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Distorted Sound From Laptop Speakers When Using VLC Media Player

Summary: VLC audio player can cause issues with audio playback. This article provides helpful information to resolve this issue.

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Article Content


Symptoms

The VLC audio player can cause issues with speaker playback, refer to the steps to help resolve audio issues while using VLC Media Player (India, Vietnam) and BaoFeng, Xunlei, SheShou and Baidu media players (China).

When using VLC Media Player, volume can be increased to maximum output. This eventually distorts the speaker output.

If audio/video playback is continuously done using VLC Media Player with volume higher than 100% over a period of time, even if the volume is kept at a lower level later, sound would be distorted. This distortion is permanent.

Cause

Some audio applications like VLC Media Player will allow large power output through speaker, approximately 200% to 400% of original sound output. In this situation, excessive usage may damage the speaker.

Resolution

If you are using VLC or any other amplification software, follow these steps.

  • Update the audio drivers from Dell.com/support/drivers. Installing Microsoft Windows or Ubuntu will use only the native device drivers.
  • Update the BIOS to the latest version. To learn more, see the Dell knowledge base article Dell BIOS Updates.
  • Ensure that the audio output from media players like VLC Media Player does not exceed 100% and the internal audio does not exceed 95%.
  • Use audio files with a bitrate of 320kbps for optimum quality and disable all audio enhancement.
NOTE: Installing the latest audio drivers will ensure that the BIOS on your computer can control the maximum sound output delivered to the speakers. This could potentially avoid any damage to the speaker due to high amplification of sound by some applications.

Additional Information

Article Properties


Affected Product

Inspiron, Latitude, Vostro, XPS, Legacy Laptop Models, Inspiron 3420 (End of Life), Inspiron 3520 (End of Life), Vostro 2420, Vostro 2520

Last Published Date

08 Jan 2024

Version

6

Article Type

Solution