Narrator Runs; No Sound whether Booting from HP Recovery Partition or Windows Retail Installation

[Chris138]

I am able to run Narrator whether running  the Windows Retail installation or HP Recovery program with my ENVY x360 15(T)-BP100 series, but when I tried doing so on one of the new SPECTRE x360 15-DF000 series units at Best Buy, while Narrator shows up on the screen, I get no sound.  The unit I tried had BIOS version F.22 loaded on it.  If I perform a generic Microsoft Windows installation, will Microsoft's generic audio driver work with the new SPECTRE x360 DF-000 series?  Could you guys pass this along to product development and engineering in case this could be corrected with a future BIOS update?

[A4Apollo]

Hi! @Chris138,

Please share the product number of the PC to assist you better.

You need to install the complete audio driver package on the PC to get the audio functioning.

Update the audio drivers using this link. Click Here

You can update other drivers on the PC using HP support assistant.

Refer this article to know more information about using HP support assistant. Click Here

Try the steps recommended below and check if it helps.

1. Open Settings, and click/tap on the Ease of Access icon.

 You can also press the Win+Ctrl+N keys to directly open to Narrator settings.

2. Click/tap on Narrator on the left side. 

3. Under the Personalize Narrator's voice section, select the device your want in the Select where you hear Narrator's voice drop menu.
 

Also, try the steps recommended below.

In Windows 10, press Windows logo key  + Ctrl + Enter on your keyboard. In earlier versions of Windows, you may need to press Windows logo key  + Enter.
On the sign-in screen, select the Ease of access button in the lower-right corner, and turn on the toggle under Narrator.
Go to Settings  > Ease of Access > Narrator, and then turn on the toggle under Use Narrator.

Let me know if this helps!

Have a great day! 🙂

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[Chris138]

I don't have the HP product number of the Best Buy release.  I returned it to Best Buy because its LCD performance wasn't quite up to my expectations.  I do remember the model number.  It was a Spectre x360 DF-0013DX .  So knowing how great OLED panels are, I customized the OLED refresh version, product number 7FQ49AV, at HP's online store four days ago when its base configuration was $1,149.99, before it shot up to $1,829.99.  But since we're talking about the Spectre x360 15-DF0000 series, except for the panels, I would assume the rest of the hardware is identical to the Best Buy LCD unit I returned.  This is the first laptop I've used which does not seem to support the generic Microsoft High Definition Audio Device driver, making it impossible for me to run Narrator when booting from either the HP recovery partition or a Windows 10 installation flash drive.  Once I evaluate the laptop and am sure I will be keeping it, I will be performing a clean installation of Windows 10 1903 and installing the latest Intel Graphics driver, NVIDIA graphics driver, and I guess in this case, the HP audio driver.  Since I have problems reading print, unlike in the past, I will need a family member of mine to help me with the installation until I install the HP audio driver.  I guess the only options would be for HP to correct this with a future BIOS update, or else, Microsoft update their generic audio driver in a future release of Windows 10.

[Chris138]

I called Microsoft's disability answer desk , mentioned my issue was concerning the HP SPECTRE x360 15-DF0000 series, and asked them to consider updating their generic audio driver in their next release of Windows 10, whether 1909, or an extra release between 1903 and 1909 so visually impaired consumers could run the Windows 10 installer independantly.  But while Microsoft is developing the next release for Windows 10, could HP release a BIOS update which would work with the current Microsoft generic audio driver so visually impaired consumers could use Narrator when booting from the recovery partition or booting from a flash drive for Windows 10 1903?  Again, this is for the SPECTRE x360 15-DF0000 series.

[A4Apollo · Accepted solution]

Hi! @Chris138,

Thanks for your quick response.

And thanks for suggesting the idea. I would certainly update it to the relevant team, so they can work towards it.

Also, if you have any concerns in future related to any HP products, please write back to us.

We will try our best to help you out.

Take Care!

Have a blessed day ahead!