hp pavilion crackling sound problem

[ASSASSINFK]

This problem has been going on for 5 or 6 months. There is a crackling sound coming from the speaker. The drivers are up to date. I even installed the old drivers, it still didn't fix it, I cleaned the dust and it still persists. This ridiculous thing happened after I applied thermal paste to the processor. I don't know what it has to do with it. 

[ASSASSINFK]

I'm about to break my laptop

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @ASSASSINFK,

Welcome to the HP Support Community! 

I hear you (literally) on this one! A persistent crackling sound from the speakers can be incredibly frustrating, especially after months of troubleshooting. Since you've already tried updating and rolling back the drivers, as well as cleaning out dust, let's dive deeper and see what’s really going on.

Check for Loose Connections

• If the crackling started after applying thermal paste, a cable might be loose inside.
• Open the laptop (if you're comfortable) and check the speaker cables & audio jack connections.

Adjust Audio Settings

• Right-click the speaker icon → Sounds → Playback tab.
• Select your speaker → Click Properties → Go to the Advanced tab.
• Under Default Format, lower the sample rate (e.g., 24-bit, 44100 Hz).
• Disable Audio Enhancements → Click Apply → Restart.

Update or Roll Back Audio Drivers

• Go to Device Manager → Expand Sound, video, and game controllers.
• Right-click on your audio driver (Realtek/Intel) → Uninstall device

Change Power Management Settings

• Go to Device Manager → Right-click your audio driver → Properties.
• In the Power Management tab, uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power."

Try an External Speaker or Headphones

• Plug in headphones or external speakers and check if the crackling still happens.
• If the issue is only with the laptop speakers, it might be a hardware issue.

I know this issue has been driving you up the wall, but don’t worry, we’ll figure this out together. Try these next steps and let me know how it goes. We’re not letting this laptop win! 💪💙

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?"—your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,