After full reinstall of Win 10 I have bad sound quality

[BeSweet]

After several problems with programs I was advised to fully reinstall Win 10.  I was warned that afterwards all programs I had installed that were not part of the original system would be gone and I would have to reinstall them.  It provided a list so I wasn't too concerned with that.  However, included on that list was the IDT high definition audio CODEC driver.  I found the driver and attempted to install it but received the error stating "the device attached to the system was not functioning".    I don't understand this message, since I changed nothing in the hardware.

Prior to the Win 10 reinstall I had 2 selections for drivers for my sound.  The regular "high definition audio device" driver  and the IDT driver.  However, only the original "high def" driver is there now.

I have read numerous requests for help on this same issue here in the forum and have tried all the responses but nothing will restore the better quality sound I had before the Win 10 reinstall.  I only get that "tinny" kind of sound.

Please help me.

[edit:  I tried the previous "fix" from 2017 when this happened before and it didn't work.]

Here is full system info:

[DavidSMP · Accepted solution]

@BeSweet,

Thanks for stopping by the HP community. A very good day to you. I reviewed the post regarding issues with audio after an update.  I will be delighted to assist you here.

Superb description and stupendous diagnosis of the issue before posting. Kudos to you for that. 🙂

For better clarity and to assist you better I would require information regarding this:

• Did you try to install the Windows 8.1 audio drivers and check if it works?

For now, let me keep you posted about a few things here:

• Please perform a hard reset on the computer by following steps from this link:https://hp.care/2nwQ054

Then perform these steps:

• Right-Click on start button> click device manager> expand sound video and game controllers>then select the sound drivers and right-click on it and uninstall the audio drivers. Then check the box delete the software for this device.
• Then restart the computer and update the bios and audio drivers from this link: http://hp.care/2syreDe and follow the on-screen instructions.
• Then check if the situation has been corrected.
• You could download and install the Windows 8.1 audio drivers and bios and install it on your computer if Windows 10 drivers are not available.

Now check if the issue gets fixed.

If the issue continues, then perform these steps:

Solution 1:

• Right-click the speaker icon in the Taskbar and select 'Playback Devices'.
• Left click the default device once to highlight it ( it's usually 'speakers & headphones' ) then click the Properties button.
• Click the Enhancements tab and put a tick in the box next to 'Loudness Equalization'.
• Click Apply to save the change and then click OK in all remaining windows and see if this has helped at all.

Solution 2:

• Right-click the speaker icon in the Taskbar and select 'Playback Devices'.
• Select the Communications tab up the top.
• By default ‘when windows detects communications activity’ is set to ‘Reduce the volume of other sounds by 80%’.
• Change this to ‘Do nothing’.
• Press OK.

Now check for issue resolution.

If the issue persists try these steps:

Solution 3:

• Windows Audio is a Windows service that manages audio for Windows-based programs. If at all this service is stopped due to any reason, audio devices will not function properly.
  To fix audio services, open the run command and launch services.msc.
• In the services window search for Windows Audio and right-click on it to select Start to start the audio service.
• And ensure the Startup Type is set to Automatic.
• Click Apply and OK
• Restart the computer and check if it works.
• If the issue persists, try the steps mention on this link: Click here.
• This should fix the issue for you.

Solution 4:

• Go to device manager (You could right-click on Windows logo on the  bottom left corner of your screen and select device manager from the list)
• Now maximize the “Sound, video and game controllers” from the list. You will see the audio driver. Right-click on “Realtek high definition audio CODEC” and select “Update driver software”. (This could be another manufacturer as well. Not necessarily RealTek)
• Select “Browse my computer for driver software” – Select “Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer”.
• Select “High Definition Audio Device” (Not Realtek High Def...  This is important) and click Next. You will get a warning message but reply “Yes”.
• Once windows have successfully updated the driver software, try playing the audio again and check.

If the issue still persists please perform these steps:

1. Go to Windows Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers section.
2. In the list of audio device drivers, look for Realtek High Definition Audio. This is the device driver for BeatsAudio (a little bit sneaky, wouldn’t you say?).
3. Right-click and select Disable. The downward arrow displays on this driver, indicating it is disabled. (NOTE: At this point, you won’t be able to play any music files.)
4. Right-click and select Update Driver Software.
5. Select Browse my computer for driver software.
6. Select Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer.
7. You should see a window that says Select the device driver you want to install for this hardware. NOTE: If you see a window that says something like This is the best driver for this device, exit the window and repeat steps 4, 5, and 6.
8. In the Model box, highlight High Definition Audio Device (this is the substitute audio device driver) and click Next.
9. At the Update Driver Warning window, click Yes. You should see a confirmation window with High Definition Audio Device displayed. Click Close.
10. In the list of audio device drivers in the Sound, video and game controllers section, you’ll notice that the High Definition Audio Device now displays instead of Realtek High Definition Audio.
11. At the prompt to reboot, click Yes.
12. Enjoy your music now with no compression!!

NOTE: If you miss the compression in your music, you can always go back to using BeatsAudio.

Use the same steps above, just replace High Definition Audio Device driver with the Realtek High Definition Audio driver.

Perform all these steps patiently as it is critical to resolving the issue. Good luck to you. I will keep a watch for your response.  

Let me know how it goes and you have a great day!

To simply say thanks, please click the "Thumbs Up" button to give me a Kudos to appreciate my efforts to help. If this helps, please mark this as “Accepted Solution” as it will help several others with the same issue to get it resolved without hassles.

Take care and have a blessed week ahead. 🙂

[BeSweet]

I'm sorry for the delay in responding to your very detailed remedies but I found a different post that had a link to a resolution that worked before you replied here.  So thank you very much for all the help you provided to me.

That being said, the same problem occurred again after the recent update ( 2 days ago) and I found your message when I came back here.  I tried EVERYTHING you suggested and I have NO SOUND AT ALL!!!

What else can you suggest I do.  I really miss my late night music.  😞

[BeSweet]

PROBLEM SOLVED!!!!!!!!  THANK YOU!!

[DavidSMP]

@BeSweet,

I reviewed the post It was wonderful working with you. You have displayed profound technical expertise coupled with a never say die spirit and these qualities are commendable. Kudos to you for a job well done.

I hope the unit works great and stays healthy for a long time.

To simply say thanks, please click the "Thumbs Up" button to give me a Kudos to appreciate my efforts to help.

 If this helps, please mark this as “Accepted Solution” as it will help several others with the same issue to get it resolved without hassles. 🙂

Please take care, stay healthy, keep smiling big and do have a blessed year ahead. 🙂

[heatman5]

So, @BeSweet, can you share what the Solution was? Thank you.

sincerely,

heatman5