Constantly having to repair audio drivers to use headphones

[wormwxxd]

Every time I plug in my headphones, I lose audio in them. Volume mixer shows output as the Headphones, and when I investigate audio problems in the Sound window, everything is as it should be. Unplugging the headphones returns sound to the laptop's speaker, which seems to have no issues.

The only way I've discovered to get sound through my headphones is to go HP Support Assistant > Fix Audio Issues. 

Initially, there are no problems detected - no drivers are flagged as any problems, but I cannot hear the test audio. Only when I select 'Unable to hear audio' and it runs another test, am I able to get the headphones working. I have to do this every time I plug in my headphones in order for them to work.

This only happens with headphones into the headphone AUX jack (with all headphones that have an AUX input) - no issues with USB headphones. 

Is there a more permanent fix? It is very very tiresome to repeat this process every time I plug my headphones in. 

[ub6424]

Sorry to hear that you are having problems ... and I would like to help you.

(1) Update BIOS

HP Notebook System BIOS Update (Intel Processors)

F.14 Rev.A

10.1 MB

Mar 23, 2022

Download

Why should you install the update ?

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/ish_4123786-2338478-16

Quote: "

Updating the BIOS is recommended as standard maintenance of the computer. It can also help resolve the following issues:

• An available BIOS update resolves a specific issue or improves computer performance.
• The current BIOS does not support a hardware component or a Windows upgrade.
• HP Support recommends installing a specific BIOS update.

"

(2) Install/Update

Intel Chipset Installation Utility and Driver

10.1.18698.8258 Rev.A

0.5 MB

Jun 4, 2021

Download

Intel Management Engine Interface (MEI) Driver

2108.100.0.1053 Rev.A

17.3 MB

Jun 4, 2021

Download

(3) Reboot

(4) Install audio driver

Realtek High-Definition (HD) Audio Driver

6.0.9132.1 Rev.A

629.7 MB

Jun 4, 2021

Download

(5) Reboot and test again ...

[wormwxxd]

Hey - I followed these steps, and the process worked for approximately four days. The problem has now started again in the exact same way. 

[ub6424]

Hello @wormwxxd 

Windows Update also updates your device drivers. That is the reason why it does not work after that. Please follow these instructions:

https://www.itechtics.com/disable-specific-driver-update/

You can

(1) exclude a specific device from Windows driver updates or

(2) turn off driver updates for all devices.

If in your case only one device is affected I would recommend (1).

Please report your results

[cgarcat]

Hello! I have exactly the same problem, did you get fix it permanently?  it is a very annoying issue

[cgarcat]

I've tried fix the audio problem following your instructions but it doesn't work, please what else I can do?

[ub6424]

Hello @wormwxxd 

Please report your results

[wormwxxd]

Which driver do I want to disable updates for, which is the driver causing the problem? Does this mean this driver will never be updated again?

[ub6424]

The windows update of the<realtek audio driver> must be prevented using the instructions I wrote you.

- Get hardware ID of <realtek audio driver>

- Follow these instructions, 

https://www.itechtics.com/disable-specific-driver-update/