No 24-bit audio, only 16bit at 48k?

[LukeKaven]

I have a new  OMEN Gaming Laptop 16-ap0053dx (BP1Q1UA).  The audio I find (through studio headphones) is clearly substandard.  When I inspect the RealTek playback options, the only possibility is 16 bit/48kHz.  No other options, and particularly, no 24-bit playback.  [Driver listed is "best available" according to Windows]

I expected any modern computer would allow 24-bit playback.  Is there a fix for this?  Or do I need to return this and buy another computer?

Thanks in advance for any help you might have.

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @LukeKaven 

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

I can hear how disappointing that must feel—especially when you’ve invested in a gaming laptop and expect rich, high-fidelity sound through studio headphones, only to find you’re locked at 16-bit / 48 kHz playback. 

Let’s walk through what’s happening and what you can try before considering a return.

Why you’re seeing only 16-bit / 48 kHz

Many HP OMEN laptops ship with Realtek audio codecs that expose limited playback options in Windows by default.

High-definition audio hardware can support 24-bit, but Windows sometimes only shows 16-bit modes if the wrong driver or audio path is being used (for example, when it’s using Microsoft’s generic HD Audio driver instead of the full Realtek package).

Some models route audio through internal DSPs optimized for gaming headsets, which can cap available bit depth/sample rates.

Steps to try

Confirm the driver source

Go to Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers.

Right-click on your Realtek device → Properties → Driver tab.

If it says High Definition Audio Device (Microsoft), you’re not using the full Realtek driver.

Install the official HP Realtek driver

HP provides the tuned Realtek driver for your exact model:
👉 HP OMEN Gaming Laptop 16-ap0053dx Drivers & Software

Download and install the latest Realtek High Definition Audio Driver. Restart after installation.

Check the “Advanced” playback options again

Right-click the speaker icon → Sound settings → select your headphones → Device properties → Additional device properties → Advanced.

Look for 24-bit formats (often 24-bit / 48 kHz, 96 kHz, or 192 kHz).

Update OMEN Audio Control / OMEN Gaming Hub

Some audio enhancements and higher-resolution playback modes are unlocked through HP’s OMEN Audio Control (part of the Gaming Hub).

Make sure Gaming Hub is up to date from the Microsoft Store.

External DAC (if needed)

If after the driver update you’re still capped, the internal codec may simply not expose 24-bit modes for the headphone jack.

In that case, a compact USB DAC/amp (like AudioQuest DragonFly or FiiO models) will instantly give you true 24-bit / 96–192 kHz playback through your headphones.

Before deciding on a return, I’d strongly suggest step 2 (installing the HP-tuned Realtek driver) since that’s the most common cause of the “stuck at 16-bit” problem.

Would you like me to grab the direct link to the Realtek audio driver installer for your OMEN 16-ap0053dx so you don’t have to dig through the HP support page?

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

[LukeKaven]

I so appreciate your help here.  It was informative regardless of which way I decided to proceed.  As it turns out, I am going to return my HP Omen.  I did attempt to install the newer "Rev A" driver from the HP support site, but Windows would not install it, saying that the existing driver was "the best one."  Having spent so much time on this problem, I decided that there were better options available for the time spent, and decided to go ahead and return my Omen.  But you were a bright spot in this process, and I'm truly grateful for the advice and the information I gained.  It was a good machine overall, and one can't complain about the choice of CPU and GPU.  But the audio was a big sticking point (I was a recording engineer for several years).  And oddly, the WiFi had such limited range that I was unable to work in the room where I had been able to work before.  I hope this post will prove helpful to others for the time you put into it.  I sense I'm not the only one who saw this as a problem.  Wishing you all the best!

Luke

[iiiyx]

I have an HP Omen 17-db1007ns and I am experiencing exactly the same problem. The Realtek audio driver I am using was downloaded directly from my device's official support page, but the available audio format is locked at 16-bit / 48 kHz. No other options are available in Windows sound settings. I am using it mostly with the internal speakers. I cannot say the sound is bad, but having 24-bit / 192 kHz sounds standard to me nowadays, and it is strange that the option is missing on a gaming laptop like this.