Removing and Reinstalling USB Audio Drivers on Windows 10

Are you experiencing issues with your USB audio interface on Windows 10? Have you tried uninstalling and reinstalling the driver to no avail? You're not alone. Many users have reported problems with their Steinberg USB audio interfaces, which often result in duplicate entries in the Device Manager. In this article, we'll explore how to remove and reinstall the USB audio drivers on your Windows 10 system.

The Generic USB Audio Driver

For those who don't have a special USB sound card, there will only be a USB Composite Device that relies on Windows' built-in generic driver. This driver cannot be uninstalled as it's a part of the operating system.

Removing Sound Cards and Controllers

To remove the sound cards or controllers, you'll need to go to the Sound, video and game controllers section in the Device Manager. Look for any devices with a checkbox that allows you to uninstall the corresponding driver. You may also want to check the Universal Serial Bus controllers section, but most likely, you won't find anything that needs to be removed there.

Virtual Devices

The devices under Audio inputs and outputs are not relevant in this context. These are virtual devices created by Windows from the information provided by your sound cards or controllers. They don't affect the functioning of your USB audio interface.

Uninstalling Steinberg USB Controller Utility

In my case, I found a Steinberg USB controller utility in Apps and Features that allowed me to uninstall it. However, the installer insisted that it was still installed, even after I uninstalled it. To get rid of this device, I had to uninstall it from the Apps and Features section and then delete it from the Audio Inputs and Outputs section.

Why Do They Keep Reappearing?

So, why do these devices keep reappearing even after you've deleted them? It's likely because the driver is still installed on your system. To remove the driver completely, you'll need to uninstall it using the Device Manager or the Apps and Features section.

Installing a Fresh Version of the Driver

If you're experiencing issues with your USB audio interface, you may want to try installing a fresh version of the driver. To do this, go to the manufacturer's website and download the latest driver for your device. Make sure to uninstall any existing drivers before installing the new one.

Removing and reinstalling USB audio drivers on Windows 10 can be a bit tricky, but it's possible with the right steps. By following these instructions, you should be able to remove any duplicate devices from your Device Manager and install a fresh version of the driver for your USB audio interface. Happy troubleshooting!

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