HP Spectre x360 audio issue linux

[ML176]

Hey there,

I've recently switched to CachyOS (arch-based) on my HP Spectre x360 16-aa0078ng laptop due to issues  with windows. Sadly, for some reason, the audio jack does not work properly now. When having the audio device set to speaker I get normal audio quality over my built-in speakers. If I switch to headphone I get partial audio on my headphone but the speakers also play and both play in way worse quality. This did not happen on windows and does not happen on other linux devices. This only happens on this device regardless of the distro.

If I use alsamixer to enable auto-mute the issue persists but the speaker audio quality also worsens.

Here might be some useful outputs:

❯ pactl info
Server String: /run/user/1000/pulse/native
Library Protocol Version: 35
Server Protocol Version: 35
Is Local: yes
Client Index: 359
Tile Size: 65472
User Name: **** 
Host Name: ****
Server Name: PulseAudio (on PipeWire 1.4.10)
Server Version: 15.0.0
Default Sample Specification: float32le 2ch 48000Hz
Default Channel Map: front-left,front-right
Default Sink: alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic.HiFi__Speaker__sink
Default Source: alsa_input.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic.HiFi__Mic2__source

❯ pactl list short sinks
57      alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic.HiFi__HDMI3__sink     PipeWire        s32le 2ch 48000Hz       SUSPENDED
58      alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic.HiFi__HDMI2__sink     PipeWire        s32le 2ch 48000Hz       SUSPENDED
59      alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic.HiFi__HDMI1__sink     PipeWire        s32le 2ch 48000Hz       SUSPENDED
60      alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3-platform-skl_hda_dsp_generic.HiFi__Speaker__sink   PipeWire        s32le 2ch 48000Hz       SUSPENDED

❯ sudo hdajacksensetest -a
Pin 0x04 ( Digital Out, HDMI): present = No
Pin 0x05 (Not connected): present = No
Pin 0x06 (Not connected): present = No
Pin 0x07 (Not connected): present = No

I have no idea why this happens and have yet to find any way to fix it. I'd appreciate any help!

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @ML176 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

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

For this model, we only provide troubleshooting steps for Windows operating systems. Here are the steps you can follow to address audio jack issues on your HP Spectre x360 when using Windows:

Update Audio Drivers

• Open Device Manager.
• Expand “Sound, video and game controllers.”
• Right-click your audio device (usually Realtek or Intel Smart Sound) and select “Update driver.”
• Choose “Search automatically for drivers.”

Check Playback Devices

• Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select “Sounds.”
• Go to the “Playback” tab.
• Ensure “Headphones” is set as the default device when connected.
• Right-click and select “Set as Default Device.”

Run Audio Troubleshooter

• Open Settings.
• Navigate to “System” > “Sound.”
• Scroll down and select “Troubleshoot.”
• Follow the on-screen instructions to detect and fix issues.

Disable Audio Enhancements

• In the “Playback” tab, right-click your headphones and select “Properties.”
• Go to the “Enhancements” tab.
• Check “Disable all enhancements.”
• Apply changes.

Check Advanced Settings

• In the “Playback” tab, select your headphones and click “Properties.”
• Go to the “Advanced” tab.
• Ensure the default format is set to 16-bit, 44100 Hz (CD Quality) or 24-bit, 48000 Hz (Studio Quality).
• Apply changes.

BIOS Update

• Ensure your system BIOS is updated to the latest version using HP Support resources.
• BIOS updates often include fixes for hardware compatibility issues.

HP App Diagnostics

• Open the HP App.
• Run “Audio Check” under diagnostics.
• Follow the guided steps to identify and resolve hardware or driver-related issues.

These steps should help isolate whether the issue is driver-related, configuration-based, or requires a BIOS update. 

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[ML176]

Thanks for your reply,

I've already used these headphones with the audio jack when I was still using Windows 11. That rules out a hardware issue. I've also tried different bootloaders on linux (Grub2, Systemd-Boot and Limine) on the same machine which resulted in the same issue. I've tried a different linux machine where the issue was resolved, ruling out a driver issue. I am on the latest linux kernel for CachyOS, which is Kernel 6.19, ruling out being on an outdated system.

I believe the issue lies with the installed bios. It seems like it isnt correctly handing the realtek audio device to unix systems.

Since the HP Service to check for Bios updates is only for Windows, for whatever reason, and doesnt run on linux, I cannot check whether or not I have the latest Bios. Since the Bios is also updated via an .exe, for whatever reason, I also cannot update the bios even if there is a new version. Since Windows doesnt have a live iso variant I also cannot check on windows without also overwriting my whole system.

I think its clear that I am somewhat upset about this situation. Is it too much to ask for linux support on a system by a named brand like HP on a device costing almost 2.5K new? I don't believe so.

I will try to partition my drive differently or use an external drive running windows to run a bios update (if that even works) and will report on that then (hopefully it works and a new bios has better unix support).

Best Regards

[ML176]

I have now overwritten my entire system because windows doesn't let me boot from an external Harddrive. All this for thr Bios update. Turns out: I was already on the latest Bios which is from december 2025.

The latest Bios still does not allow unix systems to access the Realtek Audio device. Therefor the audio jack of this laptop is now useless until there may eventually be an update for that. But then I have to, again, overwrite my entire system.

[Hawks_Eye]

We sincerely thank you for your patience and co-operation during this troubleshooting process.

I'm sending you a private message to guide you on the next steps.

To access it, click the private message icon in the upper-right corner of your HP Support Community profile, next to your name.

If this resolves your issue, kindly mark this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" if it was helpful.

Take care and have a great day!

Regards,

Hawks_Eye