> Try using Windows System Restore. (Type system restore into the Start>search box and hit the Enter key.) Select a restore point dated earlier than when the issue began.
> Download and install a fresh copy of the Realtek audio driver. Go to the Inspiron 15 3521 support page, select your operating system, expand the Audio category and obtain a Realtek driver.
> And/or you could try the Windows native audio driver, instructions in this thread.
If you need more help please include which operating system you use, and a little more about the problem -- like how long has it been happening, the circumstances at the time the audio stopped working, etc.
I had the same problem as this guy. Im using my girlfriend's dell inspiron 3521 and suddenly the sound started having problems last July 9 (if Im not mistaken). The last thing I remember is, I uninstalled a certain game after finishing it (crysis 2) and then i turned off the laptop (windows update came with it).
I've tried several solutions provided in the net but nothing seems to work.
Steps taken: (random order)
1. Went to services.msc and restarted Windows Audio - fail.
2. Checked volume for gazillion times - fail.
3. (After sound disappears) Went to Device Manager and checked for driver updates - fail.
4. Tried uninstalling/reinstalling Realtek HD Audio - provides momentary solution but later, sound still disappears.
5. Tried scanning using Avast, Malwarebytes to see if there's anything harmful thats causing the problem - all clean, fail.
6. Run a troubleshoot during boot and no problem - fail.
From what I noticed, sound seems okay during startup but like 5-10 mins later, sound suddenly disappears. When I try to configure speaker set up (when sound already disappeared), it prompts me that "The device is being used by another application bla bla" when in fact I did not open any application at all.
Tried uninstalling/reinstalling Realtek HD Audio - provides momentary solution but later, sound still disappears.
There has been a recent Windows update that is causing the kind of symptoms you are seeing. I suggest first trying the solutions for that. Here are the solutions that forum members have reported so far:
Forum member countiss wrote that it is due to Microsoft....
"Update KB2962407, which that states it fixes "Shortened battery life when an idle audio device is not turned off on a computer running Windows". You do not have to do a System Restore to get rid of the Updates; easier to go to Windows Update, View Update History. On the top of that screen, click on Installed Updates. Then just right-click the update you want to uninstall."
Forum member natakuc4 says that updating to Windows 8.1 will fix it. He wrote:
"If you are still on Windows 8.0. You should upgrade from Windows 8.0 to Windows 8.1. See the instructions here: http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-microsoft-windows-and-office/download-microsoft-windows/upgrading-to-windows-8-1-from-windows-8-0-via-the-microsoft-store/
Uninstall the audio and video drivers before the update. After the update uninstall the network and chipset drivers and get the Windows 8.1 (WB64A) drivers.."
You can get the drivers he mentions either from your model's support page after you select 8.1 as the operating system in the selection box, or you can get them from Dell's ftp server, where they are named "WB64A" and "WB32A", meaning 8.1 64-bit and 32-bit.
Thanks for the replies. I am using Windows 8, 64-bit, but cannot upgrade to 8.1 because of incompatibility issues with work. I did see this problem occur around the same time as Jim (early July) and an update occurred around that time as well. I also get the message that the device is being used by another application when troubleshooting. At first the sound would appear if I rebooted, but now it doesn't. Also it will quit in the middle of something.
Since I cannot upgrade to Windows 8.1, am I correct in understanding that I need to delete Windows Update KB2962407 to correct the problem? Thanks for your help!
Since I cannot upgrade to Windows 8.1, am I correct in understanding that I need to delete Windows Update KB2962407 to correct the problem? Thanks for your help!
If you are having the issue of audio cutting off then yes, please give that a try and see if it helps. However if your issue is just no audio at all, then probably you don't have the issue caused by the update.
Hi BRGLADDEN, my name is Carlos. I also do have a new Inspiron 15 3521 and I found just tonight after working for couple of weeks that the Dell audio system for some reason does not work with the configuration of Windows Audio System. Why? I do not know. I just been testing and that is what I figure out. I am not sure if you are familiar with Windows 8 or not. In case you are not familiar click Windows key and X key. That will open a small window and choose control panel. Go where the sound ware is located and click and open a small windows that may say on top sound. Click on sound and choose no sounds to allow Maxx Audio to work. Then choose to close all open programs and go to Dell Maxx Audio and make sure that is working and properly configured. This is not a final solution but it is the best I can do for now. I am not a tech but rather just someone who is having the same problem that you do and for some reason my audio is working now. Like I said is not a final fix but if I find more info, I will be glad to help you.
Hi BRGLADDEN, my name is Carlos and I did have some audio problems as well. I am not a tech but I have work with other brands of pc's but never with Dell until now that I have a Dell Inspiron 3521 just like you. This is what I found in my audio problem with the pc Inspiron 3521 I got. So try these and let me know what is your experience after you follow these steps.
Step One: Press Windows Logo Key and X key at the same time and hold them down and release them. A task window should open and in the menu of the task window click on " Control Panel."
Step Two: Click on hardware & Sound. > Open sound tab. > Choose Windows Default. > Click Apply & Okay.
Step Three: Open communications and choose, mute all other sounds to avoid getting a second sound on the background like I did. > Choose apply & okay.
Step Four: Close Sound Window.
Step Five: Open Dell Audio. > Check your Dell Audio Settings or Configuration that everything seems to be in proper working condition.
Step Six: Click WIndows Key and I Key together to open the right pane. > choose where it says turn off computer and choose restart instead.
Step Seven: Listen for Windows start welcome sound and try to go to msn and click above where it says video and open a video link to see if you have audio. Let me know if that may resolve your problem.
Jim Coates
4 Operator
•
13.6K Posts
0
July 18th, 2014 19:00
> Try using Windows System Restore. (Type system restore into the Start>search box and hit the Enter key.) Select a restore point dated earlier than when the issue began.
> Download and install a fresh copy of the Realtek audio driver. Go to the Inspiron 15 3521 support page, select your operating system, expand the Audio category and obtain a Realtek driver.
> And/or you could try the Windows native audio driver, instructions in this thread.
If you need more help please include which operating system you use, and a little more about the problem -- like how long has it been happening, the circumstances at the time the audio stopped working, etc.
Jim5189
2 Posts
0
July 20th, 2014 01:00
I had the same problem as this guy. Im using my girlfriend's dell inspiron 3521 and suddenly the sound started having problems last July 9 (if Im not mistaken). The last thing I remember is, I uninstalled a certain game after finishing it (crysis 2) and then i turned off the laptop (windows update came with it).
I've tried several solutions provided in the net but nothing seems to work.
Steps taken: (random order)
1. Went to services.msc and restarted Windows Audio - fail.
2. Checked volume for gazillion times - fail.
3. (After sound disappears) Went to Device Manager and checked for driver updates - fail.
4. Tried uninstalling/reinstalling Realtek HD Audio - provides momentary solution but later, sound still disappears.
5. Tried scanning using Avast, Malwarebytes to see if there's anything harmful thats causing the problem - all clean, fail.
6. Run a troubleshoot during boot and no problem - fail.
From what I noticed, sound seems okay during startup but like 5-10 mins later, sound suddenly disappears. When I try to configure speaker set up (when sound already disappeared), it prompts me that "The device is being used by another application bla bla" when in fact I did not open any application at all.
Jim Coates
4 Operator
•
13.6K Posts
0
July 20th, 2014 06:00
There has been a recent Windows update that is causing the kind of symptoms you are seeing. I suggest first trying the solutions for that. Here are the solutions that forum members have reported so far:
Forum member countiss wrote that it is due to Microsoft....
"Update KB2962407, which that states it fixes "Shortened battery life when an idle audio device is not turned off on a computer running Windows".
You do not have to do a System Restore to get rid of the Updates; easier to go to Windows Update, View Update History. On the top of that screen, click on Installed Updates. Then just right-click the update you want to uninstall."
=============================================================================
Forum member natakuc4 says that updating to Windows 8.1 will fix it. He wrote:
"If you are still on Windows 8.0. You should upgrade from Windows 8.0 to Windows 8.1. See the instructions here:
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-microsoft-windows-and-office/download-microsoft-windows/upgrading-to-windows-8-1-from-windows-8-0-via-the-microsoft-store/
Uninstall the audio and video drivers before the update. After the update uninstall the network and chipset drivers and get the Windows 8.1 (WB64A) drivers.."
You can get the drivers he mentions either from your model's support page after you select 8.1 as the operating system in the selection box, or you can get them from Dell's ftp server, where they are named "WB64A" and "WB32A", meaning 8.1 64-bit and 32-bit.
brgladden
2 Posts
0
July 20th, 2014 19:00
Thanks for the replies. I am using Windows 8, 64-bit, but cannot upgrade to 8.1 because of incompatibility issues with work. I did see this problem occur around the same time as Jim (early July) and an update occurred around that time as well. I also get the message that the device is being used by another application when troubleshooting. At first the sound would appear if I rebooted, but now it doesn't. Also it will quit in the middle of something.
Since I cannot upgrade to Windows 8.1, am I correct in understanding that I need to delete Windows Update KB2962407 to correct the problem? Thanks for your help!
Jim Coates
4 Operator
•
13.6K Posts
0
July 20th, 2014 19:00
If you are having the issue of audio cutting off then yes, please give that a try and see if it helps. However if your issue is just no audio at all, then probably you don't have the issue caused by the update.
Jim5189
2 Posts
0
July 22nd, 2014 21:00
Hey Jimco, thanks for the response. I've followed your tip regarding the windows updating deletion and viola!!! it worked :)
Apparently, the laptop is not in my hands for the mean time but I will post an update soon if the problem occurs again. Thanks for the help!
Cheers
~Jim
Grace_balls-of_
18 Posts
0
July 23rd, 2014 01:00
Hi BRGLADDEN, my name is Carlos. I also do have a new Inspiron 15 3521 and I found just tonight after working for couple of weeks that the Dell audio system for some reason does not work with the configuration of Windows Audio System. Why? I do not know. I just been testing and that is what I figure out. I am not sure if you are familiar with Windows 8 or not. In case you are not familiar click Windows key and X key. That will open a small window and choose control panel. Go where the sound ware is located and click and open a small windows that may say on top sound. Click on sound and choose no sounds to allow Maxx Audio to work. Then choose to close all open programs and go to Dell Maxx Audio and make sure that is working and properly configured. This is not a final solution but it is the best I can do for now. I am not a tech but rather just someone who is having the same problem that you do and for some reason my audio is working now. Like I said is not a final fix but if I find more info, I will be glad to help you.
Grace_balls-of_
18 Posts
0
July 23rd, 2014 02:00
Hi BRGLADDEN, my name is Carlos and I did have some audio problems as well. I am not a tech but I have work with other brands of pc's but never with Dell until now that I have a Dell Inspiron 3521 just like you. This is what I found in my audio problem with the pc Inspiron 3521 I got. So try these and let me know what is your experience after you follow these steps.
Step One: Press Windows Logo Key and X key at the same time and hold them down and release them. A task window should open and in the menu of the task window click on " Control Panel."
Step Two: Click on hardware & Sound. > Open sound tab. > Choose Windows Default. > Click Apply & Okay.
Step Three: Open communications and choose, mute all other sounds to avoid getting a second sound on the background like I did. > Choose apply & okay.
Step Four: Close Sound Window.
Step Five: Open Dell Audio. > Check your Dell Audio Settings or Configuration that everything seems to be in proper working condition.
Step Six: Click WIndows Key and I Key together to open the right pane. > choose where it says turn off computer and choose restart instead.
Step Seven: Listen for Windows start welcome sound and try to go to msn and click above where it says video and open a video link to see if you have audio. Let me know if that may resolve your problem.