I just received a brand new Dell Inspiron 15 today, but whenever I plug in my headphones and try to play music or videos I can hear an annoying, faint hissing sounds that seems like static in the background.I've tried using different headphones, but the same things keeps happening. It doesn't make any sense to me as I literally opened this laptop up today and there's already an issue.The issue isn't constant as the noise cuts out after a short while when no audio is playing.What's causing this to happen?Is there something I can do to fix this? Hi Nick,I would like to ask these questions to assist you in a better way with this issue.1) What is the exact model number of your Dell Inspiron 15 Laptop?2) Does this happen with both the earphones and the external speakers which you connect through the 3.5 mm jack?3) Are you able to hear this noise from the inbuilt laptop speaker?4) Did you install the latest audio driver updates for the computer model from the Dell website and check the status?This could be due to some issues with the audio drivers preinstalled on the computer.
This may sound familiar to you: you’re hearing static and crackling sound coming out from your speakers. Then you switch to your headphones, the crackling noise continues. Such problem could be caused by poor grounding in your building, bad connections or some internal PC problems such as sound card or motherboard issues.
![Static In Headphones Static In Headphones](https://www.drivethelife.com/uploadfiles/20170222/disable-all-sound-effects-to-fix-static-sound-in-headphones.png)
I would suggest you to try the following methods and check if that resolves the issue.Method 1: Run the Playing Audio TroubleshooterThe Playing Audio Troubleshooter is an automated tool which checks for any common issues with the audio devices and its services. It also checks if the audio device on the computer is disabled and provide the detailed report of the audio device status.a) Press “Windows Logo” + “W” keys from the keyboard.b) Type “ Troubleshooting” in the search bar and press “ Enter”.c) In the “ Troubleshooting” window, click on “ View All” on the left pane.d) Click on “ Playing Audio”.e) Click on “ Advanced” and then click on “ Run as Administrator”.f) Click “ Next” and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.Please check the troubleshooting report and let’s know the details. You may also try the suggestions given by the troubleshooter and check if that resolves the issue. If the issue persists, then try updating the sound card drivers on the computer fromthe Dell website and check if that helps.Method 2: Update the Audio DriversStep 1: Check the Windows updates for any latest driver updates.Check in Windows updates if any driver updates are available.
Thank you Rajesh, here are the answers to your questions.1) Strangely, I can't find the product/model number on the laptop. I'm sure it's supposed to be on the underside on a sticker, but my laptop doesn't have any on it.2) Yes, it happens with both and it's also worth noting that the sound of the static doesn't change no matter what the level of volume. As long as it's above 0, then you can hear the same level of static through both headphones and speakers.3) No, you can't hear it from the inbuilt speakers. It can only be heard through whatever is plugged into the jack.4) Yes, I've just double checked to make sure and they are up to date.As for the trouble shooting results. My computer found no issues at all with the sound, but the static still persists.Is it possible that the jack itself is faulty, even though it has been in use for less than 12 hours since I noticed the problem? Hi Nick,Thank you so much for getting back to us with the updates.You may find the make and model of your laptop from then ' System Information' feature of your computer.
To access the ' System Information', you may follow these steps:a) Press 'Windows Logo' + 'R' keys on the keyboard and type ' msinfo32' in the ' Run' command box and press ' ENTER'.b) This will open the ' System Information' window and you should be able to find the laptop manufacturer's name next to'System Manufacturer' and model number next to ' System Model'.As you have mentioned, this issue could also be due to either a faulty audio jack or if something is blocking the connection within the audio jack. This might also happen, if there are some static interference from the other electronic devices or cables nextto or in contact with the audio jack or the earphones wire. However, you may try updating the audio drivers from the manufacturer's website and check if the issue persists. If you are unable to find the drivers, then please get back to us with the make andmodel information of your laptop. We'll be glad to assist you further with this issue. Regards, Rajesh Govind - Microsoft Support Engineer.
Hi Nick,Thank you so much for replying with the relevant information.Now, let’s try uninstalling and reinstalling the Windows 8 compatible audio drivers from the Dell website and check if that resolves the issue. You may follow these steps and let’s know the result.Uninstall and Reinstall the Audio Drivers.Step 1: Uninstall the Audio Device Driversa) Press “Windows Logo” + “X” keys on the keyboard.b) Click on “ Device Manager” from that list.c) Search for the Audio device from the device list, right click on it and then select “ Uninstall”. On the un-installationwindow, if you have an option: “ Delete the driver software for this device” you may select that and then remove the corrupted drivers from the computer.d) Follow the on-screen instructions to complete it and the restart the computer if prompted.After the restart, please open the Device Manager again and then click on the “ Scan for hardware changes” button. Check if Windows 8 detects the Audio device and installs an appropriate driver automatically. If the issue still persists, then try the next step.Step 2: Reinstall the Windows 8 Compatible Audio Driver from the Dell WebsiteYou may please click on the link given below and then download and install theRealtek ALC3223 High-Definition Audio Driver for your computer model by following the instructions given in the website.Hope this resolves the issue. Please get back to us with the results.
Regards, Rajesh Govind - Microsoft Support Engineer. I've uninstalled Realtek High Definition Audio Device, through the Device Manager, and re-installed it with the link you provided, but that didn't seem to do anything and the white noise/static is still noticeable.I also found out that the problem continues when I have a monitor/television hooked up to my laptop via HDMI. The sound can be heard, faintly, but it is definitely there.While going through the Device Manager, I noticed that next to the Realtek High Definition Audio Device, there's another device called 'Bluetooth Audio Device' which has a yellow triangle, as thought there is an issue, on the sound icon next to it. Right clickingand selecting properties, then checking the device status shows:'This device cannot start.
(Code 10)Object Path Component was not a directory object.' I don't suppose this would have anything to do with this problem would it?I'm not entirely sure if head/earphones and headsets/speakers come under the Bluetooth category or not with the ones I'm using not being wireless. Hi Nick,Thank you so much for getting back to us with all the relevant information regarding this issue and I really apologize for the delay in responding to this thread. The Code 10 error is generated for a device in the Device Manager due to one of the followingreasons:.Device Manager can't start the device.One of the drivers that the device needs does not start.Device Manager has insufficient information to recognize the error that is bubbled up by the device driver.Note In this situation, the Code 10 error can be a very generic message that indicates some kind of unspecified driver or device problem.These usually happens when the device driver installed on the computer is incompatible, outdated, corrupted or damaged. This issue can be fixed by just uninstalling and reinstalling the device drivers. So, I would suggest you to perform the same for the“ Bluetooth Audio Device” and check if that helps.You may please follow the same steps as given in the previous post to uninstall the “ Bluetooth Audio Device” and then restart the computer. After the restart, check if Windows 8 detects the device and installs the generic Bluetoothaudio driver by clicking on the “ Scan for hardware changes” button from Device Manager.If reinstalling the driver does not help, then please refer to the article given below and try the steps given in it and which you have not yet tried:Important: This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry.
However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully.
For addedprotection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs.
I just bought a new headset (Steelseries H wireless) and have begun noticing a static/cracking sound in the left earmuff. I can still hear it even with the volume (system and headset) on 0/muted. I have also found something strange, I came back from university (about a 2 hour period) and received no static/cracking sound when I turned the headset on, however after 10 minutes or so of use the static/cracking sound came back.Thinking it was just the headset I decided to try my old one (Turtle Beach X12) but also received the static/cracking sound albeit much more feint.I currently do not have a soundcard.Thanks in advance for any help, much appreciated. That's good to know. Just to rule out PC related issues; Does the static noise increase/decrease as you increase/decrease the volume on your headphones?
If so, a simple fix is to just turn down the volume on your headphones and compensate by increasing the volume on your PC. If not, it can be a short inside the headphone circuitry causing it, unfortunately that means you're shit out of luck and just have to learn to live with it.
The static does decrease when reducing volume on headset but the difference between volume on 1% and 100% is really small. The static does decrease when reducing volume on headset but the difference between volume on 1% and 100% is really small.That's good news, means there's interference that can be removed.
Now we're entering the area where I can only speak from personal experience and not knowledge. Anyway, it might be the microphone causing it. Try to disable/mute the retractable microphone, and pull it out of the headset(Not dismember it, just pull it out of the socket as you would when using it normally).Also, does the static carry over into music/gaming/movies or is it just noticeable when there's no input?edit: Nvm, didn't see you already tried it muted. I'm out of ideas for what might be the cause then. That's good news, means there's interference that can be removed. Now we're entering the area where I can only speak from personal experience and not knowledge.
Anyway, it might be the microphone causing it. Try to disable/mute the retractable microphone, and pull it out of the headset(Not dismember it, just pull it out of the socket as you would when using it normally).Also, does the static carry over into music/gaming/movies or is it just noticeable when there's no input?edit: Nvm, didn't see you already tried it muted. I'm out of ideas for what might be the cause then. Sorry:/Static carries over. Thanks for the help anyway. Right Click your windows speaker icon, Left Click Playback Devices and scroll down to the soundcard and select it and click properties.
![Headphones Headphones](/uploads/1/2/5/6/125602408/237371843.jpg)
Click on the Advanced tab, and change the drop down default format to 44.0khz. If that doesn't work try other formats until it goes away.May not be the issue, but steel series if famous for only working at specific frequencies and not defaulting to the correct one.The default format was already on 16bit, 44.1khz. I tried changing to all of the other frequencies but no luck, the static is still there.
It's interference/signals from other components in your PC leaking through. You can try connecting your headset/transmitter to the front panel and see if that works.Front panels are usually worse for noise than the back panel, since you're stringing a cable all the way through the PC. A DAC would likely solve the problem, data isn't really susceptible to noise so converting it to analogue outside of the noisy computer environment should eliminate the noise. Of course it could just be something really noisy near the computer, so try it somewhere else with the computer before you consider putting down $ on a DAC.Relevant. Problem is narrowed down to the headsets themselves.Try the headsets while at a different location, likely interference in your current location. If it goes away within 20 feet, go back and turn off all devices. If it disappears again, turn devices back on one by one until it comes back.Sorry for the slow reply.
I went about 15m or so away from my current location (that's about the max range) and could still hear the static but a lot more feint (similar to when the transmitter box isn't plugged in).