Sizzle and crackle on audio playback

[Neilpzz]

Trying to help a friend with their laptop sound, this has been ongoing for some months.

The laptop SKU is 6QE05EA#ABU running Windows 10 version 21H2 build 19044. When playing any sound via YouTube or mp3 audio the sound has a background crackle/sizzle that gets worse as the playback continues. (the same from internal speakers and headphones, sometimes better after a restart but soon returns)

We have installed the latest Realtek driver available from the HP website and updated the bios to the latest available. Trying to install the latest driver again (6.0.9054.1 Rev.C) now results in a message that the driver is not compatible with Windows 10 build 19044.

Using Firefox or Microsoft Edge browser gives the same result.

This makes listening to audio playback impossible and the laptop unusable.

[ub6424]

Hello Neilpzz,

this indicates that the speakers are defective. This cannot be solved by software updates.
Does the device still have warranty ?

Please report your results.

best regards

---

Dear Community Member, please click the YES button on "Was this reply helpful?" to say Thanks and

make it easier for other people to find this type of solution by marking the reply 'Accept as Solution'.

Do this on the post I wrote that helped solve it.

Thank you very much 

[Neilpzz]

As I stated this happens with internal speakers and headphones. How would that make the speakers defective?

[ub6424]

Hello Neilpzz,

you wrote:

>background crackle/sizzle that gets worse as the playback continues.

This is not normal and may indicate defective speakers.

Speaker body damaged, cable problems, interference, etc....

Please report your results.

best regards

---

Dear Community Member, please click the YES button on "Was this reply helpful?" to say Thanks and

make it easier for other people to find this type of solution by marking the reply 'Accept as Solution'.

Do this on the post I wrote that helped solve it.

Thank you very much 

[Neilpzz]

Switching to the Microsoft basic sound driver does not reproduce the problem. That driver does not give good sound quality.

[ub6424]

Hello Neilpzz,

please go here, take time and try step by step ...

https://support.hp.com/us-en/topic/audio

Contact the manufacturer HP as it is also described in the article...

Please report your results.

best regards

---

Dear Community Member, please click the YES button on "Was this reply helpful?" to say Thanks and

make it easier for other people to find this type of solution by marking the reply 'Accept as Solution'.

Do this on the post I wrote that helped solve it.

Thank you very much 

[Neilpzz]

I don't see anything useful on the link only things to try for "no sound".

[ub6424]

Hello @Neilpzz 

See  the official microsoft guide:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/fix-sound-or-audio-problems-in-windows-73025246-b61c-40f...

Focus on sections:

6. Fix your audio driver
8. Turn off audio enhancements

Please report your results.

best regards

---

Dear Community Member, please click the YES button on "Was this reply helpful?" to say Thanks and

make it easier for other people to find this type of solution by marking the reply 'Accept as Solution'.

Do this on the post I wrote that helped solve it.

Thank you very much