Crackling noise in audio on both speakers and headphones

Hi dmang24,

I appreciate for the drivers update. I suggest that you run diagnostics on hardware components, since both speaker and headphones are having crackling noise even after drivers update.

To run diagnostics restart the system and at the Dell logo tap the F12 key every two seconds. This will start the One-time boot menu. Using arrow keys select ‘Diagnostics’ and hit enter. This will run diagnostics on the hardware components of the system which may take around 5 minutes. Please reply to this post in case of any error message.

You may also go through this link for assistance.

http://dell.to/OUGnqT

Please reply with the status to assist you further.

Oh yeah, and also when I was trying to figure out what was wrong I did a diagnostic test from the Dell splash screen and it said that nothing was wrong. I also did it again and the same thing happened.

Also, the link you posted " does not link to a valid article.

Thanks for the quick response, but do you have any other ideas for how to diagnose or help me fix this problem?

I feel like this is a software problem but I wanted to hear professional opinions to see if it actually is.

Hard to form an opinion without knowing the name of your model and operating system but usually noise problems are software related. See the Choppy/Skipping Audio FAQ for solutions that worked for other Dell laptop owners.

As far as running diagnostics, I have never heard of one that could find the source of a noise problem, but one that can distinguish between a software or hardware issue is the Dell Diagnostics audio tests. Those tests are self contained in a dedicated operating system. The flaw in the other tests is that they run in Windows and use too much of the software in the computer to be sure of accurate results. To use Dell Diagnostics audio tests for this, you run the tests and while the audio of the tests is playing if you hear the crackling then it is in the hardware. If no crackle in the tests then it is caused by software that runs in Windows. Note that not all models have the Dell Diagnostics tests.

Hi dmang24,

Thank you for  the update about the diagnostics.

Please click on the link below to check the warranty of the system. In case the system is under warranty, send me a private message with the system service tag to assist you further.  Please click on my name and click Start Conversation to send me a private message.

http://dell.to/Mbe3zg

Please contact the Out of warranty department If the system is not under warranty,  the number is 800-288-4410 if you are in US region, for UK region the number is 844-338-1000 and for Canada the number is 1-800-847-4096 .  If you belong to a different region, let me know the region you belong to give you the contact information.

So I looked at that Choppy/Skipping Audio FAQ but sadly none of those solutions worked for me.

Also, when I follow the directions of the Dell Diagnostics audio tests, I am unable to go farther than the PSA test. It might be due to the faulty hard drive that came with this computer that I ended up getting replaced while under warranty, so I might not be able to run Dell Diagnostics. Also, since I am currently away from home at college I don't have a Drivers and Utilities (Resource) CD to run it manually.

And also, this computer is no longer under warranty because it expired 2 months ago, sadly.

It might be due to the faulty hard drive that came with this computer that I ended up getting replaced while under warranty, so I might not be able to run Dell Diagnostics.

Dell Diagnostics is not on replacement hard drives.

I am unable to go farther than the PSA test.

The link that Sujatha K gave you that you said was to an invalid article was to instructions to run the PSA tests, so apparently that was what he wanted you to do. The kind of hardware issues that might cause noise but have no other symptoms would be something like faulty shielding that would not show up on the PSA tests or any other tests that I know of. Another set of tests you can run if you want to is the Dell PC Diagnostics.

The Dell Diagnostics audio tests also would not find a fault like poor shielding, but if the noise were heard during the tests then you would know that the noise is in the hardware and not software. Another way to do the same thing is to restore the laptop to the original factory configuration using Dell's Factory Image Restore. If the noise did not exist when the laptop was first turned on then it will not exist after the restoration if the noise was caused by software, because after restoration the laptop will be exactly as it was when first out of the box. If on the other hand the noise persists after restoration, and if it did not exist when the laptop was new, then a hardware fault is causing the noise. However you cannot perform a Factory Image Restore with a replacement hard drive. If you used Dell DataSafe Local Backup to create the system recovery media when the laptop was new that would do the same thing. If neither of those methods is available then one could re-install Windows from installation discs, however the results would be inconclusive because the laptop's configuration would be way altered from its factory configuration.

Still don't know the model name and operating system of your laptop.

Does anybody know why both the online Dell PC Diagnostics test for the Sound card and the offline one doesn't work and could help me out? I described the issue that comes up above.

The only reason I can think of for the PC Diagnostics to fail to run audio is not having the driver installed, but you said earlier that you have updated the driver so that is not it. Unlike Dell Diagnostics audio tests, PC Diagnostics is not self contained and requires the audio driver. I don't know of another reason the test won't run.

unplug it from the mains mate, usually helps, had this problem loads with sound equipment, try getting a new power cable that only just runs enough power to your laptop to run, its a powersurge issue, im a music producer and dj and have encountered this a lot, let me know if this is any help in solving your problem if at all

unplug it from the mains mate,

Hello. This thread is 1.5 yrs old so hopefully the problem has been resolved, but that is a good test that I did not think of.

If unplugging from the power adapter fixes the noise then usually the adapter needs to be replaced. Conversely, if no noise while on adapter but noises when on battery power, then the power saving settings need to be moved toward performance rather than extending the battery charge.

this problem loads with sound equipment

In old Dell laptop, years ago, Dell supplied them with power adapters that would caused a huge amount of noise when connected to other sound equipment with copper cables, if both the computer and the other equipment had a ground (earth) prong. Dell fixed that some years ago but it still can happen on newer models if the adapter goes bad.

i also have the same problem on my dell laptop running on windows 8.1. however i cannot distiguish dell support assist with the other dell programs as it is not listed as such. if under another name please advise.

i cannot distiguish dell support assist

Hello. Go into Control Panel>Programs & Features and look for Dell SupportAssist and Dell Support Agent and remove both. If they are not there then you do not have them.

If you need more help please give the full model name of your laptop.

 I realize this is an old thread, however, if someone else runs into this hindrance they may be able to fix their laptop. It is as simple is reverting your sound card to a previous version! I spent months without being able to "use" my speakers or any sound whatsoever. But this worked perfect. My laptop is back to normal!