Audio louder than usual until volume is changed

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  1. Posts : 8
    Windows 8.1
       #21

    DaveTheRave said:
    I’ve been having the exact same problems with volume spikes and have been trying to solve it for months ... So I’m very glad to see that it’s a known issue, not something unique to my machine. I have a Dell XPS 27 running Windows 8.1 and have signed up for Windows 10 but not yet installed it. I notice the volume spikes both on iTunes music and streaming videos. Symptoms are the same as others: if I pause a song or video, hitting “play” again seems to double the actual volume, even though my audio volume slider remains at its original setting. It is instantly fixed by manually dragging the volume slider in either direction.
    I’ve tried disabling the Dell MAXX AudioPro speaker enhancement in Control Panel, updating the RealTek audio driver, synchronizing all the volume mixer sliders to the same level … nothing works.
    My audio driver: 6.3.9600.16384 Date of driver: 8-22-2013 Driver provider: Microsoft
    When I try to update my driver, I get the message, “You have the latest available driver.”

    If reverting to an earlier driver version can solve this, how can I trick Windows into letting me install an earlier version? I tried doing it through Dell’s driver updates, and although it allowed me to download an earlier version, it would not allow me to install it. It told me something like, “Installation failed. A newer version of the driver is already installed.”

    Hoping someone finds a fix!
    Here is something you can try: uninstall the current audio driver + the audio enhancement using Programs and Features in Control Panel; search for "Realtek High Definition Audio Driver" and for "Dell MaxAudio Pro", uninstall both of them and then restart your computer. Next, download the latest driver from here: tick the box and then click on next; then you have to click on "Global" situated on the same line with the corresponding driver version for your Windows instalation (if you have 32 bit, choose the first line or the second, if you are using a 64 bit version). After downloading the file, run it, restart your computer after it is done and check if the problem still occurs.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 51
    Windows 10
       #22

    andrei9696 said:
    Here is something you can try: uninstall the current audio driver + the audio enhancement using Programs and Features in Control Panel; search for "Realtek High Definition Audio Driver" and for "Dell MaxAudio Pro", uninstall both of them and then restart your computer. Next, download the latest driver from here: tick the box and then click on next; then you have to click on "Global" situated on the same line with the corresponding driver version for your Windows instalation (if you have 32 bit, choose the first line or the second, if you are using a 64 bit version). After downloading the file, run it, restart your computer after it is done and check if the problem still occurs.
    Thanks, Andrei! Before I try that, a couple questions for you. First, to confirm, you are suggesting that after the uninstalls and reboot, I get the LATEST driver, not an earlier version, as some have suggested here, correct? Because Windows indicates I already have the latest driver. Also, Dell MaxxAudioPro gives me a huge improvement in audio quality. Do you think I could reinstall MaxxAudioPro after reinstalling the audio driver? If I had to choose between enduring the audio volume spikes or keeping MaxxAudioPro, I think I would choose to keep MaxxAudioPro. Again, thanks for your help.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 3,505
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit 21H1 (May 2021 build 19043.1083)
       #23

    Hello!

    I have Realtek HD audio in my motherboard, but I'm using a discreet Creative Audigy, so I didn't know there is a problem. However, I spotted something in Realtek HD Audio Manager that might help you. See the photo bellow:

    Audio louder than usual until volume is changed-realtek-hd-audio-manager.jpg

    Try ckecking/unchecking the box for Loudness Equalization at top right to see if that makes any difference. You can also install old-style volume control using Winaero Tweaker and then go to mixer, see pictures below:

    Audio louder than usual until volume is changed-old-volume-control.jpgAudio louder than usual until volume is changed-volume-mixer.jpg

    From there you can lower down only the problematic application, not the main volume. Windows (usually) remember this setting next time you start the same application.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 51
    Windows 10
       #24

    spapakons said:
    Hello!

    I have Realtek HD audio in my motherboard, but I'm using a discreet Creative Audigy, so I didn't know there is a problem. However, I spotted something in Realtek HD Audio Manager that might help you. See the photo bellow:

    Audio louder than usual until volume is changed-realtek-hd-audio-manager.jpg

    Try ckecking/unchecking the box for Loudness Equalization at top right to see if that makes any difference. You can also install old-style volume control using Winaero Tweaker and then go to mixer, see pictures below:

    Audio louder than usual until volume is changed-old-volume-control.jpgAudio louder than usual until volume is changed-volume-mixer.jpg

    From there you can lower down only the problematic application, not the main volume. Windows (usually) remember this setting next time you start the same application.
    Interesting. I followed this procedure: ( How to Enable Sound Loudness Equalization in Windows 8.1 ) and got these results:

    With the Loudness Equalization checked, my iTunes audio would still spike after being paused sometimes, but not always, and the spike was much smaller than usual. YouTube audio also still spiked, just as loud as previously.

    Then I unchecked Loudness Equalization, and the big audio spikes returned, but not always, just most of the time.

    Then I check Loudness Equalization again, and it seems the iTunes audio volume spikes are small enough to not even be annoying, and they don't happen always. YouTube audio spikes are louder, but perhaps not as loud as with Loudness Equalization unchecked.

    So it appears Loudness Equalization has some positive effect, although it does not completely resolve the issue.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 3,505
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit 21H1 (May 2021 build 19043.1083)
       #25

    This is loudness equalization from Windows controls. I would also try that from Realtek HD Audio Manager.

    What about opening mixer and then lower down iTunes or your browser? Does that work?


    EDIT: I also found this link! have a try!
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 51
    Windows 10
       #26

    HEY! I think I might have solved this audio spike issue. I went to change my Loudness Equalization (How to Enable Sound Loudness Equalization in Windows 8.1 as detailed above, and I clicked "Speakers and Headphones" and then "Properties" and then clicked "Advanced." There's a box that says "Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device." It was checked. I unchecked it. Apply and save. And I have not been able to repeat an audio spike on iTunes or Youtube since! If it comes back, I'll post to let y'all know.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 51
    Windows 10
       #27

    OK, I spoke too soon. While iTunes no longer spikes, YouTube does sometimes, but not always. Back to the drawing board.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 3,505
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit 21H1 (May 2021 build 19043.1083)
       #28

    I have noticed that YouTube always sets volume to max when playing an ad and then the video your are watching has normal volume. That could explain the problem in YouTube. Try loudness equalization as described in my previous post and also try lowering the browser volume and iTunes volume from the audio mixer. Also try the sound lock utility from the last link I provided.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 51
    Windows 10
       #29

    spapakons said:
    I have noticed that YouTube always sets volume to max when playing an ad and then the video your are watching has normal volume. That could explain the problem in YouTube. Try loudness equalization as described in my previous post and also try lowering the browser volume and iTunes volume from the audio mixer. Also try the sound lock utility from the last link I provided.
    I have continued tinkering in attempts to solve this audio spike issue. I have noticed that the Windows “bong” that plays when an email arrives also is subject to the volume spike. So I don’t think the issue is specific to YouTube or iTunes or Windows. It must be a setting or a conflict … maybe we have too many cooks in the audio kitchen: RealTek Audio, Dell’s MaxxAudioPro, the Windows volume mixer … ? That’s why I’m hesitant to add another with that utility you suggested for download, but I’ll try it if there’s no better option. It might be easier to diagnose if it happened every time, but the randomness is frustrating. After we pause a video or audio, why would resuming the sound cause a spike only sometimes, not always? And why does moving the audio mixer slider up or down always fix it?
    Also: I can’t seem to find a RealTek Audio Manager on my PC. In Control Panel under “Sound” I have RealTek HD Audio as my default device and I can make some adjustments under “Properties,” but no Audio Manager that looks like what you show.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 51
    Windows 10
       #30

    Another indication of this audio spike that I've found to be repeatable consistently, at least right now: Click on the speaker icon on your taskbar, then click on "Mixer," then click on any of the sliders (at this moment I show sliders for iTunes, Firefox, System Sounds and Speaker/Headphones). Just click on a slider, but do NOT move it, then release your click. Do you get an abnormally loud bong? Whether it sounds too loud or not, now click, hold and drag the slider a tiny bit up (which should make it louder). Does the volume of the bong actually DECREASE? That's what's happening on mine.

    This is how I instantly correct the volume spike that occurs after pausing and restarting audio from iTunes or YouTube. Or when an email comes in and the Windows bong is clearly spiked up in volume. So I know what's happening. I just don't know why or how to correct it.
      My Computer


 

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