In this troubleshooting guide, we’ll explain the Realtek Audio Console and how to download and install it on the Windows operating system.

What Is the Realtek Audio Console?

The Realtek Audio Console app (also known as Realtek Audio Control) is a more advanced version of the Realtek HD Audio Manager. It’s a software tool that lets you configure audio devices, including microphones, headsets, speakers, and more.

With Realtek Audio Console, you can change volume parameters and audio device settings for each peripheral that you have connected. You can add playback sound effects and use advanced features like headphone virtualization and equalizers.

Realtek Audio Console contains all the features of Realtek HD Audio Manager and some more advanced tools (and a better user interface).

How to Download Realtek Audio Console on Windows 10 and Windows 11

The Realtek Audio Console comes pre-installed on Windows PCs. If you uninstall it, or a random glitch causes it to disappear or stop working, you can reinstall it from the Microsoft Store:

1. Open the Realtek Audio Control download page from the Microsoft Store website (it isn’t possible to find it directly from the Microsoft Store app).
2. Select Get in Store app.

3. Select Open Microsoft Store in the pop-up window (if it appears).
4. When the Microsoft Store opens, select Get.

5. Wait for the installation wizard to complete.

You can also download the Realtek Audio Console installation file from the official website:

1. Open the official Realtek download page.
2. Scroll down to the Windows section to find the latest driver version matching your operating system and hardware.

3. The Realtek Audio Console download will be available in your downloads folder. Below, we’ll explain how to update your drivers manually using this file.

How to Update Realtek Audio Console

If your Realtek Audio Console software is malfunctioning, you might be able to fix it by installing the latest updates. The easiest way to update the Realtek audio codecs is by updating Windows.

To do so:

1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
2. Select Update & Security.

3. Select Windows Update, then View optional updates.

4. Scroll down and look for a Realtek driver software update. If there’s one available, tick the checkbox and select Download and install to get the latest version.

Otherwise, you can update your Realtek driver version manually:

1. Right-click the Taskbar and select Device Manager.

2. Scroll down and expand Sound, video and game controllers.
3. Right-click Realtek Audio and select Update driver.

4. Select Search automatically for drivers, then wait for the wizard to find and install the latest Realtek audio driver updates. If you downloaded the driver manually, select Browse computer for driver software and select the downloaded file.

How to Open the Realtek Audio Console

Once installed (or updated) you can use the Realtek Audio Console to full effect. Because it isn’t possible to find the program in the System Tray, you’ll have to navigate to its installation folder to open it.

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Program Files\Realtek\Audio\HDA\.
2. Double-click RtkNGUI64 to open Realtek HD Audio Manager.

Pro tip: The easiest way to open the Realtek Audio Console is by creating a desktop shortcut to use in the future. To do so, right-click RtkNGUI64.exe and select Send to > Desktop (create shortcut).

Pump Up the Jam

There’s nothing worse than the sound on your PC suddenly cutting out. But hopefully, this tutorial has helped you get your sound card and Realtek High Definition Audio drivers working as they’re supposed to.

However, Spotify’s auth:74 error can also pop up for several other reasons, such as a corrupt application cache or broken network settings.

This guide will provide multiple solutions to help you eliminate the auth:74 error so you can log back into Spotify on your Windows PC without issues.

Force-Quit and Restart Spotify

It’s a good idea to kick things off by force-quitting the Spotify app on your Windows computer. Usually, that helps clear temporary issues impacting the login process. Just:

1. Right-click the Start button and select Task Manager.
2. Highlight Spotify among the list of processes.
3. Select the End task button.

After you do that, relaunch Spotify, attempt to sign back in, and check if the error recurs. If it does, continue with the rest of the instructions.

Restart Your Computer

Rebooting your computer can resolve broader system-related issues preventing Spotify from signing you in. Just open the Start menu and select Power > Restart.

Run Spotify as Administrator

Running Spotify as an administrator gives the program more control over your computer, allowing it to bypass restrictions causing the auth:74 error. To do that:

1. Force-quit Spotify via the Task Manager.
2. Open the Start menu and search for Spotify.
3. Select Run as administrator.

Check Your Firewall Settings

If restarting Spotify or launching it as an administrator failed to make the auth:74 error disappear, it’s time to shift your focus to your computer’s firewall settings. If you use third-party anti-malware software, check its firewall for a way to allow the Spotify app to communicate with the internet.

However, if you rely on the built-in Windows Firewall for network security, here’s what you must do to check if Spotify has unrestricted access to the internet:

1. Press Windows + R, type control firewall.cpl into the Run box, and select OK.
2. Select Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall on the left of the Windows Defender Firewall window.
3. Select the Change settings button.
4. Scroll down and make sure the box next to Spotify Music or spotify.exe is checked. Next, ensure both boxes under the Private and Public columns are active.
5. Select OK if you made any modifications.

Check Your Proxy Settings

If you’re on a network using a proxy server, the Spotify app should automatically detect your proxy settings by default. However, if the error persists, you should manually set up the application with the relevant proxy information.

Alternatively, if you’re on a trusted network without a proxy, it’s a good idea to configure Spotify to stop looking for proxy settings.

To manage your proxy settings in Spotify:

1. Attempt to sign into Spotify and select Proxy Settings within the auto:74 error message.
2. If you use a proxy server, switch from Auto-detect settings to HTTP, SOCKS4, or SOCKS5 option and fill in your proxy details. If you don’t use a proxy, select No proxy.
3. Select Restart App.

Disable Virtual Private Network

VPNs (or virtual private networks) can cause regional mismatches when Spotify attempts to communicate with its servers during login. If you use a VPN, try deactivating it. Here’s how:

1. Right-click the Start button and select Settings.
2. Select Network & internet and choose VPN.
3. Turn off the switch next to your VPN configuration.

Check the Hosts File

The auth:74 error code could also result from your system’s Hosts file blocking Spotify’s connection to its servers. This is usually the case if you’ve altered the Hosts file in Windows to prevent Spotify ads.

To inspect and remove any Spotify-related entries from the Hosts file:

1. Launch Notepad via the Start menu.
2. Open the File menu in Notepad and select Open.
3. Navigate to the following location:

Local Disk C > Windows > System32 > drivers > etc

4. Set document discovery to All files, highlight the Hosts file, and select Open.
5. Scan the file for lines that mention Spotify and Fastly (Spotify’s content delivery network) and delete them. Examples include:

• 0.0.0.0 weblb-wg.gslb.spotify.com
• 0.0.0.0 prod.b.ssl.us-eu.fastlylb.net

6. Select File > Save As if you had to make any modifications.
7. Save the modified Hosts file to your desktop.
8. Right-click the Hosts file on your desktop and select Copy.
9. Revisit the location of the original Hosts file via File Explorer—Local Disk C > Windows > System32 > drivers > etc.
10. Right-click a vacant area and Paste. If you don’t see an overwrite prompt, right-click the original Hosts file and select Delete.

Clear the Spotify Cache

The Spotify cache stores temporary data to help the Spotify app run faster. However, over time, it can fill up with redundant data, leading to various errors. You can’t clear the Spotify cache via the application interface because you can’t log in, so you must rely on File Explorer instead.

If you use the standard version of Spotify from the Spotify website:

1. Press Windows + R, type appdata, and select OK.
2. Go to Local > Spotify.
3. Right-click the Storage folder and choose Delete.

If you use the Microsoft Store version of Spotify:

1. Press Windows + R, type appdata, and select OK.
2. Go to Local > Packages > SpotifyAB.SpotifyMusic_zpdnekdrzrea0 > LocalCache.
3. Delete the Spotify folder.

Reset Network Settings

Resetting the network settings in Windows can resolve network-related issues from causing login errors in Spotify. The process erases saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords, including VPN configurations, so you must set them from scratch afterward.

To restore the network settings in Windows to factory defaults, you must:

1. Right-click the Start button and select Settings.
2. Select Network & internet.
3. Select Advanced network settings.
4. Select Network reset.
5. Select Reset now.

Remove and Reinstall Spotify

Reinstalling Spotify clears persistent errors by ensuring you have a fresh copy of the application on your system but at the cost of your music downloads.

To delete your current Spotify installation:

1. Right-click the Start button and select Apps and Features/Installed apps.
2. Select Spotify Music and choose Uninstall.
3. Select Uninstall to confirm.

After uninstallation, reinstall Spotify via the Spotify website or the Microsoft Store and check if the error recurs.

Switch Spotify Versions

Switching between Spotify versions—from the Microsoft Store app to the standard desktop application or vice versa—is another fix that might resolve the auth:74 error. There are no feature differences between the versions, so try that out and check if you can sign in without trouble.

Log In and Start Chilling

Spotify’s “Error Code: Auth 74” on Windows is not unfixable. Through various methods like restarting your system, checking the firewall settings, or even reinstalling the application, you can tackle this issue head-on and log in to the app again. Reach out to Spotify Support if none of the fixes above work.

If you use a Chromebook, we’ll show you how to install and run different Minecraft editions on your device. This tutorial covers device requirements, installation instructions, and troubleshooting fixes for issues you might encounter when installing/playing Minecraft on your Chromebook.

Install Minecraft: Bedrock Edition

Minecraft has an official app for Chromebooks or ChromeOS devices in the Google Play Store for $19.99. The app supports access to Minecraft Minecraft, Minecraft Realms, and cross-device play with your friends.

Your Chromebook must meet the minimum device requirements to install “Minecraft: Bedrock Edition” from the Play Store.

Here are recommended hardware and software requirements for the “Minecraft: Bedrock Edition” app:

• Operating System: ChromeOS 111
• Processor (CPU): AMD A4-9120C, Intel Celeron N4000, Intel 3865U, Intel i3-7130U, Intel m3-8100Y, Mediatek Kompanio 500 (MT8183), Qualcomm SC7180 or better.
• System Architecture: 64-bit (x86_64, arm64-v8a)
• Memory (RAM): 4 GB or higher
• Storage: 1 GB or higher.

We recommend updating your Chromebook to the latest version before installing Minecraft.

You might be able to download or install “Minecraft: Bedrock Edition” on low-end/budget Chromebooks that don’t meet these requirements. However, note that the app’s performance on these devices may not be smooth or optimal.

Try the following in-game and out-of-game performance optimization tips if you’re having trouble running the Bedrock version of Edition on your Chromebook.

• Turn off fancy bubbles and leaves.
• Disable smooth lighting and fancy graphics.
• Reduce render distance and particle render distance.
• Turn off beautiful skies and render clouds.
• Close unneeded apps running on your Chromebook.

Although you don’t need a Microsoft account to play Minecraft offline on your Chromebook, you must sign in to Microsoft to connect to Realms servers.

Install Minecraft: Java Edition

Minecraft: Java Edition runs on Mac, Windows, and Linux devices. You can run this Minecraft version on Chromebooks with the Linux development environment enabled.

If your device isn’t Linux-enabled, head to Settings > Advanced > Developers > Linux development environment > Turn on, and follow the installation prompts.

For detailed instructions, refer to our comprehensive tutorial on installing Linux distros on Chromebook.

After enabling the Linux environment, connect your Chromebook to the internet, and follow these steps to install Minecraft: Java Edition.

1. Download the Minecraft Debian/Ubuntu installation file from Minecraft’s website.

2. Save the file to your Chromebook’s Linux files folder when prompted.

3. Open the Linux files folder in the Files app and double-click the Minecraft.deb file you downloaded. Alternatively, right-click the file and select Install with Linux.

4. Select the Install button to proceed.

5. Monitor the installation process in the status area and select Launch to open Minecraft.

You can also launch the Minecraft app from your Chromebook’s app drawer. Press the Search key, open the Linux apps folder, and select Minecraft Launcher.

6. Sign in with your Microsoft or Mojang account.

7. Open the “Minecraft: Java Edition” tab and select Play Demo to download the demo version or select Buy Now to purchase the full version (costs $26.95).

Update your Chromebook’s Linux packages if you have trouble running or installing Minecraft’s Java Edition.

Open your Chromebook’s Linux Terminal, paste sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade -y in the console, and press Enter.

Update and reboot your Chromebook if the Minecraft: Java Edition installation still doesn’t work. Open your Chromebook Settings menu, select About ChromeOS on the sidebar, and select Restart.

Try reinstalling the Minecraft Debian file when your Chromebook comes back on. Contact your Chromebook manufacturer if you still can’t install Minecraft or other Linux apps.

Install Minecraft: Education Edition

“Minecraft: Education Edition” is designed for parents, educators, IT admins, camps, clubs, non-profits, and educational organizations to provide students with game-based learning. It includes hundreds of ready-to-teach creative challenges, lessons, tutorials, and other resources for students.

You need a Minecraft: Education Edition license to install and run “Minecraft: Education Edition” on your school/student’s Chromebook. The license costs $5.04/user per year for eligible educational institutions and $12/user per year for non-eligible institutions. For more information, refer to Minecraft’s support article on Purchasing Options for Minecraft Education Licenses.

The “Minecraft: Education Edition” app requires Chromebooks with ChromeOS version 83 (or later), 4GB RAM or higher, and 1 GB free hard drive space (or more). You can install the app on your school or work Chromebook via Google Play Store.

Open the Google Play Store, search for “minecraft education,” and select Install on the Minecraft Education app page.

Launch the app and sign in with your school or organizational account. You can also take a demo lesson without signing in.

Contact your school or work administrator if you have issues installing or running Minecraft: Education Edition on your Chromebook.

Play “Minecraft Classic”

Minecraft Classic is one of the earliest versions of the sandbox game. You can play Minecraft Classic alone or with up to nine people for free via any web browser.

Minecraft Classic is only available in Creative Mode with limited inventory items (32 blocks). All you can do is place/mine blocks, create tunnels, chat with other players, and navigate the game location.

1. Visit classic.minecraft.net in Google Chrome or any browser on your Chromebook.
2. Wait while your browser loads the game, enter a preferred username, and select Start.

3. Want to play with your friends? Copy and share the link and wait for them to join in. All they need to play is to open the link in their browser and create a unique username.

Your friends or other players can join the game via any web browser on a Mac, Windows PC, or Chromebook.

Play Minecraft on Chromebook

Installing Minecraft on ChromeOS devices is an easy task. However, the Bedrock and Java editions are resource-intensive, and you might have issues running them on low-end Chromebooks. Contact your device administrator if you can’t install or run Minecraft on a school or work-issued Chromebook.

In this troubleshooting guide, we’ll explain what causes the Zoom update error code 10002 and how to fix it.

What Is the Zoom Installation Error Code 10002?

The Zoom error code 10002 is an error message that seems to mostly affect Apple macOS users. But it can appear in a Windows PC too. Usually, the error occurs when trying to update Zoom. If you’re hit with the 10002 error code, you’ll be unable to update or use the Zoom app.

There are three main causes for the 10002 error code:

1. The source link for the Zoom installer package is broken.
2. The Zoom app doesn’t have the right permissions.
3. The macOS desktop client cannot auto-update.
4. Your antivirus software or firewall prevents the Zoom installer by quarantining vital files.
5. Network connectivity issues or other problems with your internet connection that prevent you from downloading the latest version of Zoom. However, this usually shows up as Zoom error code 5003.

How to Fix Zoom Error Code 10002

Below, we’ll explain how to fix the Zoom 10002 error code on Microsoft Windows. If you need to fix the Zoom error code 10002 on macOS, check out our detailed guide.

Uninstall and Reinstall Zoom

To do so:

1. Press the Windows key to open the Start Menu.
2. Type “Control Panel” in the search bar, then select it from the list.

3. Select Uninstall a program.

4. Scroll down, right-click Zoom, and select Uninstall. Complete the uninstallation wizard.

5. Head to the official Zoom.us website and download the Zoom desktop app installer.

6. Complete the installation process, then reboot your computer.

Note: If this doesn’t work, you can submit a request with Zoom Support to investigate the error. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:/Users/Username/Appdata/Roaming/Zoom and copy the Installer.txt file. Add this to your request so that the support agent can work out what’s going wrong.

Contact Zoom Support

Hopefully, this guide has helped you resolve the error code and get back to your Zoom meeting.

If you’re still experiencing issues with the Zoom client, contact Zoom Support or leave a message on the Zoom Forums. In the meantime, you could use Zoom on your iPad, iPhone, or Android device.

But wait—what if you’re still rocking Razer hardware? Rarely, Synapse encounters hiccups and crashes, and uninstalling it is an effective troubleshooting measure. Setting it up from scratch after that refreshes the installation and—in most cases—resolves severe issues.

Whether you’re on a PC or Mac, this guide’s got your back, taking you through the steps to completely uninstall Razer Synapse 3 (Windows) and Razer Synapse 2 (macOS).

Export Your Razer Profiles (Optional)

If you plan to uninstall and reinstall Razer Synapse, consider backing up any customization profiles for your Razer devices. This gives you the option of quickly adding them back later.

Your data should be synchronized with Razer’s servers if you have a Razer ID. However, if you don’t, you can export the profiles manually. To do that:

1. Select the Razer mouse or keyboard on the top menu in Razer Synapse and choose Customize.
2. Select the More icon (three dots) next to the device and select Export.
3. Check the boxes next to the profiles you want to export.
4. Select Export again.
5. Repeat steps 2–4 for any other devices you’ve linked up with the software.

Uninstall Razer Synapse 3.0 (Windows)

You can uninstall Razer Synapse via the Apps and Features/Installed Apps console in Microsoft Windows 10/11. You must follow by manually deleting the left-over Razer Synapse installation folder, including any mouse and keyboard drivers you no longer need.

Close Razer Synapse

Razer Synapse always runs in the Windows background, so you must quit it—including any other Razer applications on your computer—to minimize problems during uninstallation. To do that, right-click the Razer icon on the system tray and select Exit All Apps.

If you have trouble quitting Razer applications, use the Windows Task Manager to end all Razer-related processes.

Remove Razer Synapse

You can uninstall Razer Synapse through the Apps and Features/Installed Apps console in Windows 10 and 11. Here’s how:

1. Right-click the Start button and select Apps and Features (Windows 10) or Installed Apps (Windows 11).

2. Scroll down the list of applications and select Razer Synapse. Then, choose Modify—in Windows 11, select the More icon (three dots) to reveal the option.

3. On the Razer Gaming Software window that shows up, select Uninstall.

4. Check the box next to Razer Synapse and any other Razer products you want to uninstall—select Uninstall to proceed.

5. Select Yes, Remove as confirmation.

Alternatively, use the older Programs and Features applet in the Windows 10/11 Control Panel to remove Razer Synapse.

1. Open the Start menu, type Control Center, and select Open.

2. Select Uninstall a program.

3. Select Razer Synapse and choose Uninstall.

Remove the Razer Synapse Left-Over Folder

Razer Synapse leaves its installation folder, which contains miscellaneous items related to the application, behind. It’s safe to delete manually. Here’s how:

1. Open File Explorer, copy the following path into its address bar, and press Enter:

C:\Program Files (×86)\Razer

2. Right-click the Synpase3 folder and select Delete.

Remove Razer Drivers

To delete all hardware drivers for your Razer hardware, use the Device Manager:

1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.

2. Expand the Human Interface Devices, Keyboards, and Mouse and other pointing devices sections, right-click a Razer driver, select Uninstall device.

3. Select Uninstall to confirm and continue removing any other Razer drivers.

Note: If you have trouble using the Razer Synapse uninstaller to remove Razer Synapse, use a dedicated third-party application removal utility for the job.

Uninstall Razer Synapse 2.0 (macOS)

If you use Razer Synapse 2 on your Mac, you can trash the program like you’d any other application. However, the uninstallation process leaves files and folders to manually delete afterward.

Remove Razer Synapse

To remove the Razer Synapse app on your Mac:

1. Open Finder and select Applications on the sidebar.
2. Control-click Razer Synapse and choose Move to Trash.
3. Enter your Mac user account password to authenticate the action.

Remove Razer Leftovers

Use the macOS Finder to locate and delete Razer leftovers. Here’s how:

1. Open Finder and select Go > Go to Folder on the menu bar.

2. Visit the following directory:

/Library/Application Support

3. Delete the folder labeled Razer.

4. Repeat steps 1–3, visit the following directories, and remove Razer-related files and folders:

• ~/Library/Application Support — Delete the Razer folder.
• /Library/LaunchAgents — Delete the com.razer.rzupdater.plist file.
• /Library/LaunchAgents — Delete the com.razerzone.rzdeviceengine.plist file.

Note: If you can’t delete Razer Synapse normally, a dedicated Mac program uninstaller should help.

You’re Removed Razer Synapse From Your PC

That’s it! Razer Synapse is no longer on your PC or Mac. If this was all because you’re done with your Razer devices, then you’re all set. But if this was part of troubleshooting to get the application back on track, quickly visit the official Razer website to grab the latest version of Razer Synapse before reinstalling it.