No Sound after Bios update

Question

Hi! I have just updated the BIOS on my dell xps 15 9570, everything fine except audio is not working.

This issue is present both in windows 10 and in pop os linux distro (I have a dual boot system).

The strange part is that it seems to be picking correctly the microphone inputs, only the speaker is not working.

I have just changed the battery so I'm worried is not software related, can you help me find the issue?

Tatolino · Accepted Answer

Hi there!

If you are positive this happened right after updating the system BIOS, push come to shove you could always consider rolling back to a previous release... But I wouldn't go that far just yet.

First of all, have you checked that all the peripherals drivers are still correctly installed? Have a look at Device Manager, don't take just a peek but carefully look at the Audio Inputs and Outputs submenu, as well as Sound, Video and Game controllers: is everything there and accounted for? You should especially make sure Realtek High Defintion Audio is there, with multiple entries. Also verify which drivers release is installed (right click on Realtek High(...) > Properties > Drivers). You can post screenshots if you like, those surely help.

Given the fact that your mic is working, I would verify that Waves MaxxAudio Pro is correctly installed and running, it is arguably the most important piece of the puzzle, as it controls all your sound inputs and outputs, you cannot switch outputs if it isn't effectively running at startup: open the Task Manager -> Startup tab and make sure it is enabled.
Then go to Start and look for Waves MaxxAudio Pro, run it and see if it is set to Internal Speakers, or if there's anything different selected (earbuds/headset...): you should be able to select Internal Speakers under Select Output Device anyway, and while you're there click on Advanced and make sure Show pup up dialog when a device is connected is checked.

Also connect a headset to the 3.5mm audio jack to see if it is working: if the headset is indeed working and the speakers are not, then I think we can safely exclude a drivers issue and focus on some software/settings glitch, and I would look again into AudioMaxx, as it is often the one to blame for this kind of problems.

I don't think you should have done any damage by replacing the battery, it is a pretty straightforward operation, remove base cover>disconnect battery cable>unscrew and remove battery>replace battery>connect cable. That being said, just below the battery, in the bottom right-hand corner, there lies the daughterboard to which the internal speakers are connected: there's a flat cable connecting to it, do you think you could have disconnected it by mistake?
You could always check, by all means, you could reseat it to confirm it is correctly connected. Here is your laptop's Service Manual, at page 33 you will find the instructions on how to do it.

You could also run the preboot diagnostc tool to see if it detects any hardware problem: reboot your system and at the Dell logo immediately start pressing F12 to initialize a boot menu where you can find the diagnostic tool.

giav1n · Answer

Hi and thanks for the replay! So If I plug-in the headphones with the audio jack I can here the audio fine suggesting that it is a problem of the speakers. MaxxAudio is present and running at start-up. Before reopening the pc to verify any unplugged connector, I would like to downgrade the bios to the previous version so where can I find the exe for that? Currently on the Dell website I see only the version of 9 August 1.26 which is the latest one and what I have now. Thanks a lot for the help!

Tatolino · Answer

Hi!

no worries, happy to help.

Here is the release you're looking for, 1.25.

But before you go forward with the downgrade, you may want to double check your settings in MaxxAudio Pro: are you positive you have selected Internal speakers as output device? Have you verified it is your chosen output device in Windows Sound settings too? It should be called simply Speakers there, and while you're at it you can check their properties, making sure volume is on and Enhance audio option is off.

If you can't find any speakers in Sound settings, make sure they are enabled in Device manager > Audio input and output.

Tatolino · Answer

Oh that's great! I'm happy it was as simple as that!

Tatolino · Answer

Absolutely, the 3.5mm jack is soldered directly to the daughterboard, no connection to the speakers whatsoever.

Speakers are wired to the daughterboard through this little flat cable you can see in the picture.
You can try and reseat the connector, see if it was unplugged for some reason.

Anyway, I would not blame this issue on the battery, there is no reason why a non genuine battery would affect your sound setup: worst case is when your laptop doesn't recognize it as a compatible battery and you have to go through hèll and high water to make it work, but once the system has moved past preboot check then it's over, for good. However, if you want to test the battery theory for your peace of mind, you could always remove it and use just the AC adapter with no battery inside, and see if it works.

One thing I would do, if anything, is reset the motherboard memory: unplug the AC Adapter, remove/unplug the battery, press and hold the on/off button for at least 30 seconds.

Another thing I would do is reset the BIOS, both to default and factory settings, multiple times, to make sure it's wiped clean.

Best of luck!

giav1n · Answer

So I checked everything you suggested: MaxxAudio is enable at the startup and the output device is set to Internal Speaker which it is the only option available. Similarly in Sound Settings I see Speaker/Headphones Realtek etc..

I have also downgraded the bios to 1.25 still the issue is there.

At this point my last resort is the battery, I installed a compatible one which is just working fine but maybe I did something in the process and messed up the hardware. Is it possible to have working headphones if the cable you mentioned before is disabled?

giav1n · Answer

It was indeed the connector! It is very small I didn't even see when I changed the battery, Now everything back to normal thanks!

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