Sound problem

[TubaroS]

I have an Omen 15 en0002 np, Ryzen 7 4800H CPU and GTX 1650 TI GPU. For some time now I've been having static problems (crackling or scratching) with the Realtek sound controller during games and sometimes during video playback. The HP diagnostic tool doesn't detect any problems; at the end of the diagnostic, the option to test sound appears, sometimes it sounds normal, other times it crackles despite the diagnosis being positive.

The Device Manager says the driver is working correctly; when I click on update driver, it says I already have the latest version installed. It's worth noting that the version driver in HP site is the same one installed on my PC.

Windows troubleshooting detects that the driver has a problem, but it can't solve it, leaving everything the same.

Sometimes, when I clean up with PC Manager or Revo, the sound returns to normal, but the problem quickly returns.

I tried to solve this with the help of CoPilot, but it ended up just going around in circles without resolving the issue. I wasted a few hours only to conclude that CoPilot is dumber than me. Following the AI's instructions, I reinstalled the AMD chipset because it was supposedly conflicting with the AMD Audio Coprocessor. Then we tried installing a more recent Realtek version, I believe from the Windows library, which according to the AI ​​was compatible with my system and would solve the problem... After extracting all the files and starting the installation, the PC froze, restarted, and went into a boot loop. After resetting the PC, I wasted even more hours without any results.

I gave up. Now I have the PC connected to the TV because that way it uses the Nvidia sound controller without any problems. But I would like to solve this, if there is a solution.

And then another question arose: what if this isn't a driver problem but a hardware problem, or rather, a problem with the PC's own speakers? Is there a way to test this?

Thank you in advance for any answer that can help me.

[Jerry_57]

HI @TubaroS,
 

Welcome to the HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query. I will be glad to help you.

I'm sorry to hear how much time you've already spent troubleshooting this issue, especially after the failed driver installation and boot-loop recovery.

Based on your description, the issue appears more likely to be software or driver-related than a speaker hardware failure, particularly since the audio works normally at times and HDMI audio through the NVIDIA controller is unaffected. 

Try these in order — each has been proven to stop Realtek crackling:
 

Disable audio enhancements:

Right‑click the speaker icon → Sound settings → select Realtek device → turn Audio enhancements and Spatial sound OFF.

Also check “Disable all enhancements” in classic Sound Control Panel.

Lock audio format:
 

Go to Control Panel → Sound → Playback → Properties → Advanced.

Set Default Format to 16‑bit, 44100 Hz (CD Quality) or 16‑bit, 48000 Hz.

Switch temporarily to generic driver:
 

Device Manager → Sound → Realtek Audio → Update driver → Browse my computer → Let me pick → choose High Definition Audio Device (generic Windows driver).

If crackling disappears, it confirms Realtek driver is the culprit.
 

Reinstall Realtek driver cleanly:
 

Device Manager → Uninstall Realtek Audio (check “remove driver”).

Restart → Windows reinstalls automatically.

If still unstable, download the exact Realtek driver from HP’s OMEN 15 support page, not Windows Update.
 

Adjust power settings:
 

Control Panel → Power Options → High Performance.

Advanced settings → Processor power management → set Minimum processor state to 100%.
 

Prevents CPU throttling from interfering with audio buffers.

I hope this will help.

 

Take care and have a good day.

[TubaroS]

Thanks for the reply. I'll try that and get back to you with an update on whether it worked or not.