XPS 8930, issue only some audio working

Question

This issue baffles me! The audio (from XPS 8930 running Windows 10 to plugged in speakers) only works on certain and very few occasions. I initially thought the issue was the speakers/connections, but I left You Tube running and out of the blue, audio started working ruling out the speakers/connections which I'd previously checked.

So I can hear audio watching this vid for example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beMtNM7nwfQ&t=82s

(please kindly note that I am not promoting this vid in any way, it's just one of the very few vids I can hear the audio on). But I can't hear audio via Spotify, other You Tube channels or vids I've recorded myself.

Does anyone have any thoughts? I've checked all the obvious issues: Sound settings, volume mixer, trouble shoot etc many times.

Thank you.

RoHe · Accepted Answer

Continued from above... Plug rear speakers in to #9 and wait for Waves... Plug subwoofer in to  #10 and wait... Open Waves control panel and click Playback. Move slider to turn Equalizer on. Make sure 'Select Output' is set correctly. Now you can select music type, adjust bass etc to your needs. Save the profile with unique name (not a Waves pre-set name). You can save different profiles, each with new name for different types of music. Last one used will be loaded at next boot. But you can select a different profile in the Waves control panel...

RoHe · Answer

What's your speaker setup, external L/R speakers only, 5.1 surround, or...?

How are speakers connected to your XPS 8930, via audio port(s) on rear of PC (Realtek Audio) or are you using audio of HDMI (or DP) (NVidia Audio) from video card?

Go to Win 10 Sound settings screen and make sure Output device is set correctly depending on how your speakers are connected. If you're using Realtek Audio, what version of the Realtek driver is installed? You can find that info going to Sound-video-game>Realtek Audio>Driver screen in Device Manager.

Assuming you're using Realtek, the XPS 8930 uses Waves MaxxAudio Pro as sound controller so you have to configure Waves properly. First, make sure Waves is loading automatically at every boot. You may see a white W on blue icon near clock on task bar. Otherwise, look on Processes tab and/or Startup tab in Task Manager for Waves. (I have two Waves entries on Processes tab on my XPS 8930.)

Assuming Realtek Audio and Waves is being loaded at boot, shut PC down normally and disconnect all speakers from rear of PC. Reboot PC. At the desktop, plug in front L/R speakers in to #8, see here. Now wait until Waves pops up and asks what you connected. Select best option from the menu.

Sorry, have to continue this in next post due to forum error...

Chocman24 · Answer

Thanks Ron, I'm gathering all the info you requested and having a crack at your suggestion re disconnecting speakers etc today. I'll be back in touch. Your help is appreciated as this issue is very frustrating!

Chocman24 · Answer

Hi Ron, I can't thank you enough - the unplugging/plugging worked! It seems strange to be able to hear audio as as I'd lost it for so long.

RoHe · Answer

Yea! Glad that fixed the problem. Waves can be such a royal pain...

You didn't say which Realtek Audio driver is installed (look in Device Manager). One of the latest drivers causes boot issues on XPS 8930. You want Realtek driver v6.0.9107.1 or v6.0.1.8248, you don't want one higher than v6.0.9107.1.

BTW: Keep in mind Waves comes bundled with the Realtek Audio driver on XPS 8930. So whenever there's a Realtek Audio driver update, typically via Windows Update, or if you roll back to an earlier one to get rid of a bum driver, Waves will get uninstalled and then reinstalled along with the "new" driver.

Then you may have to play Waves' "waiting game" all over again if you lose sound and/or if Waves suddenly decides your speakers are "internal" and sound terrible. Been there, done that multiple times on my XPS 8930.

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XPS 8930, issue only some audio working

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