Troubleshooting Audio Issues on the Lenovo Legion 5 Gaming Laptop

As a proud new owner of a Lenovo Legion 5 gaming laptop, I was eager to dive into an immersive audio experience while gaming and streaming. However, I found myself grappling with an unexpected audio problem that has left me perplexed and quite frustrated.

Encountering Unwanted Noise

My new setup features an AMD Ryzen 7 processor, an RTX 3060 graphics card, and a 512 GB SSD. With such impressive specifications, I had high hopes for performance. Unfortunately, shortly after I purchased the laptop, I noticed a persistent crackling and static sound whenever I plugged in my headphones through the 3.5mm audio jack. Whether I was playing music on Spotify or watching videos on YouTube, the interference was disruptive, overshadowing the enjoyment of my audio.

The issue persisted even during startup, especially when applications that utilize sound, like Discord, automatically opened. The crackling sound would linger for an additional 5-10 seconds after pausing the audio, and the volume of this static was significant—about one-third the volume of my music, making it hard to focus.

Troubleshooting Steps Taken

In pursuit of a solution, I implemented several common fixes that I found online:

• Disabling audio enhancements
• Unplugging the charger
• Updating the BIOS

Despite these efforts, the static continued. While I noticed that my Bluetooth headphones functioned without issue, they didn’t meet my sound quality standards as an audio technician. Thus, using my wired Beyerdynamic DT770 headphones became essential. I also tested a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter, which worked flawlessly, further indicating that the problem likely stems from the actual headphone port.

Replacement and Ongoing Issues

After returning the initial laptop to Currys, I received a replacement. However, I was met with disappointment as the same audio issue persisted, although with one notable distinction: the static only occurred when the laptop was plugged in and the WiFi router was operational. Remarkably, if I turned off the router, the static disappeared, indicating a potential interference issue between the laptop’s sound card and the WiFi signal.

It’s disheartening to compare my experience with that of my partner’s laptop, which does not exhibit this behavior, nor does my work laptop, also a Lenovo.

Seeking Insights and Solutions

Has anyone else in the gaming community experienced similar audio issues with the Lenovo Legion 5 or