Static/Clicking sound coming from Dell Inspiron 15 7569

Yep, it goes away then comes back.  Did you try calling support? I've been meaning to but haven't gotten around to it.  I've read that some XPS systems had similar issues and they had to get the jack replaced on the motherboard...I'm hoping it's a faulty Dell Realtek diver as I'm getting attached to the laptop.  Also, are you having trackpad bounce issues while two-finger scrolling?

J

I have the same laptop and same problem. Loads of static when nothing is playing. Pops when something starts playing and the static then goes away.

Just got it 2 days ago.

Support assist thorough test passes all tests. All drivers are up to date.

Have not called support.

Only issue I have with the trackpad is sometimes it thinks I'm trying to select text when I'm not.

I agree that it seems the jack needs to be replaced to fix the problem. Doesn't seem to be software, more like a grounding issue. When I take my hands of the laptop, the humming changes slightly.

The glare on the screen is also killing me. 

Probably going to have to return this thing. Which is unfortunate because everything else I like is $1,400+.

Good luck, keep me posted if you get anywhere.

Hi there,

I don't seem to have "High Definition Audio" available on the list:

I'm hoping it's a faulty Dell Realtek diver

Hello. To test the driver, switch between the Realtek audio driver and the Windows native audio driver.

1. Open the Device Manager (find it in the Control Panel, or type devmgmt.msc into the search box).
2. Expand the "Sound, video & game controllers" and right click on "Realtek High Definition Audio".
3. Select to "Update Driver Software".
4. Click on "Browse my computer for driver software".
5. Click "Let me pick from a list of drivers on my computer".
6. Put a check in the box "Show compatible hardware" if not already checked.
7. In the list of devices, click "High Definition Audio" (the native driver).
8. Click "Next".
9. On the Update Driver Warning box, click "Yes" (install the driver).
10. Restart the laptop if prompted. If not prompted, sometimes you have to restart, sometimes not.
[To get back to the Realtek driver, do it again but reverse the names in steps 2 and 7.]

If you only have the symptoms with one of the drivers, then the other is at fault. If you have the same symptoms with both audio drivers, then it is very probably not a driver issue.

I just looked up the Inspiron 7569 and see that it is a 2 in 1 model. The instructions don't work with those. I should have checked last night.

If you still want to test the driver this might work, don't know for sure on the 2 in 1:

1. Open the Device Manager.
2. Expand the "Sound, Video & Game Controllers" section.
3. Right click on "Realtek High Definition Audio".
4. Click "uninstall."
5. Put a check mark in the option to delete the driver software, and then ok.
6. Restart the laptop. Because you removed the Realtek driver files, Windows will install its native audio driver, named "High Definition Audio Device".
7. Go back to the Device Manager and look for "High Definition Audio Device". If you see "Realtek High Definition Audio" again, that means that there was another version of the Realtek driver on your hard drive, and Windows found and installed it. So  keep uninstalling & restarting until Realtek no longer appears under Sound...Controllers and "High Definition Audio Device" appears in its place.

If you do this, then to reinstall the Realtek driver you have to download a fresh copy.

I couldn't get the MS HD audio to work. the most recent driver on dell and realtek has the same issue. I'm returning it. Feel bad for people that don't test external speakers before the return period is over.

9:49:12 AM		Jesse	Initial Question/Comment: My headphone jack has a lot of static and popping. Already updated latest drivers and bios. Any other advice?
9:49:18 AM		System	You are now being connected to an agent. Thank you for using Dell Chat
9:49:18 AM		System	Connected with Payal_Awachare
9:49:23 AM		Payal_Awachare	Thank you for contacting Dell Basic Warranty Support. My name is Payal.
9:49:58 AM		Payal_Awachare	Hello Jesse, how are you today?
9:50:04 AM		Jesse	good. you?
9:50:28 AM		Payal_Awachare	I am also good.
9:50:33 AM		Payal_Awachare	Jesse, Dell’s basic warranty covers any & all hardware failures inside your system alongside limited installation & configuration of factory installed software. Issues beyond that falls outside the scope of your basic warranty. I’ll check for the best option that is available to help resolve your problem
9:51:33 AM		Payal_Awachare	Can you confirm the system that you would like to have support with is a INSP 7569 with Service Tag: Service Tag  ?
9:51:46 AM		Jesse	correct
9:52:03 AM
9:52:20 AM		Jesse	yes
9:52:25 AM		Jesse	eastern
9:52:53 AM		Payal_Awachare	Thank you for the confirmation and I'll be more than happy to help you with that issue. Before we proceed, I will ask questions that will help update your record.
9:53:03 AM		Payal_Awachare	Thank you for the confirmation. To give you an update, you still have an active Hardware Warranty contract that will expire on October 12, 2017.
9:53:58 AM		Payal_Awachare	Jesse, can you please elaborate on the issue that you are experiencing?
9:54:12 AM		Jesse	http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3517/p/19988430/20936898/
9:55:01 AM		Jesse	I have speakers plugged into the headphone jack. Random static noise and pops
9:55:22 AM		Jesse	no issues with my other devices. this laptop is 3 days old
9:55:53 AM		Payal_Awachare	I understand, please allow me few minutes to look into this.
9:56:20 AM		Jesse	another user on the forums said it likely is a hardware issue with the headphone jack
9:59:13 AM		Payal_Awachare	Jesse, does the same issue persist if you plug in a headphone in the same jack?
9:59:39 AM		Jesse	not sure
10:00:28 AM		Payal_Awachare	Can you please check that for me, so that we might be more clear about what the issue lies in.
10:00:53 AM		Payal_Awachare	Also, have you tried plugging in a different known good speaker?
10:01:39 AM		Jesse	i'm trying headphones now.
10:01:50 AM		Payal_Awachare	Okay.
10:02:19 AM		Jesse	the speakers are known good. no issues for 5 years. started having an issue when i got this laptop. tried my old laptop again. no issues
10:03:48 AM		Payal_Awachare	Okay, and what about the haedphones?
10:03:56 AM		Jesse	no issues thus far
10:05:13 AM		Payal_Awachare	So no issues with the headphones plugged in.
10:05:18 AM		Jesse	so far
10:05:28 AM		Payal_Awachare	Okay.
10:05:48 AM		Payal_Awachare	Can you please try connecting a different speaker?
10:06:02 AM		Jesse	ok
10:06:38 AM		Payal_Awachare	Thank you for your coordination.
10:10:19 AM		Jesse	same problem with different speakers
10:12:03 AM		Payal_Awachare	Okay. Let me check with my resources what best can be done on this issue, please allow me 3-4 minutes.
10:12:12 AM		Jesse	ok
10:13:53 AM		Payal_Awachare	Jesse have you updated the drivers form dell website?
10:14:07 AM		Jesse	yes. also tried on realtek
10:14:13 AM		Jesse	same problem with both
10:14:25 AM		Jesse	tried using the MS HD audio, that didn't work at all
10:14:38 AM		Payal_Awachare	Okay. Give me a moment.
10:17:38 AM		Payal_Awachare	Jesse even the system internal driver has the same issue right?
10:17:57 AM		Jesse	the only one that works is the realtek
10:19:03 AM		Payal_Awachare	And you have also tried to update the Realtek Driver?
10:19:16 AM		Jesse	yes
10:19:51 AM		Jesse	using 6.0.1.7838
10:20:03 AM		Payal_Awachare	This issue is with the external drivers connected right?
10:20:23 AM		Payal_Awachare	Right, that is the correct version.
10:20:58 AM		Payal_Awachare	I mean external speakers connected. Is that right?
10:21:01 AM		Jesse	there are only two drivers. intel display and realtek
10:21:07 AM		Jesse	correct, so far.
10:21:33 AM		Jesse	guessing it is a grounding issues
10:21:48 AM		Payal_Awachare	And what if you don't connect the speakers and using the internal speakers?
10:22:06 AM		Jesse	internal speakers are fine
10:23:08 AM		Payal_Awachare	Were the external speakers purchased with the system?
10:23:24 AM		Jesse	no
10:23:27 AM		Jesse	5 years old
10:23:41 AM		Jesse	the other system i tried is 1 year old
10:23:47 AM		Jesse	both had horrible statick
10:24:48 AM		Payal_Awachare	Okay. Let me check what best can be done.
10:27:58 AM		Payal_Awachare	Jesse as you have mentioned that the internal speakers work fine and also the headphones work fine with the same headphone jack being used.
10:28:58 AM		Payal_Awachare	And also the drivers are up to date, I think the issue lies with the external speakers.
10:30:06 AM		Jesse	nope, disagree. for reference, I've been in IT for 20 years, worked for Dell for 5 as a solutions engineer and have 5 other devices that have no issues with any external speakers.
10:30:16 AM		Jesse	this laptop is zero for two.
10:30:31 AM		Jesse	if you can't fix it, I'll return it. but would prefer to keep it.
10:31:33 AM		Payal_Awachare	Okay. In that case I request you to please send the laptop to repair center for further diagnostics.
10:32:38 AM		Payal_Awachare	From what you have done and the information you gave me, there are components inside the system that are non-functional and needs to be replaced. Since your system has a Return to Dell Repair Center warranty, we will need to send in the system to one of our repair center facilities for repairs and the turn-around time for the repair process would be 7-10 business days, Would you like me to go ahead and book this for you?
10:32:55 AM		Jesse	i only have 12 days left to return it.
10:33:09 AM		Jesse	so that won't work.
10:33:28 AM		Jesse	so you know, i bought it at best buy refurbished. guessing they'll sell it again.
10:33:38 AM		Jesse	thanks for your help.
10:36:13 AM		Payal_Awachare	If you want I can arrange a Mail in service for you, that might fix the issue.

Session ID: 76042172  

I'm returning it.

Smart move to not send it in for repair and lose your return option.

Are the speakers you plug into the jack powered by AC current? If so, try running the laptop on batteries and see if problem stops. Seems to be a grounding issue.

Unplugging it stopped the buzzing for a moment and would come right back. Taking hands on and off the laptop also changed the buzzing.

Some sort of ground loop issue. Unfortunately not something I'm willing to wait on being fixed.

I bought it refurb at best buy. Feel sorry for the next person to buy it there.

Yea, uninstalling the driver doesn't seem to help.  But I just noticed that if I have my Bose headphones connected, the static is gone.  It only comes through if I use cheapo earbuds that came with my Samsung phone...Odd. 

Thanks Jimco for the instructions.  I'm gonna try one more thing.  Apparently people with issues with Realtek driver (albeit on different branded machines) tried updating from Windows build 1511 (which I currently have)  to 1607 had some success resolving the issue.  But it's beginning to sound more and more like a hardware issue.  I'll report back later....

JesseG - you've posted some personal info on your chat cap.

thanks, fixed.

Ok, I think the issue is resolved (for now).  So I don't know if updating to build 1607 helped or not but here's what I did.

After updating to Windows build 1607:

Similar to Jimco's suggestion but slightly different:

1. run devmgmt.msc

2. Right click on Realtek audio driver under Sound, video and game controller.

3. Click update driver software.

4. Select Browse my computer for driver software.

5. Click let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer.

6. Uncheck the box above the list - this will give you the Manufacturer list.

7. Select Microsoft.

8. Select the 2nd High Definition Audio Device.

9. Click next.

10. Restart.

Also, I've uninstall Realtek HD audio driver from Control Panel.

So far no static from the earbuds...

Hope this helps JeseeG.

I'm having the same exact problem as you guys, except I'm already past my return date with Best Buy. 

I've tried every single possible fix on the internet but I'm having no luck.

If this is truly a hardware issue then I'm very disappointed to have to send in a 3 week old laptop for repair.

For the click on audio start, try disabling all of the MAXX audio settings. 

Yep, same here.  Completely getting rid of Realtek driver significantly improved the sound quality from the earphone jack.  I get the occasional click when an audio application activates but much better than out of the box when the static and the buzzing was constant.  So I'm hoping it's a software issue and Dell can find a fix (wistful thinking I know....).   Good luck,