Philips SHX20 In-ear earbuds have a lot of static noise [Realtek]

I just bought these Philips SHX20 earbuds and when they're plugged in they make a lot of static noise (a constant noise). When I turn off the volume it keeps going. The only thing that seems to stop it is disabling the Realtek drivers.

When I plug the earbuds into my phone, the noise isn't there.

I've already tried changing my settings in a lot of ways, messing with the drivers, but nothing seems to work. I've tried using a different driver but the sound keeps going.

It doesn't seem to be noise from my PC because it didn't happen with my other earbuds and like I said before, disabling the drivers makes it stop. Also worth noting is that when I plug them into where the mic would normally go, the noise stops too. But of course, I don't have any sound then.

When I plug the earbuds into my PS4 controller, which I then plug into my PC, the noise stops, but then Chrome is completely silent. (I've tried it out on different sites, I've checked the sound settings, nothing there.) Other programs seem to still work properly, though. But this is a temporary solution anyway. Especially because a lot of games I play can be played with a controller and sound seems to stop working then.

I have another program called Nahimic which also changes the audio, I've tried messing with it and preventing it to boot-up from the task manager. But I've had this program since I first got my PC and never had any problems with it, so I don't see that being the issue.


When I looked around on the internet I found out that something called "PC beep" might be causing this. This could normally be disabled in the device settings but the option isn't there. I think it was changed in an update with Realtek.

Another Solution I found had to do with using Realtek HD audio manager, but I don't seem to have that program and downloading it from the Realtek site doesn't seem to work.

I hope this is enough info. I'm sorry if this is kind of a mess, but I've already tried so many things and asked in so many places, I want to make sure you know what I've tried already and what I haven't tried. Also, English is my second language, so I hope everything is understandable, if not, do ask for clarification.

Thanks in advance.

I got a Koss KE7 Earbuds, 2 Pack from Walmart for $5. Reasonable sound when you consider the cost. :) I use them as emergency backups. But if they also have a hum then I would suspect the connector in your Laptop has an issue.

But before spending money see if you can get someone with a "guinea pig" machine to let you plug your buds into their PC. That should tell you if it's the buds or the connector in your Laptop. If you don't have a bud with a PC or Laptop try the earbuds in a PC at the public library. If they sound normal there then again it's likely a connector issue in the Laptop.

janiekh said:

I just bought these Philips SHX20 earbuds and when they're plugged in they make a lot of static noise (a constant noise). When I turn off the volume it keeps going. The only thing that seems to stop it is disabling the Realtek drivers.

When I plug the earbuds into my phone, the noise isn't there.

I've already tried changing my settings in a lot of ways, messing with the drivers, but nothing seems to work. I've tried using a different driver but the sound keeps going.

It doesn't seem to be noise from my PC because it didn't happen with my other earbuds and like I said before, disabling the drivers makes it stop. Also worth noting is that when I plug them into where the mic would normally go, the noise stops too. But of course, I don't have any sound then.

When I plug the earbuds into my PS4 controller, which I then plug into my PC, the noise stops, but then Chrome is completely silent. (I've tried it out on different sites, I've checked the sound settings, nothing there.) Other programs seem to still work properly, though. But this is a temporary solution anyway. Especially because a lot of games I play can be played with a controller and sound seems to stop working then.

I have another program called Nahimic which also changes the audio, I've tried messing with it and preventing it to boot-up from the task manager. But I've had this program since I first got my PC and never had any problems with it, so I don't see that being the issue.


When I looked around on the internet I found out that something called "PC beep" might be causing this. This could normally be disabled in the device settings but the option isn't there. I think it was changed in an update with Realtek.

Another Solution I found had to do with using Realtek HD audio manager, but I don't seem to have that program and downloading it from the Realtek site doesn't seem to work.

I hope this is enough info. I'm sorry if this is kind of a mess, but I've already tried so many things and asked in so many places, I want to make sure you know what I've tried already and what I haven't tried. Also, English is my second language, so I hope everything is understandable, if not, do ask for clarification.

Thanks in advance.

I've known dust in the headphone socket to cause static/crackling noise when 'phones are plugged in, try blowing compressed air into the socket, wipe 'phones plug & try plugging in 'phones again.