Some Realtek audio packages register a virtual output endpoint so software can route or mix sound without a second physical device. Because it is part of the Realtek audio driver, this endpoint is installed and updated with that driver, often supplied by your PC or motherboard maker. If sound goes to the wrong place, it is usually a default-device choice rather than a broken driver.
Realtek Virtual Audio Endpoint (companion feature) at a glance
| Detail | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Device kind | Virtual audio output endpoint |
| What created it | The Realtek audio driver |
| Where the driver comes from | PC or motherboard maker audio package |
| How to service it | Update the Realtek audio driver |
| Appears in | Sound settings as a playback endpoint |
| Typical failure mode | Default-device choice sends sound astray |
Worth knowing: Some audio packages register virtual output endpoints.
DriverHub US does not host driver files or bundle an updater. This page documents the Realtek Virtual Audio Endpoint (companion feature)family; its citations are selected from the package-source policy recorded for this family.
The family record names PC or motherboard maker audio package as the package source. Match the package to the exact Realtek Virtual Audio Endpoint (companion feature) device signals on this page and to Windows 10, Windows 11. A family name alone is not enough when the publisher separates packages by model, hardware revision, or PC configuration.
Some audio packages register virtual output endpoints.
Shared identification, preparation, installation, verification, and rollback procedures are maintained on the complete virtual devices guide, rather than repeated on every family page. The citations below follow this family’s declared vendor, Windows, PC-maker, or motherboard-maker source policy.
These links go directly to the named publisher. Check the domain, exact model, Windows version, and package details before installing.
Dell: Official Dell support page. Confirm the exact model and operating system before selecting a package.
HP: Official HP support page. Confirm the exact model and operating system before selecting a package.
Lenovo: Official Lenovo support page. Confirm the exact model and operating system before selecting a package.
ASUS: Official ASUS support page. Confirm the exact model and operating system before selecting a package.
Acer: Official Acer support page. Confirm the exact model and operating system before selecting a package.
Microsoft Surface: Official Microsoft Surface support page. Confirm the exact model and operating system before selecting a package.
Gigabyte: Official Gigabyte support page. Confirm the exact model and operating system before selecting a package.
MSI: Official MSI support page. Confirm the exact model and operating system before selecting a package.
ASRock: Official ASRock support page. Confirm the exact model and operating system before selecting a package.
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Realtek Virtual Audio Endpoint (companion feature) next to the other 13 families in this category
| Family | Manufacturer | Documented Windows releases | How you recognize it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Realtek Virtual Audio Endpoint (companion feature) (this page) | Realtek | Windows 10, Windows 11 | Listed among audio playback endpoints in Sound settings |
| Microsoft Hyper-V Virtual Ethernet Adapter | Microsoft | Windows 10, Windows 11 | Listed under Network adapters with Hyper-V in the name |
| Hyper-V Virtual Switch Extension | Microsoft | Windows 10, Windows 11 | Configured in Hyper-V Manager, not Device Manager |
| WSL Virtual Network Adapter | Microsoft | Windows 10, Windows 11 | Appears under Network adapters when WSL is installed |
| Windows Sandbox Virtual Devices | Microsoft | Windows 10, Windows 11 | Present only when the Windows Sandbox feature is enabled |
| Microsoft Loopback / KM-TEST Adapter | Microsoft | Windows 10, Windows 11 | Named Microsoft KM-TEST Loopback Adapter |
| Microsoft Wi-Fi Direct Virtual Adapter | Microsoft | Windows 10, Windows 11 | Shown under Network adapters with Wi-Fi Direct in the name |
| NVIDIA Virtual Audio Device (companion feature) | NVIDIA | Windows 10, Windows 11 | Listed under Sound, video and game controllers or audio endpoints |
| AMD Virtual Audio / Display Endpoint (companion feature) | AMD | Windows 10, Windows 11 | Appears as an AMD audio or display endpoint |
| Intel Virtual Display / Graphics Endpoint (companion feature) | Intel | Windows 10, Windows 11 | Shown as an Intel graphics or display endpoint |
| ASUS Utility Virtual Audio Mixer (companion software) | ASUS | Windows 10, Windows 11 | Appears as extra virtual audio channels in Sound settings |
| MSI Utility Virtual Device (companion software) | MSI | Windows 10, Windows 11 | Registered by MSI companion software |
| Gigabyte Utility Virtual Device (companion software) | Gigabyte | Windows 10, Windows 11 | Created by Gigabyte motherboard software |
| Corsair Virtual Audio Device (companion software) | Corsair | Windows 10, Windows 11 | Listed as a Corsair audio endpoint in Sound settings |
Microsoft
This adapter is how a Hyper-V virtual machine reaches the network: it acts as the software equivalent of a network card plugged into a virtual switch. It appears the moment you enable the Hyper-V feature and disappears when you remove it, so it is not generally something you download. If it stops passing traffic, the fix lies in Hyper-V's switch configuration and the underlying physical adapter, not in the virtual adapter itself.
Microsoft
The virtual switch is the software network hub that connects virtual machines to each other and, through an external switch, to your real network card. You manage it in Hyper-V Manager rather than as a driver you install, and its behavior decides whether VMs are isolated, share the host's connection, or sit on the physical LAN. Most connectivity problems here trace back to choosing the wrong switch type or binding it to the wrong physical adapter.
Microsoft
The Windows Subsystem for Linux creates its own virtual network adapter so the Linux environment can reach the internet and talk to Windows. It is provisioned and serviced by WSL itself, which means the way to keep it healthy is to keep WSL updated rather than to look for a separate driver. When WSL networking breaks after an update, refreshing WSL and rebooting may restore this adapter.
Microsoft
Windows Sandbox spins up a lightweight, disposable Windows session, and to do so it registers virtual networking, display, and storage devices for the duration of that session. These devices are provided entirely by the Sandbox optional feature and Windows Update, so there is nothing to download or maintain by hand. They exist only while Sandbox is enabled, and enabling the feature also requires hardware virtualization turned on in firmware.
Microsoft
The loopback adapter is a virtual network card with no physical port, used mainly by developers and testers who need a stable interface that lets the PC talk to itself. You add it by hand through Device Manager's Add legacy hardware wizard rather than by downloading anything, then assign it a static address for your scenario. It is harmless when present but pointless unless a specific test setup calls for it.
Microsoft
This virtual adapter is created by the Windows wireless stack to support Wi-Fi Direct connections and features like a mobile hotspot, riding on top of your real Wi-Fi card. Because it is generated by the physical Wi-Fi adapter's driver, its health depends on that driver being current and working. You do not install it separately; if it misbehaves, update the wireless adapter driver from your PC or Wi-Fi chip maker.
Realtek hardware documented outside virtual devices
| Family | Category | Documented Windows releases |
|---|---|---|
| Realtek High Definition Audio Codecs | Audio & Sound | Windows 10, Windows 11 |
| Realtek USB Audio | Audio & Sound | Windows 10, Windows 11 |
| Realtek PCIe Gigabit and 2.5G Ethernet | Network & Wi-Fi | Windows 10, Windows 11 |
| Realtek Wireless LAN Adapters | Network & Wi-Fi | Windows 10, Windows 11 |
| Realtek Bluetooth Adapters | Bluetooth | Windows 10, Windows 11 |
| Realtek PCIe/USB Card Reader Controller | Card Readers | Windows 10, Windows 11 |
| Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller | Ethernet & LAN | Windows 10, Windows 11 |
| Realtek PCIe 2.5GbE Family Controller | Ethernet & LAN | Windows 10, Windows 11 |
| Realtek USB GbE Family Controller | Ethernet & LAN | Windows 10, Windows 11 |
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