Latest Envy Conexant/B&O sound driver is driving me nuts!

[imaref]

I checked for new drivers yesterday for my Envy m7-u109dx and saw that HP had posted a new Conexant/B&O sound driver dated May 2017. In the notes for the driver, it is listed as CRITICAL.

I downloaded the driver, right clicked on Conexant ISST audio in the device manager, chose uninstall device, and deleted old sound drivers. Rebooted. Installed the new driver. Rebooted.

Now, if I'm playing a Youtube video, the speakers make a dull click/thump sound before playing. If I pause the video, I get the dull click/thump sound. If I start the video again, I get the dull click/thump sound. If I click on the speaker icon in the taskbar, every time I adjust the sound level I get a dull click/thump sound. It's driving me crazy.

So today I decided to go back to the HP drivers site and get the old drivers and to my suprise--THERE ARE NO SOUND DRIVERS AT ALL LISTED FOR MY LAPTOP. Not even the older ones.

Did HP pull the drivers? Am I stuck with these problem drivers?

[Rainbow23]

Hi @imaref,

Welcome to HP Forums, this is a great place to get support, find answers and tips.

Thank you for posting your query, I'll be more than glad to help you.

I understand that you are unable to install the old audio drivers as they are not available on the website. I also see that you are facing issues with the new audio drivers.

Let's go through a few steps to troubleshoot this issue.

And here's the step by step guide for you in the link: http://hp.care/2qK6Bo6

Also, you may perform a system restore from this link and check: Using Microsoft System Restore (Windows 10, 😎

Let me know how this works.
 

You have a good day ahead.

[imaref]

Hi Rainbow23,

Thanks for the response! I can't do a restore because after the Windows 10 Creators Update I did a total clean install of Windows 10 and completely wiped all partitions (which works very well, by the way). I also have System Restore turned off.

I reinstalled the latest chipset drivers from Intel (10.1.1.42), rebooted--no change. I installed the Conexant drivers again and rebooted--no change.

Every time I start playing any audio, whether it be a Youtube video or even adjusting the volume, the speaker makes a slight "pop" or "tap" sound and then the audio starts playing fine. If I'm watching a Youtube video and I skip to a later point in the video, it does the same thing.

It's almost as if the speakers are powering down when not in use, and when the sound comes on that's when I get the annoying pop.

[imaref · Accepted solution]

AHA! I fixed it! Here's what I did...

1. Go to control panel, click on Conexant ISST Audio and choose "uninstall".

2. After uninstalling--reboot. When the computer starts back up, the volume icon will have a red X since there is no driver.

3. Wait for a few minutes and then Windows 10 will install the driver for you (you may have to wait longer if you have a slow internet connection).

4. I double checked in the device manager, and Windows 10 installed the driver dated 5/14/17. AND IT'S WORKING NOW!!!!

[Rainbow23]

Hi @imaref,

I am happy to know that the issue has resolved.

I also appreciate your time and patience.

Feel free to ask your queries as this forum has some of the best people in the world available and ready to help.

It was a pleasure assisting you. You have a good day ahead.

[despev]

Hi,

I just bought a new Envy laptop and I'm having the exact same problem. Is there an earlier version of the driver available to download?

Thanks

[Riddle_Decipher]

@despev

Welcome to HP Forums, 

This is a great place to get support, find answers and tips, 

Thank you for posting your query, I'll be more than glad to help you out 🙂 

As I understand the sound driver isn't working anymore,

Don't worry as I'll be glad to help, however, to provide an accurate resolution, I need a few more details: 

Did you check or perform the steps suggested on this thread as it seems to have helped the other user?

If you have and the issue persists, please follow the below steps:

Click here for instructions on recovering the original drivers from the recovery manager,

if the updates from HP website doesn't work.

Let me know if those steps worked for you,

If they did, that's awesome!

Give us some reinforcement by clicking the solution and kudos buttons,

That'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!

Good Luck

[despev]

Hi Riddle_Decipher,

Thanks for getting back to me.

I've tried the other solution mentioned in this thread but unfortunatley still had the same issue.

I then tried reinstalling the driver using the Recovery Manager which reinstalled the Conexant Smart Audio driver, though after a reboot I now have no sound at all, although the driver is listed in device manager.

Is the sound issue a common problem with the latest version of this driver? Is there an earlier version I cpould try?

Thanks!

Update: I now have sound back but still have a popping/activation sound from the speakers when browsing websites with audio content.

Update 2: I reinstalled again and got the sound back. The popping noise has now gone. I'm not sure what fixed this but it might have been the Windows 10 audio troubleshooter I ran. However I now have a new problem as the volume of the speakers is extremely loud even on the lowest setting. I've tried adjusting this in the mixer but it's still incredibly loud at minimum volume.

[Chimney_83]

Greetings @despev, I am the @Chimney_83. It looks like you were interacting with @Riddle_Decipher, but he is out of the office today so I'll take over from here.

Thanks for the reply and trying the suggested steps. I understand that the volume is very high from the speakers now, is that right?

May I know the exact product number of your computer? Click here. Please do not share the serial number of your computer.

Recommend you run the audio troubleshooter again and check. 

Also, try the procedure mentioned below to set Loudness Equalization and check. 

• 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.

If the issue persists, uninstall the audio driver again and download it from www.hp.com/drivers

Keep me posted. 

[despev]

Hi  @Chimney_83,

Thanks for your response. I have tried running the audio troubleshooter again and the only issue it finds is 'low volume' as the mixer is set to the lowest setting. Even at this setting the default volume is very loud.

I have tried follwing your instructions for loudness equalization but there is no loudness equalization option in the enhancement tabs just 'endpoint name' and 'system effects configuration'.

The product number for my laptop is f4W12EA#ABU ICC