64_A.zip?acerid=638445331790893187&Step1=&Step2=&Step3=NITRO%20AN515-46&OS=ALL&LC=en&BC=ACER&SC=PA_6

Ickooo

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1292383#Comment_1292383

So what I did was uninstall the Realtek, AMD, and NVIDIA drivers using DDU, then rebooted. After that, I downloaded the Realtek Audio Console from the link you sent, first from the Microsoft Store and, for the second try, from the Acer link. However, both attempts resulted in the console getting stuck on the loading screen. Additionally, when I test my headset microphone, it emits a strange noise, like a radio signal.

Puraw

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1292385#Comment_1292385

Redo the uninstalling of Realtek drivers with DDU, don't bother with the GPU drivers but make sure you run DDU in Safe Mode otherwise audio drivers that are used won't uninstall by DDU. I agree with StevenGen that you don't need RTK console anymore, with the older Acer laptops you had to repeat in RTk Audio Console what audio device you were connecting in the audio port but no longer needed.