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speaker kept making crackling noises on Dell Inspiron 3147

Anonymous
2014-10-20T06:05:06+00:00

I got a new Dell Inspiron 3147 and the speaker kept making crackling noises so I exchanged it for a second unit. I'm still having the same problem. Starting to think it is the software/driver issue not hardware (or I am just unlucky)

It's like a static-y kind of noise when I listen to music or videos, very random, every 1 minute or so on average.

I ran the online Dell online diagnostics, did all the window updates and updated all the drivers but nothing seems to change. How do I fix this? Should I return it and get a third unit?

Thanks in advance.

suggested title: Dell Inspiron 3147 static/crackling noise

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-10-21T05:57:26+00:00

    Hello JieunJ,

    Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community Forum.

    As per the description I understand that you are unable to use your speakers as they are producing distortion while you play music. The issue might be related with the hardware configuration or with the driver of the sound card. We need few more details to understand the cause of the issue better.

    1. Have you made any hardware changes in your computer recently?
    2. Is your speaker working on another computer?

    I suggest you to try using the “Playing Audio” troubleshooter. It checks for common problems with your volume settings, your sound card or driver, and your speakers or headphones. Refer to the following steps to run the troubleshooter.

    Follow the steps to run the troubleshooter:

    1. Press Windows + R, type control panel and then click on ok.
    2. Change the view by (from windows explorer) to large icons or small icons.
    3. Click on Troubleshooting.
    4. Now type Playing Audio in the search option.
    5. Click on Playing Audio to run the troubleshooter.

    Note: If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

    If the issue persists I suggest you to go through the following article based on Tips for fixing common sound problems:

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Tips-for-fixing-common-sound-problems

    Check column, "Sound from my speakers is crackling or distorted”.

    Note: Holds good for windows 8 as well.

    You can also run the diagnostic from dell website. Select Hardware, choose sound card, click on Run Diagnostic and follow the onscreen instructions:

    Refer to the Link:

    http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/04/product-support/product/inspiron-11-3147-laptop/diagnose

    If the issue still persists. Please try to reinstall the Audio Drivers:

    Refer the following steps to update Audio Driver.

    1. Press Windows + R and type control. Click ok.
    2. Change the view by (from windows explorer) to large icons or small icons.
    3. Double Click on Device Manager.
    4. Expand Sound Video and game controller, double click on the available entry for sound.
    5. Click the tab Driver, click Update Driver.

    Hope this information is helpful. Please feel free to reply, in case you face any other issues with Windows in future.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  1. Anonymous
    2016-04-05T04:30:40+00:00

    Go to

    Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options

    then check Balanced(recommended) instead of power saver

    hope that helps

    6 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2016-03-03T06:45:04+00:00

    So I have a possible solution for you- the crackling seems to be a side effect of the energy plan- I suspected a hardware issue, but it is caused by the energy saving settings the laptop adopts when you go off the charger. Try right-clicking the task bar icon for the battery, selecting power options and then selecting a higher performance plan for when you're on battery. 

    Looks like that great battery life came at the cost of really bad performance.

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2014-12-29T08:53:46+00:00

    Hello Einnor,

    Thank you for the update on similar issue.

    I am agree with you on this, as it seems like the issue of your laptop is related with hardware. So, I recommend you to contact Dell Supportfor the same.

    Please do let us know if you need further assistance with Windows, we’ll be glad to assist you.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-12-28T20:41:50+00:00

    I performed the same maintenance as the user and as suggested by the rep, however, the Dell Inspiron 3147 still has a static/crackling noise. 

    The lap top is only a few days old and has done it since first boot up. 

    After trouble shooting I narrowed down the problem. The above described speaker noise dissipates as long as the laptop plugged in, as soon as it runs off  battery only the static-y crackling noise starts again. Plug the lap top back in and it stops. I have had the laptop several days and the battery has been discharged & recharged several times. It makes no difference if the battery is low or fully charged, when running on the battery alone the speakers make the crackling noise. The same problem is present when using headphones (I tried several sets).  This appears to be a hardware/defective laptop issue, not a speaker defect.

    Was this issue ever resolved?

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