Realtek Audio device Code 10 cannot start and unable to update

Hi Connor. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 10 year Windows MVP, and Volunteer Moderator here to help you.

I'll give you all possible solutions for Sound problems in order of priority, so please try any you've already tried again in order. If you have any problems performing any steps I'll be standing by here to help you.

1. Update the sound driver from the PC or device maker's Support Downloads webpage for your exact model, if it is newer than the one presently installed in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start button. While there compare to make sure you also have the latest BIOS, Chipset, Display, Network and all other drivers.

If those drivers don't work then try reinstalling the Realtek Audio manager:

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/download-reinsta...

2. Restore the Windows Audio Service which may have become disabled: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/57567-resto...
3. Next try these checklists: https://support.microsoft.com/en-in/help/402699...

https://www.howtogeek.com/443702/how-to-fix-sou...

Also reset the prompt to ask for which device was plugged in here:

https://windowsreport.com/you-just-plugged-unpl...

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Audio/En...

https://www.dell.com/community/Windows-10/How-g...

4. Right click Volume icon in System Tray, choose Sound Settings, from the Output and Input devices dropdown menus, choose then one(s) affected to see if that helps. If not use the Troubleshoot button nearby.
5. Run the Playing Sound troubleshooter at Start button > Settings>Update & Security>Troubleshoot.
6. Try rolling back the sound drivers in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start button. Choose Sound controller and other audio devices, then Driver tab, then Roll back if available.
7. If no newer sound drivers then uninstall the one presently installed in Device Manager, reached by right clicking the Start Button. Restart PC to reinstall.
8. Try other and older drivers for your model Sound controller, too. For example, try the next oldest driver in the model's online Support Downloads list. To try all previous drivers installed on your system, in Device Manager choose Sound controller's Driver tab, then Update Driver, then Browse, then Let Me Pick.

Finally, try installing the latest Sound driver in Compatibility Mode as shown here:

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/win...

9. If this was caused by Windows Updates then you can check which were installed at Settings>Update & Security>Windows Update under Installed Updates, then uninstall them from the link there, and hide with the Hide Updates tool downloaded from here: http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/2/2/f2...
10. If this was caused by a Version update (which you can confirm at Settings > System > About) then you can roll back the version in Settings>Update & Security>Recovery and then hide it until it matures using the Hide Updates Tool downloaded from here: http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/2/2/f2...
11. You can also use System Restore to get before the problem began, then check for Updates with the Hide Update tool and hide them: http://home.bt.com/tech-gadgets/computing/how-t...
12. Go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

13. If nothing else helps then run a Repair Install by installing the Media Creation Tool and choosing from it to Upgrade Now. This solves many problems and will also bring it up to the latest version which you need anyway and by the most stable method. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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I have tried updating drivers - all give me code 10 cannot start.

Windows Audio service is running.

My device doesn't show up in playback options. It is not detecting any devices because I don't have realtek audio manager and no attempt to install it has been successful. 

I do have a generic "High Definition Audio Device" which allows me to play sound through my monitor speakers, but the audio jacks on my pc for headset are not detecting anything. I can't play sound any way but my monitor.

Connor, I gave you two specific methods to update drivers. These do not involve using the Device Manager which is ineffective because it only checks WIndows Update. Did you try both methods I gave? The reason I ask is that most people do not. I saw that you had tried installing drivers, so I wanted to be sure since your error is a driver rejection error.

I have manually tried installing many, many different realtek drivers and none worked. Even the one directly from my board manufacturers support site results in a code 10 and will not start.

I have tried both methods you gave in your post. I have noticed that when I run the setup on any of the drivers, it does not even appear in my devices and I have to go to "Add Legacy Hardware" to have it even show up. However even after that it will not work.

Have you tried in Safe Mode with Networking (so you have internet), or Safe Mode, accessed by one of these methods: https://www.digitalcitizen.life/4-ways-boot-saf... ?