random buzzing sound from speakers

My windows 10 HP Envy laptop started making this random crackling, buzzing sound that slowly gets worse over time. according to the device manager, the speakers are Realtek(R) Audio. The noise only stops for good if I put the volume to 0. It still makes the noise if I just hit mute without lowering the volume to 0. When I uninstalled every device that produces sound on the laptop, It doesn't fix it. When I went to control panel, under sound and selected the speaker to check it's properties and then unticked audio enhancements, the speakers still makes the noise.

What do I do?

Good day! I am Independent Advisor Paul R. and also a Microsoft/Windows user like you and I am glad to be able to provide assistance to you today. I understand that you are having an issue with regards to the sound on your laptop.
Just to check, was there a recent update on your machine?
Is this happening even if a headphone or a speaker (bluetooth or not) is connected?
Do let me know for us to check on this further.

Regards,
Paul R.

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Buzzing speakers are caused by the speaker membrane got a hole or detached from the rest of the speaker.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39F0sfKYVcw

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I don't have this problem with headphones or with Bluetooth speakers. I only have this problem with the built-in speakers on the computer.

Also, I have installed the latest updates for the driver and for windows 10 and it still didn't fix it.

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Hi DavidEthier1, have you already tried updating your driver to the latest one from the manufacturer's website?
You can try the following to see if this will help.

Method 1: Change Sound Format
Right-click the sound icon at the bottom right corner of your desktop and select Playback devices.
Highlight your default audio device, which should have a green tick on its icon, then click Properties.
Go to the Advanced tab. Select from the drop-down box 16 bit, 44100 Hz (CD Quality). Then click Apply and OK to save the change.
If CD Quality option fails to help you solve the popping sound issue, try to choose another audio format and see what happens.

Method 2: Disable Sound Enhancement
Right-click the sound icon at the bottom right corner of your desktop and select Playback devices.
Highlight your default audio device, which should have a green tick on its icon, then click Properties.
Go to Enhancements tab. Check the box for Disable all enhancements. Then click Apply and OK to save the change.
Kindly take note that this option is not a universal one, since not all software drivers include such a function or it might be included with the Realtek Audio Manager.

Method 3: Change Power Settings
On your keyboard, press Windows logo key and then type control in the search box. Select Control Panel from the list.
View by Large icons and then select Power Options.
Select Change plan settings of whichever plan that you’re using now.
Now click Change advanced power settings.
Locate and click the + button to expand Processor power management. Then expand Minimum processor state as well. Change the Setting (%) to 100. Then click Apply and OK to save the change.

Regards,
Paul R.

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I tried method 1 and it had no effect.

I tried method 2 and it had no effect

I am unable to try method 3 because when I go into the advanced power settings, I can't find the processor power management. Below, I posted a screenshot of what I see in the advanced power settings

Image

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The noise has started, even when I have the volume set to 0 now. It only stopped when I disabled the speaker in the device manager as a temporary solution, because the noise became too annoying.

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Hi DavidEthier1, kindly try a few more methods to see if this will fix the issue.
Apparently, if ever the issue will still persist and as the last option/method you can also contact your PC's manufacturer to report the issue for them to diagnose it as well and you can provide the troubleshooting steps that was done.

Method 4: Switch to the generic Windows audio driver
- Right-click on the Start Menu button to open the WinX Menu. In the WinX Menu, click on Device Manager to open it. In the Device Manager, double-click on the Sound, video and game controllers section to expand it. Right-click on your audio device (Realtek High Definition Audio, for example) and click on Update Driver Software .
- Click on Browse my computer for driver software. Click on Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer. Select High Definition Audio Device and click on Next.
- Follow the onscreen instructions to replace their computer’s default audio driver with the general Windows High Definition Audio Device.

Method 5: Reinitializing Default Audio Device
- Right–click on the “Speaker” icon in the lower right side of the system tray.
- Select “Sound” and click on the “Playback” tab.
- Right–click on the device that has “Default Device” written below it and select “Disable“.
- Right–click on the device again and select “Enable“.
- This will reinitialize the device, check to see if the issue persists.

Method 6: Check subwoofer setting
- Lowering the Subwoofer slider on the Sound Properties > Levels (Right click on the sound icon in the task bar). Try to play with the slider and balance it to see if the buzzing sound will disappear.

Regards,
Paul R.

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Last updated April 18, 2025 Views 17,524 Applies to: