From similar threads some people are suggesting it install Microsoft High Definition Audio Driver (Generic Audio Driver); I agree on their point but it sound like . Waves Maxx is so good, it feels like it is necessary evil. The initial version of driver also sound like  The latest one has so much improved performance that my CPU can't handle and Dell will not acknowledge it.They keep asking renew warranty period and other BS. They really don't want to help but to churn out some more money as you start hating and will eventually stop using Dell products.

Are you using USB speakers?  I've noticed that CPU usage spikes (and whatever application is using sound will stall) when I plug in a USB speaker to a computer that is running Waves MaxxAudio, making the USB speakers useless.  This does not happen with another computer that is not running Waves MaxxAudio.

Try using earphones or some other sound device and see if you get the same effect.  Not that that is necessarily a solution, but it would narrow down the problem.

This is something that changed in the past few months.  I haven't figured it out yet.

Dell Support is not only not helpful, but is worse than no help at all.  I am using the Dell AC511 soundbar.  It clips onto the bottom of certain monitors and plugs into an available USB port (on the monitor, if those USB ports are active, on the docking station, or the computer directly).  The product specs for the soundbar specify compatible monitors, which are the Dell monitors that have the slots to clip the soundbar onto.  With me so far?  Dell Support indicated that the problem could be that I am using the soundbar with an unsupported monitor or that I need to plug the USB soundbar into the monitor's USB port, not directly into the computer because the USB soundbar is designed for use with a monitor.

Same issue on Windows 11, Realtek driver 6.0.9261.1_A10, Latitude 5420.

Ditto. Comes and goes and is usually around 20-40% CPU

OS: Windows 11 Pro Version 21H2 Build 22000.613

Laptop: Dell Precision 3560

Realtek Audio Driver Version: 6.0.9261.1 (02-Nov-2021)

I have the exact same problem; "Dell Command | Update" doesn't show any newer drivers and the sound service "Waves MaxxAudio" eats up 7-15% of CPU, sometimes even more.

If I keep it running, it drains my battery in less dan 1,5 hours, and this Latitude 9420 is not even 3 months old! I already have had a lot of this from my colleagues complaining about the webcam modules on these laptops just stopping working.

I don't know who's in Dell's Engineering or QA department, but they're not doing their job.

I'm going with Lenovo Thinkpads for the next laptops we order; We have about 120 of those and at least they work without any issues.. Going with Dell was a seriously big mistake.

@hvanmegen 

Hi, 

Noticed the same issue with Windows 11. Seems like the lastest Realtek driver from 5/18/2022 solved the issue on my Latitude 7420. 

Version 6.0.9329.1, A12

Realtek-High-Definition-Audio-Driver_CHR22_WIN_6.0.9329.1_A12.EXE

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There is no new version of this driver for my Latitude 9420 running Windows 11.

Right now, according to Windows' device manager, it is running Realtek SoundWire HW Audio Code Device Driver v10.0.66.160 . When checking for new drivers it says this is already the latest version of the driver that is installed. Also, when trying to update the driver manually, it says that there is already a newer driver on this system.

There's nothing for me to update.