Volume Problems

[MightyMike77020]

HP OmniDesk Slim Desktop s03-0xxx  I'm having problem with audio. Whenever I switch from one audio track to another whether it's on the Internet or on my desktop, audio drops to barely audible.

Example, listening to music at volume 10.

Song ends, "nest track" starts But...

Next track Playback sounds like it's on volume 4 And I have not touched the volume. Volume says that it's still on 10.

Volume does not correct itself. So I manually have to raise volume from 10 to 20 to hear "next track".

Sound now can be heard comfortably while of volume 20.

Moments later (5 and up to 20 seconds later) sound begins to blast at volume 20 forcing me to drop volume level back down to 10. 

Have run windows 11 update and insured drivers are all up to date.

This is very annoying because I am a very early morning riser and volume disturbs people that are still asleep.

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @MightyMike77020,

Welcome to the HP Support Community! 

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding your PC's volume issue!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

Try these steps:

Check Audio Drivers:

• Go to Device Manager by pressing Win + X and selecting Device Manager.
• Expand the Sound, video and game controllers section.
• Right-click on your audio driver (e.g., Realtek High Definition Audio), and select Update driver.
• Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.

Reinstall Audio Drivers:

• If updating doesn't resolve the problem, right-click on the audio driver and select Uninstall device.
• Restart your computer, which will reinstall the audio drivers automatically.

Adjust Audio Settings:

• Right-click on the speaker icon in the taskbar and select Open Sound settings.
• Choose Device properties under your output device.
• Select Additional device properties.
• In the Enhancements tab, ensure that all enhancements are disabled.
• In the Advanced tab, uncheck the option Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device.

Check Audio Enhancements:

• Open Sound settings by right-clicking the speaker icon.
• Go to Playback tab, right-click on your speakers or headphones, and select Properties.
• Navigate to the Enhancements tab, and uncheck Disable all enhancements.
• Apply changes and see if the problem persists.

Run Windows Troubleshooter:

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
• Run the Playing Audio troubleshooter.

Adjust App-Specific Volume Settings:

• Sometimes individual applications have their own volume settings that might be interfering.
• Right-click the speaker icon and select Open Volume Mixer.
• Make sure that all the application's volumes are consistent and appropriately set.

Check for Windows Updates:

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
• Check for updates and install any available updates that might address system-wide issues including audio.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,

[MightyMike77020]

Check Audio Drivers: I already said I did this. Is this a form letter?

Reinstall Audio Drivers: This was also done as per: "and ensured drivers are all up to date."

Adjust Audio Settings:

 · Right-click on the speaker icon in the taskbar and select Open Sound settings. - Done.

 · Choose Device properties under your output device. - I don't see this. Or don't know where on page to find it. Or, I don't know what you're talking about.
 · Select Additional device properties. - Can't find this either on page.
 · In the Enhancements tab, ensure that all enhancements are disabled. Can't find this.
 · In the Advanced tab, uncheck the option 
 · Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device.
This information is incorrect. Which leads me to question, is this a form letter or for a different computer? I Have run the Windows 11 update and ensured drivers are all up to date. My monitor is fine because it's also a TV, and the sound on the different channels all works fine... so I opened the control panel, 

Search - Control Panel - Sound Icon  - Playback - Default device - Tv properties - says'...

16 bit, 48000 Hz (DVD Quality), Exclusive Mode has been unchecked, Also Spatial sound is off, Lastly Communications tab - Do nothing is clicked

I understand what form letters can correct an awful lot of problems. But I don't believe this is a form letter fix.

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @MightyMike77020,

Thank you for the response.

Here are some next-step suggestions that address this more specifically:

Check TV Audio Processing Settings

Even though it's a TV, TVs often apply post-processing like auto volume leveling, dynamic range compression, or surround simulation that can interfere with PC audio signals — especially during track transitions.

On your TV's settings (not in Windows), try turning off anything like:

“Auto Volume”

“Dynamic Range Control”

“Virtual Surround” or “Cinema Mode”

“Lip Sync” adjustments

Switch to a Different Audio Output Format

Sometimes HDMI audio sends fluctuating signals when using certain formats like Dolby or DTS.

Try switching to PCM (basic audio signal):

Control Panel > Sound > Playback > your TV device > Properties > Supported Formats tab.

Deselect everything except PCM or basic stereo and test again.

Change Sample Rate

You've already checked it’s 16 bit, 48000 Hz but try 44,100 Hz (CD quality) instead. Some TV audio processors behave differently depending on sample rate compatibility.

Try a Different Output Temporarily

If possible, connect a pair of standard PC speakers or headphones directly to your desktop’s audio out. If the issue doesn't occur with those, it confirms the problem is in the HDMI-to-TV audio path and not the OS itself.

NVIDIA or AMD HDMI Audio Drivers

If you're using HDMI audio via a discrete GPU (like NVIDIA or AMD), ensure you're not just using the Windows default driver but the latest audio driver specific to the GPU:

Go to Device Manager > Sound, Video and Game Controllers.

If you see “NVIDIA High Definition Audio” or “AMD Audio Device,” right-click > Update Driver > Use manufacturer's website.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi,

Thank you for the response.

Let us go through some advanced steps (non-form letter, promise 😄😞

1. Bypass HDMI Audio (Test Only)

Just to isolate the problem:

Plug in wired headphones or speakers to your desktop’s 3.5mm audio jack.

Play multiple audio tracks and observe the behavior.
If the problem disappears, then HDMI audio processing or driver handshake with the TV is the real culprit—not Windows or your system.

2. Set TV to Basic Stereo

Some TVs expect multi-channel audio and "guess" how to process it.

On your PC:

Go to Control Panel > Sound > Playback tab > [Your TV] > Configure.

Set to stereo (not 5.1 or 7.1).

3. Check GPU HDMI Audio Driver

Even if your system says drivers are “up to date,” sometimes Windows default drivers don't include custom HDMI audio processing.

If you're using:

NVIDIA: Install the full GeForce driver package from NVIDIA.com, making sure HD Audio Driver is checked during custom install.

AMD: Same, use AMD Auto-Detect Tool to install proper HDMI audio driver.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,