DAC driver issues with Windows 11 - remedies and fixes?

[Yachats]

It appears that Windows 11 updates are interfering with a number of DACs and Microsoft's lack of concern is worrying. I just purchased the SMSL Raw Pro Dac 1. It took me about 8 hours to find the right driver (found a link on this website) and get my Windows 11 laptop to recognize the SMSL. Then another update occurred yesterday and Windows 11 cannot find the unit. I've downloaded the driver and installed it but it is not being recognized by Windows. I began searching to see if others were experiencing problems and these threads in the Windows forum popped up:

Windows 11 Update Breaks USB DAC Compatibility: Audiophiles Beware

Attention Windows users: If you're an audiophile or rely on external audio gear that uses a USB Digital to Analog Converter (DAC), you might want to brace yourself. Microsoft's January security update (KB5050009 for Windows 11 and its equivalents in Windows 10) has created a new headache for...

windowsforum.com

Windows 11 DAC Error: Fixing Code 10 Issues Post-Updates KB5050021 & KB5050009

Let’s set the stage. You unbox your high-end USB Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC)—maybe it's your cherished Denon CEOL Carino or the ever-popular Fosi Audio DAC-Q4. You've hooked it up to your Windows 11 system to craft the ultimate listening experience, only to be greeted with a giant middle...

windowsforum.com

Windows 2025 Update Breaks External DAC Audio: Issues & Fixes

It seems our tech-happy lives just hit another bump on the soundwave highway. Microsoft has confirmed that the January 2025 Windows security updates led to an unintended and highly inconvenient aftermath: the breaking of audio playback for users relying on external Digital-to-Analog Converters...

windowsforum.com

Unfortunately, the fixes suggested are above my pay grade. What happened to Microsoft's "plug and play" philosophy? Absolutely maddening.

It looks like I'm being forced to return my SMSL DAC and find another way to listen to my library of digital music. I hope there are some wizards on this forum that have an idea of what is going on and how to create a workaround that doesn't require a degree in computer science.

Thanks!

 

[staticV3]

I just purchased the SMSL Raw Pro Dac 1. It took me about 8 hours to find the right driver

RAW Pro-DAC1

Foshan ShuangMuSanLin electronics Co., LTD. founded in 2009 which located in Shenzhen, China. And our branch company VMV Technology(HK) Company Limited registered in HK in 2013. Our company is specialized in the audio DAC, stereo headphone amplifier, power amplifier, and with own R&D...

www.smsl-audio.com

get my Windows 11 laptop to recognize the SMSL. Then another update occurred yesterday and Windows 11 cannot find the unit. I've downloaded the driver and installed it but it is not being recognized by Windows.

Windows 11 should be able to recognize the DAC plug-and-play, without ever manually installing a driver.

Please check in the Device Manager under "Video, sound and game controllers" if the DAC appears there when plugged in.
If there's an exclamation mark next to it, right-click -> uninstall device -> plug the DAC out -> restart the laptop -> plug it back in -> wait for Windows message "the device is ready for use".

I wouldn't even both with manually installing SMSL's custom driver unless you need a native ASIO interface.

Otherwise, Microsoft's generic plug-and-play device driver works just fine and causes fewer issues.

 

[audio_tony]

What happened to Microsoft's "plug and play" philosophy?

Microsoft have struggled with their USB implementation since the introduction of USB in Windows 95 OSR2.

Even though many things are supposed to be plug and play, that's not always the case even with Windows 11.

If their USB implementation was that successful, utilities like USBClean etc. wouldn't need to exist!

 

[Yachats]

View attachment 457889

RAW Pro-DAC1

Foshan ShuangMuSanLin electronics Co., LTD. founded in 2009 which located in Shenzhen, China. And our branch company VMV Technology(HK) Company Limited registered in HK in 2013. Our company is specialized in the audio DAC, stereo headphone amplifier, power amplifier, and with own R&D...

www.smsl-audio.com

Windows 11 should be able to recognize the DAC plug-and-play, without ever manually installing a driver.

Please check in the Device Manager under "Video, sound and game controllers" if the DAC appears there when plugged in.
If there's an exclamation mark next to it, right-click -> uninstall device -> plug the DAC out -> restart the laptop -> plug it back in -> wait for Windows message "the device is ready for use".

I wouldn't even both with manually installing SMSL's custom driver unless you need a native ASIO interface.

Otherwise, Microsoft's generic plug-and-play device driver works just fine and causes fewer issues.

I wish it were that simple. When I plug the SMSL into Windows, it does not see or recognize the unit. It only recognizes the laptops internal speakers and microphone array. The SMSL DAC is just not there. I've also tried your recommended course of action, but to no avail. Thanks though!

 

[Yachats]

Another article on the problem and potential fixes:

Fix DAC Audio Issues On Windows 11 (2025) – Full Guide

Having DAC audio issues on Windows 11? Discover proven 2025 fixes, driver tips, and best DAC settings for crystal-clear sound.

futureaiblog.com

 

[staticV3]

When I plug the SMSL into Windows, it does not see or recognize the unit. It only recognizes the laptops internal speakers and microphone array. The SMSL DAC is just not there.

Does the device manager flicker/refresh when you plug in or unplug the DAC?

 

[MaxwellsEq]

I wish it were that simple. When I plug the SMSL into Windows, it does not see or recognize the unit. It only recognizes the laptops internal speakers and microphone array. The SMSL DAC is just not there. I've also tried your recommended course of action, but to no avail. Thanks though!

You might consider trying different USB ports or cables.

 

[boswell]

Try installing Equalizer APO (and also PEACE), the EAPO configurator recognises DACs attached to USB ports really well,
you can then choose that as a "speaker" option, has worked for 5 or 6 different dacs for me, seems to recognise the chip

 

[JSmith]

Just on the off chance, have you tried a different USB port at all?

If the issue reoccurred after an update yesterday, then clearly it's not related to the January updates.

Maybe roll back the last update and prevent it from reinstalling... open settings>windows update>update history>uninstall updates. Look under windows for the most recent KB installed just before your DAC stopped working. Right click and uninstall it... reboot.

Problem is Windoze will try to download that KB update again eventually... so if you use this old Windows tool;

Download wushowhide - MajorGeeks

wushowhide is a troubleshooting app from Microsoft that allows you to show or hide Windows Updates. wushowhide is no longer available from Microsoft. See our video tutorial for more information.

www.majorgeeks.com

You can then select that KB and hide the update, which should stop it from installing again.


JSmith

 

[Yachats]

You might consider trying different USB ports or cables.

Thanks for this suggestion. I did change ports and I followed the advice on this article:

Fix DAC Audio Issues On Windows 11 (2025) – Full Guide

Having DAC audio issues on Windows 11? Discover proven 2025 fixes, driver tips, and best DAC settings for crystal-clear sound.

futureaiblog.com

I specifically followed the advice below from the article as well as changing the port for the DAC and IT WORKED!!! I'm now listening to music via the SMSL. I want to thank everyone for their helpful suggestions. Hopefully this thread will help others if they run into similar driver issues!

1. Restart Windows Audio Services​

A quick reset of Windows audio services often clears temporary glitches:

• Press Win + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
• Find Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder.
• Right-click each and select Restart.

This often resolves audio output failures after DAC detection or update problems.