Troubleshooting Audio Issues on My New Lenovo Legion 5 Gaming Laptop

As an audio technician, I recently faced a perplexing audio challenge with my new Lenovo Legion 5 gaming laptop. Featuring an AMD Ryzen 7 processor, an RTX 3060 GPU, and a 512 GB SSD, I was excited to enhance my gaming and audio experiences. However, shortly after receiving the laptop, I encountered a significant issue that left me seeking answers.

Upon setting up the laptop, I noticed a persistent crackling and static noise whenever my headphones were plugged into the 3.5mm jack on the left side. This irritation occurred as soon as I started playing music on Spotify or a video on YouTube. Interestingly, the crackling would linger for another 5 to 10 seconds even after pausing the audio, and it also surfaced during startup when apps like Discord, which utilize sound, were automatically launched. The interference was particularly noticeable; the volume wasn’t low, equating to about one-third of my music’s standard level, making it frustratingly distracting.

In my quest for a solution, I tried various fixes I found online. Disabling audio enhancements, unplugging the charger, and updating the BIOS provided no relief. While using Bluetooth headphones worked without any static, the sound quality was not satisfactory for my needs. I needed my Beyerdynamic DT770s to fully embrace my audio work.

As a workaround, I tested a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter, which worked flawlessly, providing clear sound without any interference. This led me to believe that the culprit was likely the built-in 3.5mm audio port.

After deciding that the issue warranted a return, I received a replacement unit from Currys. To my dismay, I found that the static persisted. However, there was one notable difference: static only occurred when the laptop was plugged in and the Wi-Fi router was active. When I turned off the router while the laptop was charging, the static noise disappeared.

I began to question whether I was facing a unique situation or if this was a known issue with the device. My partner’s laptop, as well as my work laptop—both Lenovo models—had no such problems.

Now, I’m left wondering if this laptop is inherently flawed or if I should just return it and consider saving up for another model altogether. Has anyone else experienced similar audio interference issues with their gaming laptops? Your insights might just help me make a more informed decision.