Can get my speakers/AMP set up to work on new Dell Inspiron

Hi,

Hope someone can help with this. Bought a new Dell Inspiron 15 3501. Came with Win 11 which I've never used before. Have used Windows OS for the last 20+ years though.

Basically I've got 2x100W speakers hooked up via a cheap Lepy2020A AMP (just a 20W AMP I know but it does the job, neighbours and such. Connected to laptop via a 3.5mm jack to jack. Worked perfectly on my old laptop that ran Win 10 but that device bricked out.

I've upadted the sound drivers
I've disabed the Cirrus sound card/rebooted and enabled/rebooted
The amp and speakers work fine on an android phone
The jack to jack works on other devices
Random headphones work after selecting output via volume icon
Bluethooth portable speaker works after selecting output via volume icon
Have a monitor with no built in speakers that I use as an extra screen for work. Even that shows us as a viable audio output on the volume icon.

What am I doing wrong here? Any more info needed just ask. Thanks in advance!

Along with the Dell model specific sound driver (the downloads list both Realtek and Cirrus so verify which you have), Waves MaxxAudio Pro is also needed. Along with other sound functions, MaxxAudio is needed for proper jack detection.

When you connect something to the audio (speaker) jack, MaxxAudio should bring up a panel asking what you plugged in and option to select what you plug in.

On the Dell forums, having (not having) the correct Dell provided sound driver (and MaxxAudio that will only work with the associated Dell sound driver) are an often-posted problem.

Dell (US) downloads for the 3501

Regardless of the popup, if you have installed the proper audio drivers, you should hear sound. If you don't it seems Windows automatically installed incompatible drivers. They show installed and OK in Device Manager, but you hear no sound. I have seen that before. To identify your hardware you can use a utility such as Speccy or Aida64 and then download the proper driver either from Dell (use the Service Tag to make sure you select the correct notebook model) or the sound chip manufacturer. A more advanced way to find the proper drivers, is to right-click on the audio device in Device Manager and go to Properties, then Details. Then select from the list "Hardware IDs". You should see something like VEN xxxx DEV yyyy. Right-click and copy that to the clipboard. Now paste the IDs in Google and you should find some links. For example my Realtek Hight Definition audio device has these IDs: VEN_10EC&DEV_0887&SUBSYS_10438445&REV_1003 (usually VEN and DEV are enough, you don't need the whole string).

spapakons said:

Regardless of the popup, if you have installed the proper audio drivers, you should hear sound. If you don't it seems Windows automatically installed incompatible drivers. They show installed and OK in Device Manager, but you hear no sound. I have seen that before. To identify your hardware you can use a utility such as Speccy or Aida64 and then download the proper driver either from Dell (use the Service Tag to make sure you select the correct notebook model) or the sound chip manufacturer. A more advanced way to find the proper drivers, is to right-click on the audio device in Device Manager and go to Properties, then Details. Then select from the list "Hardware IDs". You should see something like VEN xxxx DEV yyyy. Right-click and copy that to the clipboard. Now paste the IDs in Google and you should find some links. For example my Realtek Hight Definition audio device has these IDs: VEN_10EC&DEV_0887&SUBSYS_10438445&REV_1003 (usually VEN and DEV are enough, you don't need the whole string).

Click to expand...

I work the Dell forums (I am also fireberd there), we find as I previously noted only the correct Dell driver will work properly. And Waves MaxxAudio is also needed and it will only work with the Dell sound driver.

I linked the Downloads for that model in my original post but I agree using Service Tag gets the driver list based on factory configuration.

Hi Both,

Thank you for your replies. Unfortunately I've not managed to get this sorted still.

I installed Waves MaxxAudio and on start up it says the audio driver is out of date, check windows update. I did this before postiung here and the Windows update disabled even the internal speakers. I took it to a shop and it had they had to reinstall the stock Win11 again. They couldn't help me with the issue further though. I was told Win 11 came out recently and not to do the offered Win 11 updates as they are too new and problems will happen.

Below is a pic of the device manager, sound card. Could either of you help me more with this info provided please?! I've asked Dell forums but no answer there. Any help would be VERY much appreciated. Thank you!

As I previously noted, you need the Dell PC model specific sound driver (cirrus in this case) along with MaxxAudio Pro
The Dell Cirrus driver is listed as compatible with Win 10 and Win 11.
Waves MaxxAudio Pro is also listed compatible with both Win 10 and 11.


I don't recall seeing your post on the Dell forum, I'll look for it.

The JBL GO Bluetooth may be conflicting. Remove/disable that until you get the basic PC/Speakers working.

I don't know what/how the PC shop reinstalled, but there is (or was) Dell factory recovery on the system drive that would have restored it to the original factory install. That would have been the best option. Make sure the PC speakers are working BEFORE adding anything. Then check the audio jack, when you plug in something there should be a popup come up asking what you plugged in and giving you option to select what you plugged in (e.g microphone, headset, etc).

First thing you should have done is create the Dell recovery flash drive. Without that F12 at power on (hopefully) will give you recovery options. If not you will have to call Dell support.

I had a look on my inspirin 3501, and it seems the same drivers etc. but no problems with anything, mine was set up in Win10 and then updated to 11 via WU. I have in the past had issues with dell sound drivers and raeltrak I think it was a matter of trying different things and using device manager

Update. After looking at your Dell post it would appear to be a conflict between Waves MaxxAudio Pro and Cirrus sound. I'll flag this to our Dell Rockstar interface.

Best suggestion, if this is returnable, get a different model. Otherwise hopefully there will be a Dell fix, but don't expect it immediately.

fireberd said:

Update. After looking at your Dell post it would appear to be a conflict between Waves MaxxAudio Pro and Cirrus sound. I'll flag this to our Dell Rockstar interface.

Best suggestion, if this is returnable, get a different model. Otherwise hopefully there will be a Dell fix, but don't expect it immediately.

Click to expand...

Thank you!

Would a different amplifier work then?

Btw the JB: Go and monitor are plugged in on that pic but if I unplug them both it wont make a differance