My job required me to downgrade my laptop to win 10 pro now a sound issue

[pc-forever]

First off, I'm CompTIA A+ CE Masters Certified.

I have an HP Omen  i9, 64 GBS or RAM, downgraded to Win 10 Pro, security issues for work wouldn't allow Win 11, I'm aware some drivers don't work with Win 10, which is fine, I have workarounds except for the audio. I've tried using HP Support Assistant, it can detect pretty well, can't fix the issue, I can't identify my computer model with it, I've tried putting it in manually with the serial number, serial number worked but it said not a valid product model.

I've searched HP support threads, found other users with same issue, I ran a powershell command:

wmic /namespace:\\root\wmi path MS_SystemInformation

It gives me the same product model as the what's on my product box. Product box shows:

OMEN by HP Gaming Laptop

16-wf0083dx

HP P/N:  A7QR7UA#ABA

I'm writing this message from the laptop, I bought a wireless USB adapter since the wireless driver didn't work, everything else works EXCEPT the audio.

Now, I plugged in a USB sound bar, that works, plugged headphones into the sound bar, that works, but there is a buzzing sound because it is USB powered, etc. -- I know I can probably buy a USB output for audio but I'd rather not, so is there an audio driver HP so I can use my onboard audio? Is there something for HP Omens for Windows 10 Pro I can, should try?

Thank you in advance. 🙂

[Raj_05]

Hi @pc-forever,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

It seems the issue arises from missing or incompatible drivers for the onboard audio after downgrading to Windows 10 Pro. Here’s a step-by-step guide to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:

Identify the Audio Hardware

Run this command in PowerShell to determine the audio hardware specifics:

Get-PnpDevice -Class Sound

Look for the audio device manufacturer and model in the output. Common manufacturers for HP Omen include Realtek, Bang & Olufsen, or Intel.

Download and Install Windows 10 Drivers

• HP Support Website:
  1. Go to the HP Drivers & Software Page.
  2. Enter your product number: 16-wf0083dx or A7QR7UA#ABA.
  3. Download audio drivers for Windows 10 if available. If not listed, proceed with a manual driver installation.
• Realtek or Intel Direct Drivers:
  • If Realtek audio hardware: Download the Universal Audio Driver.
  • If Intel Smart Sound: Visit Intel's Driver & Support Page and use their "Driver & Support Assistant."

Update or Roll Back the Driver

1. Open Device Manager:
   • Right-click the Start menu and select Device Manager.
2. Locate Sound, Video, and Game Controllers.
3. Right-click the onboard audio device (likely Realtek or High Definition Audio) and:
   • Update Driver: Search automatically for updated drivers.
   • If that fails, select Browse My Computer for Drivers, then point to the driver package you downloaded.
4. If the issue persists, Roll Back Driver to the previous version if the option is available.

Enable Legacy Audio Settings

Windows 10 may disable certain legacy settings by default:

1. Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select Sounds.
2. Go to the Playback tab, right-click your default device, and choose Properties.
3. Under the Advanced tab:
   • Set the audio format to 16-bit, 44100 Hz (CD Quality).
4. Check the Enhancements tab:
   • Disable all enhancements if applicable.

BIOS Update

Ensure your BIOS is up to date, as it might include compatibility improvements:

1. Visit the HP Support Page.
2. Search for your laptop model and download the latest BIOS for Windows 10.

Test Audio Hardware in a Live Environment

To rule out hardware failure:

• Boot the system using a Linux Live USB (like Ubuntu or Fedora).
• Test the onboard audio. If it works under Linux, the issue is software-based.

[Raj_05]

Use HP Recovery Software

If none of the above works, you can attempt to recover the original driver:

• Use the HP Recovery Manager to reinstall drivers specific to your device:
  1. Restart the laptop and repeatedly press F11 to enter recovery mode.
  2. Look for an option to reinstall drivers or software.

Fallback: USB Audio Adapter

If no driver resolves the onboard audio issue, a USB-to-3.5mm adapter can provide a stable solution without buzzing (ensure it's a quality, shielded device).

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4

HP Support