Yeah I have this exact same problem since December, when I formatted and freshly installed Windows 10 (Pro). After installation I download and install everything from Asus's site (audio driver, chipset and all those), but this problem came from nowhere. I also don't think the Realtek HD audio manager's version has anything to do with it. As the problem occurs on Asus's released version of Realtek and also it happens if you let MS to update the Realtek audio manager! It's a ridiculous problem and has been driving me bonkers for this past three months! Never I have faced this problem before, but only after the fresh installation around December. It's that bloody Windows 10 update, where they have included those Spatial Sound (Sonic sound and all those) under audio section, started to cause this problem!
Should I just format now again? Install Windows 10 fresh? And also post-installation should I install all the drivers from Asus's site or let MS download everything?
This is ridiculous! Even after like two years or more Windows 10 is still a BIG ARSE MESS.