static/hissing sound when using microphone

[vdn91]

Hi everyone,

I recently purchased the HP Notebook - 14-dk0599sa, windows 10, 64 bit, which was recently upgraded to build 1909. What happened (not sure if it was the update) is that when I talk on skype or voice record something with the computer's internal microphone, there is a horrible hissing/static sound. I've tried everything (resetted windows, played around with the microphone's settings, removed the audio effects, updated the software from realtek, tried troubleshooting, checked for faulty hardware) but the issue is still there. 

HP's audio updates for this model are stuck in build 1903 and cannot be installed.

Any help is more than welcome!  If it's not sorted out, I will have to return it.

[Echo_Lake]

@vdn91
Thank you for posting on the HP Support Community.

Don't worry as I'll be glad to help,  I have a few troubleshooting steps we could try to fix the issue:  

Firstly, perform Windows Update and HP Support Assistant: ( do not skip any troubleshooting steps if you feel steps are repeating ) 

To check for updates now, select the Start button, and then go to Settings  > Update & security  > Windows Update, and select Check for updates.

Install updates from HP Support Assistant: Go to Download HP Support Assistant to install the tool.

1. To open the HP Support Assistant, double-click the HP Support Assistant icon .
2. Click My devices in the top menu, and then click Updates in the My PC or My notebook pane.
3. Click Check for updates and messages to scan for new updates.
4. Review the list of updates. Updates with a yellow information icon are recommended. Updates with a blue information icon are optional.
5. Click the update name for a description, version number, and file size.
6. Select the box next to any updates you want to install, and then click Download and install.

Use the troubleshooting tool in Windows:

The audio troubleshooting tool in Windows can automatically fix common audio recording and audio playback problems with your computer. Run the troubleshooting tool using the following steps:

• In Windows, type find and fix audio into Search, or right-click the speaker icon  in the taskbar and select Troubleshoot sound problems.
• Select Find and fix audio playback problems or Find and fix audio recording problems from the Search results.
• Click Next.
• Select the device you want to troubleshoot and click Next.
• Wait while the troubleshooter detects problems and makes changes (or prompts you to make changes).
• When the troubleshooter is done, the Troubleshooting has completed page is displayed, listing any problems found and what changes were made to the computer.
• Click Close.
• If a recommended action is displayed, select Apply this fix.

Updating the audio driver using Device Manager:

Make sure the audio device is enabled and then update the audio driver using Device Manager as follows:

1. In Windows, search for and open Device Manager.
2. Double-click Sound, video and game controllers.
3. If a sound device is listed with a down arrow, the device is disabled. Right-click the sound device name and select Enable to re-enable the device.
4. With the sound device enabled, right-click the sound device and select Update Driver Software.
5. Click Search automatically for updated driver software.
6. Windows checks for and installs any updated drivers found. The window displays whether the computer already has the latest available driver or if Windows was able to successfully update the audio driver.
7. If a window opens asking you to restart the computer, restart the computer.
8. Test for sound. If the audio problem persists after updating the driver, continue to the next step.

If you completed these steps and the latest driver was already installed, use the following steps to uninstall and then reinstall the driver:

1. In Windows, search for and open Device Manager.
2. Double-click Sound, video and game controllers.
3. Right-click the sound device and select Uninstall.
4. Restart the computer to reinstall the driver.
5. Test for sound. If the audio problem persists after reinstalling the driver, continue to the next step.

BIOS Update: Follow steps from the link: https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c00042629

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

[vdn91]

Thank you so much for your reply! Unfortunately none of these worked. I'm quite experienced with computers and tried everything. No updates were left, I re-installed the microphone etc, updated all drivers, nothing.

Finally I did solve the issue. Here is what worked:

Device manager -> sound/video/game controllers -> [selected Realtek Audio] -> Update drivers -> Browse computer -> Let me pick.

When I selected the Let me pick option, I selected the generic option (was the first for me). And it was all fixed. No hardware issues, it was faulty software. Also HP did not offer audio updates for Build 1909 (the current ones are the 1903 ones and won't load in the new build. 

HP should update the available drivers offered, it is unacceptable that people have to go through testing everything because of outdated drivers. 

Many others have this issue, so please place this post with the solution on top of the forum so that people can see how to try and solve it. 

Best,

Evangelos 

[Echo_Lake]

@vdn91

Thank you for posting back. 

I am glad to know that you managed to resolve the issue. Please reach out again for any further assistance.

Have a nice day ahead.