Troubleshooting Audio Interference on My New Lenovo Legion 5 Gaming Laptop

As an audio technician and avid gamer, I’ve recently encountered a perplexing audio issue with my new Lenovo Legion 5 gaming laptop. With a powerful configuration that includes an AMD Ryzen 7, an RTX 3060, and a 512 GB SSD, I expected a seamless experience. However, the reality has been quite different.

The Audio Problem

After acquiring the laptop and eagerly unboxing it just two weeks ago, I noticed a distinct problem while listening to music on Spotify or watching videos on YouTube. When I plugged in my headphones—specifically, my trusted Beyer DT770s through the 3.5mm jack located on the left side—I was greeted by a persistent crackling and static sound. This annoying interference persisted for a couple of seconds after stopping the playback, and I discovered that it also occurred during startup, especially when Discord automatically launched.

The interference wasn’t just a minor distraction; it was loud enough to be about one-third of my music volume, making it incredibly frustrating to enjoy any form of audio.

Attempted Solutions

In my quest for a resolution, I explored numerous troubleshooting options. I tried disabling audio enhancements, unplugging the charger, and even updating the BIOS—doing everything I could find in various forums and tech support websites.

While using Bluetooth headphones provided some relief, they simply lacked the audio quality I require for my work. To further investigate the problem, I tested my headphones with a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter, which worked perfectly without any static. This indicated that the issue lay specifically with the 3.5mm audio port on the laptop itself.

Exchange and Persistent Issues

After returning the initial unit to Currys for a replacement, I hoped to have a fresh start. Unfortunately, I faced the same audio anomaly. However, there was one peculiar twist: the static sound only emerged when the laptop was plugged into the mains and the WiFi router was operational.

When I deactivated the router while keeping the laptop connected, the static disappeared. However, as soon as I turned the WiFi back on, the interference returned.

Seeking Advice

Has anyone else experienced a similar audio issue with the Lenovo Legion 5 or any other gaming laptops? It’s baffling to see that my partner’s laptop, as well as my work laptop (also a Lenovo), don’t have this problem.

As this situation crosses