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Inspiron, Vostro, Alienware, XPS, Precision, and Latitude Laptop Audio Distortion When Playing Music or Video after Windows Update

Summary: This article provides information about the audio distortion occurs on the Inspiron, Vostro, Alienware, XPS, Precision, or Latitude laptop after the Windows update.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Symptoms

You may hear audio distortions during the playback of music or video content after the Windows automatic update has run.

Affected Platforms:

Table.1: Affected Products by Line of Business
Latitude Precision XPS Inspiron Vostro Alienware
Latitude 3320 Laptop Precision 3560 Mobile XPS 17 9710 Laptop Inspiron 13 5310 Laptop Vostro 13 5310 Laptop Alienware m18 R2 Laptop
Latitude 3420 Laptop Precision 3561 Mobile XPS 17 9720 Laptop Inspiron 14 5410 Laptop Vostro 14 5410 Laptop  
Latitude 3520 Laptop Precision 3570 Mobile XPS 17 9730 Laptop Inspiron 14 5410/5418 laptop Vostro 15 5510 Laptop  
Latitude 5320 Laptop Precision 3571 Mobile   Inspiron 24 All-in-one 5410/5411 Desktop  Vostro 15 7510 Laptop  
Latitude 5330 Laptop Precision 3580 Mobile   Inspiron 15 5510/5518 Laptop    
Latitude 5340 Laptop Precision 3581 Mobile   Inspiron 24 All-in-One 5420 Desktop    
Latitude 5350 Laptop Precision 3590 Mobile   Inspiron 15 7510 Laptop    
Latitude 5520 Laptop Precision 3591 Mobile   Inspiron 16 7610 Laptop    
Latitude 5521 Laptop Precision 5760 Mobile   Inspiron 27 All-in-One 7710 Desktop    
Latitude 5530 Laptop Precision 5770 Mobile   Inspiron 27 All-in-One 7720 Desktop    
Latitude 5531 Laptop          
Latitude 5540 Laptop           
Latitude 5550 Laptop          
Latitude 7340 Laptop          
Latitude 7350 Laptop          

Cause

There are multiple components to the audio driver within the Windows Update. The Microsoft Windows Update does not install all the audio driver components. This interferes with the audio functionality on your computer.

Resolution

Note: To make operating system changes such as installing drivers, you must have administrator privileges on the device.
 

Updating to the Realtek High Definition Audio Driver version 6.0.9597.1 or later on the computer through Dell.com, Dell Update or SupportAssist resolves the issue. It is MANDATORY to restart the computer after the driver update. Reference the following link for instructions on how to download and install the driver: How to Download and Install Dell Drivers

Note: For XPS laptops, do NOT use version 6.0.9597.1 of the driver. The laptops from the XPS line of business require version 10.0.235.1 of the Realtek High-Definition Audio Driver instead.
 
Note: Do not use Windows Update to update the audio driver.

Additional Information

Related Content:

Affected Products

Alienware m18 R2, Inspiron 13 5310, Inspiron 14 5410 2-in-1, Inspiron 14 5410/5418, Inspiron 15 5510/5518, Inspiron 15 7510, Inspiron 16 7610, Inspiron 24 5410 All-in-One, Inspiron 24 5411 All-in-One, Inspiron 24 5420 All-in-One , Inspiron 27 7710 All-in-One, Inspiron 27 7720 All-in-One, Latitude 3320, Latitude 5320, Latitude 5330, Latitude 5340, Latitude 5350, Latitude 7340, Latitude 7350, Latitude 3420, Latitude 3520, Latitude 5520, Latitude 5521, Latitude 5530, Latitude 5531, Latitude 5540, Latitude 5550, Precision 3560, Precision 3561, Precision 3570, Precision 3571, Precision 3580, Precision 3581, Precision 3590, Mobile Precision 3591, Precision 5760, Precision 5770, Vostro 13 5310, Vostro 14 5410, Vostro 15 5510, Vostro 15 7510, XPS 17 9710, XPS 17 9720, XPS 17 9730 ...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000222654
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 20 Mar 2024
Version:  4
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