XPS 8930, Realtek driver update 6.0.9107.1, distorted audio

Question

Hi.  As part of a recent Windows update my Dell XPS 8930 Realtek driver was updated to 6.0.9107.1.  Now the audio is totally distorted.  Imagine a Dalek under water.  It's that bad!  The only way to resolve it was to delete the driver and download and install an older version, 10.0.19041.264.  That fixed it.  But as soon as I reboot, Windows re-installs the latest driver and we're back to square one.  Also, the headphone socket on the front hasn't worked for ages.  Not a problem though as I use Bluetooth cans.  But the driver issue has driven me to order a SoundBlaster internal card which I'll be installing when it arrives later today.

Beefy13 · Answer

Hi.

I did the same thing yesterday with the same mechanical sound issues as a result. Turns out that our systems require only the DELL specified driver installed.

I spent about 4 hours yesterday finally fixing the problem, and yes Microsoft kept reinstalling the newer driver after every reboot.

I think the easiest option would be to restore your system to the point prior to installation of the newer drivers.

However, I finally managed to reinstall the DELL version by uninstalling the newer and installing the DELL version BEFORE rebooting. I had to do this a few times before it stuck. The DELL installer finally asked me if I 'was sure' as it was an 'older version'.

This fixed my sound issues, but now most of my games now crash on launch.....? I started a thread asking for help.

Junior Avelaneda · Answer

My xps 8930 has the same bug with this new driver version and it is crashing on CSGO. Everytime i need to reboot windows sometimes for play.

erpster05 · Answer

if Microsoft Windows Update keeps on re-installing the 6.0.9107.1 Realtek HD audio driver after removing it or rolling back to an older version, use this Microsoft tool called wushowhide.diagcab to hide/block the driver update.

Microsoft used to have this wushowhide tool available on their support site but they removed it a few weeks ago (bad idea, MS!). still a useful tool for hiding or blocking unwanted updates

Oldguy67 · Answer

Thanks for posting about this.I thought it was my hearing going bad.For over a year I've had sound issues after updates.Usually I have to pull all 3 audio jacks and reinstall to get Maxaudio to recognize 5.1 all over again

erpster05 · Answer

several months later, Dell has finally posted an updated Realtek audio driver for the XPS 8930 - v6.0.9205.1 A21- released Oct. 1, 2021

this one should fix the problems with the older 9107 version and provide very good quality sound as I've heard the 9205 version is very good.

RoHe · Answer

@erpster05 wrote:

several months later, Dell has finally posted an updated Realtek audio driver for the XPS 8930 - v6.0.9205.1 A21 - released Oct. 1, 2021

this one should fix the problems with the older 9107 version and provide very good quality sound as I've heard the 9205 version is very good.

Except Realtek driver v9205 is causing boot delays on the XPS 8930. Lots of recent posts about this issue

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XPS 8930, Realtek driver update 6.0.9107.1, distorted audio

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