Headphone jack issues with HP Spectre x360 - 15-bl100na

[Nyx_]

Hi, 

I have an HP Spectre x360. For as long as I've had the laptop, the audio through the headphone jack has been very tinny and poor quality. There is also a delay of around 2-3 seconds between pressing play and sound being produced. I read some threads by other users with this issue and tried replacing the Realtek drivers with Microsoft's, which had been a solution for some. However, with the Microsoft drivers installed the audio instead becomes very crackly. I've tried different headphones, all of which work perfectly when used with my phone and desktop. I've also run the Windows troubleshooter multiple times. In all cases, there's a static hiss whenever sound is or has been playing. The audio Component Test in HP Hardware Diagnostics passes, but does have a background hiss. Any help with a solution would be very much appreciated.

Thank you.

[The_Fossette]

@Nyx_,

Welcome to the HP Forums!

Thank you for posting your query on this forum, it's a great place to find answers.

I reviewed your post and I understand that there is a delay when you connect headphones to the computer.

Don’t worry, I assure you I will try my best to get this sorted.

I recommend you download and install HP support assistant from the below link and install all the updates and check whether the issue is resolved.

http://www8.hp.com/in/en/campaigns/hpsupportassistant/hpsupport.html?jumpid=va_r602_in/en/any/psg/pl...

Here is how it is done.

1. Click My devices in the top menu, and then click Updates in the My PC or My notebook pane.

   

2. Click Check for updates and messages to scan for new updates.

   

3. Review the list of updates. Updates with a yellow information icon are recommended. Updates with a blue information icon are optional.

4. Click the update name for a description, version number, and file size.

5. Select the box next to any updates you want to install, and then click Download and install.

6. Perform any other update management actions as needed.

   • Postpone an update: Click Remind me, and then select a time preference.

   • Delete an available update: Click the Delete icon  to remove the update from the list and record it in the action log.

   • Review updates status: Click Action log below the list to view installed, postponed, or deleted updates.

If you continue facing the issue, I will share you few details through a private message about the service options dedicated to your product, please watch your inbox for more information.

I await a response at your earliest convenience and you have a great day!

If you wish to show appreciation for my efforts, mark my post as Accept as Solution. Your feedback counts!

Cheers!

[Nyx_]

Hi, thank you for your reply. I followed the instructions, but the Support Assistant just says "No Updates Available". I've contacted HP support over the phone and have updated the BIOS and Windows. Neither solved the audio issues so they're now sending me a recovery kit, since my recovery partition is oddly empty. If that doesn't work then they said it's likely a hardware issue and will need repairing. 

[The_Fossette]

@Nyx_,

Thank you for keeping me posted.

Please perform a recovery using the recovery media and check whether the issue is resolved. 

If the issue persists, please contact phone support and they will arrange a repair.

Good day! Take care 🙂

Cheers!

[heidji]

I don't think the official support can help you although this question has been the elephant in the room for some time now and until now updates after updates nothing happened.

the answer is to stick to the realtek audio driver but updating the registry like in the following link:

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Audio/System-Sound-Delay/td-p/6224970/page/2

as for the crackling sound that has been happening since the realtek update with the version 6.0: 

go to device manager -> right click properties on realtek audio driver -> roll back driver and restart.

i really hope more people experience these issues with these god forsaken audio drivers. unbelievable quality..

keep in mind that windows updates usually revert these changes so remember them and re-apply after every windows update

[Nyx_]

Hi Heidji,

Thank you for your reply. I tried the fix linked in your post, but I'm still getting a hiss with both drivers and very pitchy/tinny audio with the Realtek ones. I've totally reinstalled Windows at this point, testing the Realtek drivers from HP's driver download page and the Microsoft drivers. With either, there'll be seemingly random pauses, crackles, pops, etc., Since the issues change with drivers, I wouldn't have thought it's a physical issue (except perhaps for the hiss), but I'm not sure what else to try.