HP Spectre x360 Late 2018 top speakers don't emit sound

[EddyK]

Hello,

I'm echoing a few other users of the HP Spectre x360 Late 2018 series' (ap0xxx series) concerns and essentially, while there are four speakers on this device, only the bottom two beneath the computer seem to be functioning properly.

The two above the keyboard are extremely quiet or do not seem to be functioning at all. The biggest concern is that they do not produce sound in Windows sound tests and in the HP UEFI Diagnostics Audio Test.

Currently running latest BIOS and audio driver available by HP.

A few users, including myself, seem to have been affected so a fix or acknowledgement of the issue by HP would be appreciated.

[xplosneer]

For the record, I am also one of those with this issue.

The full gamut of hard reset, driver reinstall, audio tests via Windows, HP Assistant, and UEFI were unable to produce any sound from the top speakers.

It also seems like they aren't recognized or addressable as separate devices because the UEFI tests pass when they should be able to play one sound from each speaker and easily fail.

[Devin711]

Any solution discovered for this issue? I am experiencing the same problem.

[Walkan]

I also having same problem. I did all the things to get it in work like BIOS update, Windows update, audio troubleshoot, audio driver uninstall/reinstall etc. but it didn't work for me. I think it maybe a hardware problem.

I bought a refurbished model. Is there any solution you guys got?

[Echo_Lake]

@Walkan
Thank you for posting on the HP Support Community.

Don't worry as I'll be glad to help,  I have a few troubleshooting steps we could try to fix the issue:  

Firstly, let's perform Windows Update and HP Support Assistant:

To check for updates now, select the Start button, and then go to Settings  > Update & security  > Windows Update, and select Check for updates.

Install updates from HP Support Assistant: Go to Download HP Support Assistant to install the tool.

1. To open HP Support Assistant, double-click the HP Support Assistant icon .
2. Click My devices in the top menu, and then click Updates in the My PC or My notebook pane.
3. Click Check for updates and messages to scan for new updates.
4. Review the list of updates. Updates with a yellow information icon are recommended. Updates with a blue information icon are optional.
5. Click the update name for a description, version number, and file size.
6. Select the box next to any updates you want to install, and then click Download and install.

Use the troubleshooting tool in Windows

The audio troubleshooting tool in Windows can automatically fix common audio recording and audio playback problems with your computer. Run the troubleshooting tool using the following steps:

• In Windows, type find and fix audio into Search, or right-click the speaker icon  in the taskbar and select Troubleshoot sound problems.
• Select Find and fix audio playback problems or Find and fix audio recording problems from the Search results.
• Click Next.
• Select the device you want to troubleshoot and click Next.
• Wait while the troubleshooter detects problems and makes changes (or prompts you to make changes).
• When the troubleshooter is done, the Troubleshooting has completed page is displayed, listing any problems found and what changes were made to the computer.
• Click Close.
• If a recommended action is displayed, select Apply this fix.

BIOS Update: Follow steps from the link: https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c00042629
 

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

[Chigurh_13]

Did all the steps above and problem still NOT solved. Anyone else having the same issue?

Is it just a Windows update (build) problem? Would appreciate some heads up on this. Bought this laptop a few days ago and these problems are quite irritating to say the least.

[Echo_Lake]

@Chigurh_13

Thank you for posting back. 

Let's try driver rollback:

• On your, Key Board press Windows key + X 
• Press M to open Device Manager 
• Expand Audio input and outputs
• Right-click on the current Audio driver
• Click Properties 
• Click on the Driver tab 
• Click on Rollback driver if the option is available

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

[xplosneer]

At some point, I shipped my x360 in for repair. I was told that it was actually functioning, as they disconnected the lower speakers and were able to confirm the top speakers were producing sound.

However, the top speakers are very quiet and almost impossible to discern while the lower speakers are plugged in.

As noted by the technicians, the BIOS test cannot differentiate between them either, so you can't test one at a time.

That was just the reality.

[EddyK]

That's quite interesting but pretty disappointing at the same time.

I actually think the quad speakers are an important feature and I'm very sure some people were swayed to purchase this device because of the quad-speaker layout considering that some consumers absolutely despise downward-facing speakers. 

I don't know how many users were affected but this pretty much negates the complaints of reviewers of the latest version of the Spectre x360 who have discussed how the new bezel-less design came at the expense of the 2 top speakers and that this may displease some people. There's pretty much no difference between having these 2 non-functional speakers on a quad layout and having 2 downward-facing speakers on the newest refresh...

Oh well...

[Fishwithadeagle]

Just bought a late 2019 spectre x360 15t and have the same problems that everyone above has described. Yes I did indeed think that it would help the audio quality having 4 speakers, but it hasn't really changed anything on the laptop refresh. There is audio coming out of the top, but it is extremely extremely quiet.