Device Manager not showing Sound, video and game controllers

Are Sound, video and game controllers devices missing from your Device Manager? If yes, this post will help you resolve the issue.

How do I update my sound video and game controller?

To update your sound, video, or game controller device drivers, open the Device Manager from the Win+X shortcut menu. After that, scroll down to the Sound, video and game controllers category and expand it. Right-click on the device you want to update and select the Update driver option. You can then use the onscreen instructions to complete the update process.

Many users have reported that they can’t find a Sound, video and game controllers category in Device Manager. It is difficult to update the respective drivers or manage your sound and other controller devices.

It could be a temporary issue which can be resolved by restarting your PC or reconnecting the device. But, if you still experience the same problem, this post will help you fix it.

Device Manager not showing Sound, video and game controllers

If the Sound, video and game controllers category is not showing in Device Manager on Windows 11/10, here are the fixes to use:

Run Hardware and Devices troubleshooter.
Check your device under the Other devices category.
Scan for hardware changes.
Use the Add legacy hardware wizard.
Manually install the driver from the manufacturer’s website.

Sound, video and game controllers missing in Device Manager

1] Run Hardware and Devices troubleshooter

Since you are having an issue with finding your sound or game controller device, you can try running Windows Hardware and Devices troubleshooter and check if it can address and fix the related issues.

Here are the steps to run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter on your PC:

First, open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
After that, type the following command and press the Enter button:
```
msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic
```
It will open up the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter window. In it, click on the Next button and let it scan for problems with your hardware and devices.
Once done, it will show you the issues with respective fixes. You can choose a suitable fix and proceed with the onscreen instructions to complete the process.

You can then reopen the Device Manager and check if you can see the sound, video, or game controller drivers or not.

2] Check your device under the Other devices category

If you can see your sound, video, or game controller device under the dedicated category, it might be listed under the Other devices category. Here’s how:

You can open Device Manager and expand the Other devices category to check if you can find your device or not. If you can see the device, right-click on it and choose the Update driver option. After that, choose the Search automatically for drivers option and follow the prompted instructions to complete the process.

In case you still can’t see your device, click on the View menu and then select the Show hidden devices option. Check if you can now see your devices.

See: Fix Generic USB Hub missing or not showing in Windows.

3] Scan for hardware changes

Another thing you can do is use the Scan for hardware changes feature in Device Manager and then check if the missing devices show up. To do that, click on the Action > Scan for hardware changes option and see if the problem is resolved.

4] Use the Add legacy hardware wizard

You can try adding your device by using the Add legacy hardware feature of the Device Manager. This feature enables you to update or install drivers for devices that Windows doesn’t detect automatically and that don’t support Plug-and-Play. Here’s how you can use it:

First, open Device Manager and select your username from the top.
Next, select the Action > Add legacy hardware option.
In the Add Hardware wizard, press the Next button, select the Install the hardware that I manually select from a list (Advanced) option, and click on the Next button.
After that, choose the Sound, video and game controllers category and hit the Next button.
Now, select the device manufacturer and model from the list and click on the Next button.
Follow the prompted instructions to install the driver.

Read: Fix Camera Missing or Not Showing in Device Manager

5] Manually install the driver from the manufacturer’s website

The next thing you can do is manually install the device driver from the official website of its manufacturer. You can open the device manufacturer’s website in a browser and look for your device with its model number. Then, download the latest version of the device driver and install it on your computer.

I hope this helps!

Why is my PC not detecting any audio devices?

If no audio device is detected or found on your Windows PC, it could be due to an outdated device driver. So, update all your audio drivers and see if you can hear sound on your PC. Besides that, it might be the case that the volume is on mute which is why you are assuming that the audio device is not detected by your PC. So, make sure to unmute your PC. If you have connected an external audio device, ensure that it is properly connected to your computer.

Now read: Bluetooth is missing or not showing in Device Manager.