XPS 15 9500, speakers crackle, #2

Not at all, I have the same problem and it's driving me insane. I think I'll just return mine, no solution seems to work. Incredibly frustrating, considering how much you pay for these.

I just ordered this laptop... don't make me regret it before it even arrives! I do have an older XPS 15 model.

Is it occurring through the headphone jack? What's the volume level? Does it have Dell or third-party sound add-ins installed? Have you tweaked their settings, or even tried to disable or uninstall them?

Currently I have my speakers plugged into an external HDMI display with good results overall.

Sorry to hear that. I tried a few other things

1) Windows reset

2) installing other audio drivers that are technically compatible

3) Playing around with other sound settings

Nothing fixed it. I wanted to try installing Linux to see if it was totally a Windows issue although couldn't get it to work. I actually noticed that putting my ears to the speakers I could hear hissing during ALL sound being played. I am.in the process of returning mine

I like it too, it's an absolute shame indeed. Not sure, hope it does work out. Hope you find a reliable replacement!

I have found a bunch of Reddit posts with users having the same or similar audio issues. No solutions that I haven't tried. Do. A search via Reddit to see these posts

I hope you have a good experience. I'm sure the are people who have and from reading this forum after a couple of replacements the issues are fixed for some.

I don't know why only some people have the issues. Perhaps there are multiple production lines in different places and some have issues with a parts or the production process.

However it all seems to come down to lack of quality assurance by Dell. For such an expensive laptop, you would expect QA to be a high priority. I still really like the laptop otherwise. Such a shame

It doesn't occur for headphones plugged in or Bluetooth, just the in built speakers. Tried installing older Realtek drivers, resin talking windows with no updates applied, utilising Microsoft sound driver but the sound was quiet and obviously was not properly compatible. Dell replaced the motherboard and speakers and still the same issues.

All the best with yours

I have the same case with me as well. Dell replaced the motherboard and speakers and it did not solve the issue. In addition to that dell support seems to be ignorant and arrogant about the issue. After going back and forth with them on the issue and various unhelpful solutions, they told me that my perception of the machine is different and that my system is working as designed!! @DELL-Cares

It is a disappointment after spending on a laptop that is so expensive and having huge expectations.

@robjs2020 Were you able to find a solution finally?

Unfortunately not. My solution was to return the laptop

Sorry I have no better advice than that. It is clearly a software or hardware fault so I suggest pushing more - they cannot ignore the issue

Hi,

I bought a New Dell XPS 15 9500, received it yesterday and I'm really disappointed with the speakers as well... the first song I played was "Solid ground" from Michael Kiwanuka, and basically you can hear the crackling noise all the way during that song! It's true that I cannot notice that problem with other songs so far (I also have crackling sound with Windows notifications), but this is a very expensive laptop and from what I can see, a recurring problems from other models from Dell.

Dell, you should really look into this and give us a solution, this is not acceptable. It's not only about taking care of your customers, think that also you are losing sales because of the reputation you are getting with issues like this one.

Update:

Thinking the issue might have been a production issue for a few batches and seeing the Black Friday sale, decided to risk it again. Same issue still exists. The only thing that remotely works for me is to to install Realtek drivers from techspot.com (google "techspot realtek audio driver". Note, I cannot guarantee this is a genuine secure Realtek driver but seems like a reputable site). This seems to remove the crackling sound. However the trade off is tinny sound with no bass and this driver is from 2017. Additionally, Windows keeps replacing it with the newer Dell Realtek driver without asking me, hence it does not stay for long.

Looks like I'll be returning this one too and giving up on Dell for good

@absentiae 

If Dell cannot fix your laptop then there must be some clause in the Ts & Cs that allows you to return it? Perhaps wishful thinking. If not then advising you will be making a complaining to your national trading standards about this may push them to do something. You could make some kind of petition (I would be happy to sign). I am guessing they will need to find a fix in the future as this problem is affecting a growing number of customers, but who knows how long that will take...

By the way, to add to my previous post, if you do install the alternative driver and are happy to live with the not so good sound but without the crackling, I think these instruction may stop the Dell driver from being reinstalled by Windows: See https://www.laptopmag.com/uk/articles/disable-automatic-driver-downloads-on-windows-10 for instructions (if Dell removes the link from this post then just google "@stop windows 10 automatically reinstalling drivers")

Good luck...