March Windows 8.1 update broke Realtek I2S audio

I followed these instructions and ended up exactly in the same spot as before. After installing the audio driver I was unable to reboot and had to recover from a restore point.

Hello John,

Thank you for keeping us updated on the status of the issue.

It seems that there are still some corrupted drivers existing in the device manager. Let’s work together to get this problem resolved.

I would suggest you to try the following steps to uninstall all the hidden driversand restart the computer. Let the Windows install the generic drivers and then see if it helps you to fix the issue.

1. Press Windows key + X, Click on Command Prompt (Admin).

Note: If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or clickAllow.

2. Command prompt Window will be open.
3. At the command prompt, type the following lines, pressing Enterafter each line:

set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1

cd\ %SystemRoot% \System32

start devmgmt.msc

4. Device Manager Window will open.
5. Click on show hidden devices under View menu Tab.****
6. Expand all the nods under device manager**.**

7. There would be many greyed out entries in device manager uninstall all the greyed out entriesunder all the nods and then restart the computer.

8. Follow the onscreen instructions to uninstall the current version of the driver.
9. Restart the computer. On restart, Windows will re-install the generic drivers automatically.

Hope the information helps.

Please do let us know if you need further assistance with Windows related issues, we’ll be glad to assist you.

Thank you 

Hello John,

Thank you for keeping us updated on the status of the issue.

It seems that there are still some corrupted drivers existing in the device manager. Let’s work together to get this problem resolved.

I would suggest you to try the following steps to uninstall all the hidden drivers and restart the computer. Let the Windows install the generic drivers and then see if it helps you to fix the issue.

1. Press Windows key + X, Click on Command Prompt (Admin).

Note: If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or clickAllow.

2. Command prompt Window will be open.
3. At the command prompt, type the following lines, pressing Enter after each line:

set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1

cd\ %SystemRoot% \System32

start devmgmt.msc

4. Device Manager Window will open.
5. Click on show hidden devices under View menu Tab. ****
6. Expand all the nods under device manager**.**

7. There would be many greyed out entries in device manager uninstall all the greyed out entriesunder all the nods and then restart the computer.

8. Follow the onscreen instructions to uninstall the current version of the driver.
9. Restart the computer. On restart, Windows will re-install the generic drivers automatically.

Hope the information helps.

Please do let us know if you need further assistance with Windows related issues, we’ll be glad to assist you.

Thank you

Hello, I just wanted to mention that I have an XE500T1C-a01ca that is having exactly the same issues as noted above.  This began with a windows update as the others suggested.  Being a 25 year System Admin I figured what the heck, wipe the drive and start over.  I came to the conclusion that as long as I don't install the audio driver the system will reboot.  I presently have the item connected to a Bluetooth speaker and that works and if I install the driver for audio, I get audio until the next reboot where it fails and has to recover itself. 

Does anyone have any idea how to fix this?  Samsung was less than Zero Support.  They don't even know their own product, after finally getting a part number for a recovery Cd, they sent me a 64 bit version of windows 8.1...Needless to say that was useless.

BTW, for fun I tried the windows 10 install, flawless install until the audio driver issue once more.

Any ideas, any one. 

Note:  I did see that there was some minor conflicts with the I2S and the Intel latest drive as well, tried to roll it back and thought I had a solution, but it started to crash again so not sure...

Thanks..John.

I confer with the tablet and Win 8.1 audio drivers.

don't waste your time with Samsung I tried to get through. the first was after a custom win 8.1 iso install and getting WLAN Drivers installed. Broadcom drivers were not working and the lady at Samsung said "warranty issue" (even though Win 8.0 works but not 8.1 with no drivers). it was CHIPSET that got that going.

ALSO asking anoterh samsung support lady when to expect a ne driver, they told me that it is warranty issue. it is SAD to have to 'train' their Staff about hardware failure and driver conflicts. Even sad to see how many sent away on warranty 9or spent their own money) to get it replaced and have same issue.

I'm surprised that Samsung has taken so long to get new drivers available.

I left my chat with the lady last time telling them I'll come back and teach them when I find a solution.

Where I am at is NO WIN 8.1 sound driver (Back to clark galbe or charlie chaplin silent movies for a bit) AND have tried a thinkpad tablet driver (using I2S audio codec) was newer version but not working either MAKE RESTORE PINTS ;O) ).

LAST RESORT for the night, contact REALTEK and ask for a stock (unbranded/customized to samsung).

IF i hear back, or if i find a solution in the meantime i'll post answer.

even if realtek has an i2s driver that works till Samsung EVENTUALLY gets around to fixing this.

the longer I wait the less i like Samsung as a future hardware provider for my next device (should have gone for a suface then MS hardware runs the MS Software) :)

Hi Ashish,

Safe mode as you mentioned does disable the sound which will allow my slate to boot.  The reason is not corrupt drivers but the Windows update as others with the same slate have also found.

Before my original post I did try the Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 sound card drivers in a regular and compatability mode install.  I also tried the driver install from device manager using just the .inf file.  All of these methods result in the same locked up tablet on reboot.

I need to emphasize that audio works after enabling the I2S sound card in device manager.  This points to the fact it is not a hardware issue...sound does work.  This is a MS update that has caused issues with a driver on this device.

Do you think this is something Samsung is better equipped to deal with?

Thanks for your assistance so far,

Tom