Precision 7550, buzzing, popping sounds over the audio jack output

I've observed this issue also on Ubuntu based Linuxes (Ubuntu 20.10 and Pop-OS 20.10). It appears like constant buzzing/popping sound, which doesn't stop until you play something, then it appears again.

I was able to fix it by disabling the audio suspend feature on Linux. Particularly, I commented the line in file /etc/pulse/default.pa

# load-module module-suspend-on-idle

And after restart, the sound on Linux works normally. However, some buzzing still happens between the start of the computer until Linux fully boot and run.

So, it seems the issue is not just in the Windows driver, but in the chip/firmware controlling the audio jack output. Who knows, maybe it's an issue of the Realtek ALC3281 audio chip used in this notebook.

But note that I run Windows and Linux on several computers and the Dell 7550 is the only one having this sound issue on my stereo audio system.

UPDATE: I already tried 3 different audio amplifiers connected to the audio jack and the popping sounds happen with all of them. So, the fault is not on my end of audio jack, but in some "feature" of Dell/Realtek audio card, which probably turns off the audio jack and thus incurs the popping sounds like when you touch a bare audio jack by hand.

Eventually, I got one amplifier with USB DAC input and I'm going to use it now, it works perfectly with both Windows/Linux and I won't need to rely on the awful Dell/Realtek audio card drivers anymore.

So, my recommendation is, if you want to connect an audio system to your Dell notebook, get either external USB sound card or an amplifier which already incorporates an USB DAC. The audio jack output of this Dell notebook is really useless.

rolling back to this driver was the winner...recent update I would get a "pop" before any new sound, for example an incoming google chat message would get a fuzzy "pop" then the "doink"...rolling back the driver, no fuzzy "pop"

 Had this problem with my 7740 and this helped. Thanks!

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@Michal Dvorak wrote:

Finally I was able to fix the buzzing sound issue by installing an older driver for 7540 (note that's for the previous Dell model, not even for 7550).

Particularly, it's Realtek 6.0.8838.1 from 12.11.2019.

Have a brand new Precision 7560 using an external USB to Audio connecter and am also experiencing this issue.

Thank you but unfortunately, I don't have this driver on my system. Earliest is 6.0.9172 (5/18/21). I'm returning my Precision 7760 (the 2nd one - both had the same issue) to Dell. Speakers less important than incessant popping noise, which I'm concerned will damage my laptop over time.

Yeah, the audio jack output on these Dell Precisions is really awful (didn't have such problem with any of my previous desktop or laptop computers). AFAIK the only solution to get normal (non-popping) sound is to connect speakers via USB, which means to get either USB DAC or an audio amplifier which has USB input.

Also experience this when using Headphones from the Audio Jack on the computer.

Thank you for the update.

Can you confirm if all system drivers are updated including the audio drivers?

Hi,

Here is my experience to this extra pop sound.

1) Uninstall latest Realtek Audio Driver

2) Restart the PC

3) Install previous Realtek Audio Driver version 6.0.9098.1, A05

If the sound is now good use the current setup.

If you "must" have the latest version 6.0.9175.1, A07 then install it again and hope the best.

If you still heard the pop install totally something else after latest Dell package.

https://github.com/AlanFinotty/AAFDCHDriverMod/releases

The link above is not recommended for beginners.

Have you tested with and without Dell Optimizer?

Have you read the Important information from Realtek driver page?

This audio driver requires the Dell Optimizer application to be installed to have full functionality. Dell Optimizer is a separate application that can be downloaded and installed from www.dell.com/support/home under the Drivers and Downloads Application category.

I must say that I am quite skeptical to all extra software made by hardware vendors. Sometimes they bring more problems than solve.

Today I run Dell 7550 and DAC with Genelec speakers at home. I managed to get rid of extra sound effects when I used audio jack but nothing beats a DAC.

you're not alone! Here's a few others (there are more). And from what I can tell, Dell's answer is to come out with new model numbers. Sigh.

https://www.dell.com/community/Laptops-General-Read-Only/Buzzing-Grinding-Popping-Stuttering-noise-coming-from-speakers/m-p/3787796

https://www.dell.com/community/Precision-Mobile-Workstations/Precision-7760-popping-and-buzzing-noise/m-p/8107016

https://www.dell.com/community/Laptops-General-Read-Only/Dell-Inspiron-1525-audio-clicks-pops-hisses-and-buzzes/m-p/3489047

https://www.dell.com/community/Laptops-General-Read-Only/Loud-Buzzing-from-External-Speakers/m-p/5131981

I'm late to the party here, also have had the same issues forever. While i didn't bother to deal with the driver, for the longest time i realised that you can keep the driver 'busy', and thus not crackle/pop turning the jack on/off (not what's actually happening but you all understand). It doesn't even have to play anything.

For me i go to a random website that plays white noise (not video, just a background anything), and just mute that tab. That seems to fool the device that sound is always coming out and thus keeping it quiet.